FAIRVIEW — A lifelong love of horses led Tina Swanson to open Lantern Lighter Ranch on Waymor Highway in jap Guernsey County.
The brand new enterprise presents horse using classes and applications for novice to skilled riders of all ages.
“I’ve been a horse proprietor for 23 years and I have been educating and working equine applications for greater than 10 years,” stated Swanson. “I’ve been a rodeo mother and a 4-H mother for horses, goats and hogs.
“My mission right here on the ranch is to show a protected expertise with horses whereas having enjoyable. The imaginative and prescient is creating a spot away from the day by day distractions for individuals who search high quality equine time.”
A Licensed Horsemanship Affiliation and Equine Assisted Studying licensed teacher, Swanson stated her values embody security first, respect and duty, dedication to communication and having enjoyable.
The daughter of a cattle farmer, Swanson did not personal a horse till she was grown with a daughter of her personal, however now she is making up for misplaced time.
“I put my goals on maintain whereas I used to be a stay-at-home mother, and it wasn’t till later that I received my first horse with my daughter, Kristina,” stated Swanson.
Her huge break into the world of educating individuals about horses and how you can experience — so to talk — got here when she settle for a job at Camp Wanake in Seaside Metropolis.
Extra particularly, Swanson’s break got here after the camp, which had its personal ranch, misplaced the ranch workers. A housekeeper, she was requested if she needed to take over the ranch.
“They suggested me they wanted a ranch supervisor and needed to know if I needed the job,” recalled Swanson.
After accepting the place, Swanson spent eight years at Camp Wanake creating horse-related applications and hiring workers, a few of which have helped her at Lantern Lighter Ranch.
“All of them name to examine how I am doing and what I want,” stated Swanson.
However then got here a name for assist. The decision that led the Swansons to Guernsey County.
“Mother referred to as and stated she wanted assist with Dad,” stated Swanson. “He was affected by dementia.”
Her mother and late father, who died in August, had owned land on Waymor Highway for 27 years.
So, in August 2020, Swanson and her husband, Tom, moved to the land they now name dwelling, bringing with them eight horses and two miniature horses.
“We had two horses and the ranch at Camp Wanake closed, so I used to be capable of deliver 4 horses and two miniature horses from there, with me,” stated Swanson. “My youngest daughter, Tiffany, donated two extra horses, so now we’ve got eight huge horses and the 2 miniatures on the ranch.”
The primary winter on the brand new land created some obstacles transferring the horses across the property, nevertheless it additionally revealed a number of surprises.
“Dad had cows earlier than he received sick and we had been amazed to discover a highway he had constructed up the hill and a number of other four-wheeler paths,” recalled Swanson. “We additionally discovered objects to construct the world — Dad’s little treasures that had been discovered throughout the land.
“Dad liked this land and I feel he could be thrilled to see what we’ve got finished. It is a pleasure to recollect the thrill he had and we’re excited concerning the potential right here.”
In time, Swanson wish to construct a tack room on the area and a pair small cabins for people collaborating in applications on the ranch. She can also be trying to construct mountaineering trails within the foothills on the land.
Swanson credit Tom for constructing and sustaining the fences whereas she runs the day-to-day operations. Her mother and her aunt and uncle have donated a number of objects alongside along with her buddies.
“Mother has at all times been very supportive and inspired my goals,” stated Swanson. “The help of my household and buddies, in addition to my former workers on the camp, have been nice.”
As an authorized horse teacher, Swanson stated she nonetheless likes to be taught, particularly about horses and educating others about horses.
“From watching movies to clinics, I need to proceed to develop so I may also help my college students grown,” she stated.
The ranch will host particular occasions throughout the fall and at Christmas.
“I’m actually trying ahead to being part of the group,” stated Swanson. “I hope this shall be a spot that may deliver households collectively to attach.”
For extra info, name or textual content Tina at 740-260-6425, or e mail her at tinaswanson0227@gmail.com.
Classes and applications provided at Lantern Lighter Ranch embody:
- Driving classes — Specializing in newbie riders ages 9 by way of grownup. Classes happen throughout the afternoon Tuesday by way of Friday and run in four-week classes. Members take pleasure in horses by way of protected horsemanship classes together with speaking with the horse, caring for and using horses, tack and grooming, lead and rather more.
- Homeschool horsemanship sequence — Members age 9 to 17 be taught herd dynamics, farm administration, animal care, western using tools, horse colours and markings, breeds, fundamental horse first assist together with minor ailments, hoof care and dealing with, grooming and rather more. Periods are 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays or Wednesdays and house is restricted.
- Step Into the Gentle of Grace (Girls Day) — The five-hour classes on Saturdays embody classes (floor and using), private progress improvement, workforce constructing and extra. Members can refresh and renew their thoughts, physique, soul and spirit with horses and inspiration.
- Let it Shine private improvement — A private progress and improvement program utilizing assistance from horses. The 90-minute groundwork session builds confidence and readability for seven weeks. Supplied for ages 15 and older, classes are often non-public except the participant needs to deliver a partner, member of the family or pal. The religion-based program teaches grooming and security, intention, communication, vitality and belief, stress, connection and main.
- Horsemanship Luminizing Extras — Members age 9 to 17 be taught conformation, colours and markings, breeds, horse components, tack components, hoof and hoof care, herd dynamics, taking vitals, grooming, worming, minor first assist, foot fall patterns and grains and minerals whereas making new buddies or having enjoyable with different people who share an curiosity in horses. The category is obtainable on Saturdays from 4 to five:30 p.m.
- Horse Journey Day — Age 9 to 17 be taught grooming, main, using, video games on horseback, saddle sports activities, bridle components, colour markings, conformation, horse care, hoof care and rather more throughout four-hour classes over the course of 4 days.
- Fairly Pony — The 45-minute classes for kids age 7 to 11 and a dad or mum can be found from 9 a.m. to midday. Members will groom and embellish horses along with taking part in video games. Area is restricted to 3 pairs (dad or mum/little one) and members ought to deliver a sack brunch for a picnic previous to leaving. Pupil solely groom and video games for ages 9 to 17 years are additionally out there from 1:30 to five:30 p.m.
- It Solely Takes a Spark — An introduction to horsemanship for horse lovers age 9 to grownup that features 60-minute classes that includes protected dealing with and grooming, resulting in construct a bond, and a primary experience with mount, cease, go, flip and communication directions.
