Horse-Assisted Therapy Ranch Pays Tribute To Lost Loved Ones

LOCKPORT, IL — A new horse-assisted therapy ranch opened in Lockport earlier this year, and recently held a dedication ceremony. Sandi Moleski, owner of the Legacy Ranch in Lockport, was inspired by her late father and her late friend when naming the ranch. Her friend, Anne Swaney, was murdered in 2016 on a horseback riding trip in Belize.

"So, in memory of my Dad, who taught me the love of horses, and my friend Anne, who deserved a living legacy, we named the business, The Legacy Ranch. It’s their legacy."

The foundation's mission, Moleski said, was to raise funds and volunteer with horse-assisted programs in the Chicago area.

"In researching facilities to partner with that provided these types of services, we found that most were hours outside of the city and very few provided a full-suite of services," Moleski said. "Many only dabbled in therapeutic riding while their primary focus was something other than therapeutic."

Moleski's goal was to offer an ADA-certified facility that also provided mental health, occupational, physical and speech therapies, as well as a Therapeutic Riding program.

"The Legacy Ranch was built to fulfill this need," she said.

Moleski said she and her husband searched for land that would be appropriate for horses, accessible for families from the highways and close to their home. They found property in Lockport, and the ranch is located at 2705 S Farrell Road.

"This property in Lockport was perfect for us. Our neighbors and community have been so supportive, we are thrilled to be part of the Lockport community," she said.

Moleski said there are currently 10 horses at the facility. The horses range from miniature horses and ponies up to a Clydesdale cross. Most of the horses are rescue animals.

"We use a wide variety of horse breeds to fit the different needs and sizes of our riders," she said.

Moleski said equine-assisted therapy can work for many types of people for a variety of situations. Physically, it helps with core strength, control and mobility; and for emotional or mental health, horses require you to engage and "focus in the moment."

"Horses are non-judgmental. They don’t care how you look or what you’ve experienced in the past," she said. "They take each individual and react directly to the energy and emotion that each participant gives in that moment."

The Legacy Ranch offers occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, mental health therapy, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy, riding lessons, corporate team building and parties and events.