A little girl petting the face of a horse.

Discover Our Mission

At Deer Run Ranch Equine Connection, our mission is to harness the transformative power of the calmness of horses in our equine therapy programs to enhance the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals in Tennessee. Our commitment to providing meaningful equine experiences is evident in every aspect of our services.

Community Impact

The impact of our equine mental health therapy extends beyond the individual, touching families and the local community. Through tailored programs and community engagement, Deer Run Ranch Equine Connection strives to create lasting change and promote mental health awareness.

A donkey and a girl in a riding helmet.

Meet the Herd...

Deer Run Ranch is home to rescued horses and donkeys who enjoy the good life now, with plenty of food and large pastures, and are loved unconditionally.

A horse standing in the hay inside of its stall.

Gracie AKA Miss Grace

Gracie is the OG of Deer Run Ranch. She is a Saddlebred horse breed and was an Amish work horse who was abandoned at a sale barn. She has a very sweet personality, is first to greet at the fence and loves a good scratching.

Valentine AKA Val

Valentine is a Tennesse Walking horse with a big peppy personality. She absolutely adores peppermint cookie treats and will be your instant friend when you give her some. Valentine cannot be ridden due to an injury to her spine when being trained for the Big Lick competition. Val is a friend to all the horses and has never let her physical limitations stop her.

A horse in the stable looking at something.
A horse standing next to the side of its fence.

Polly

One word to describe Polly is “Chill”. She is a quarter horse who was a former lesson horse. She is very easy going and calm with people and loves a good brushing. Polly is the newest addition to Deer Run Ranch and her confident nature has enabled her to have a leadership role with the rest of the herd.

Tommy AKA Mr. Peepers

Tommy is a standard donkey and the biggest sweetheart. He came to Deer Run Ranch with his friend Gracie. Like his nick name implies Tom is very curious and you often find him peering around watching what you are doing around the barn. Tommy is still very shy but when you win his trust he will be your best buddy.

A donkey standing in the middle of a wooden fence.
A donkey is walking in the dirt near a fence.

Albert

Albert in a beautiful brown and white donkey. He is very clever and often looks like he is deep in thought. Albert loves to cozy up to you so you will give him some gentle rubs on his side. He and his buddy Tommy can often be seen chasing each other through the pastures.

Join Us

Discover the healing power of equine therapy at Deer Run Ranch Equine Connection. Contact us to learn more about how you can benefit from our programs.