Our Healing Farm

Where Our Story Takes Reins

Hey There,

Im Melissa

I never really planned to start a healing farm—God just met me in the middle of my own hard season and started shaping something I couldn’t see yet. In 2018, My husband Blake and I moved onto forty acres in rural Michigan, excited to build our dream.

But before we could even begin, I was hit with a sudden unknown illness that turned into a four-year battle with Late Stage Lyme Disease. While I fought to regain strength, Blake kept building—steadily tending the land we believed God had entrusted to us.

What I thought would simply be a place to share my health journey slowly grew into something deeper: a Holy Spirit–led horse ministry, gently formed by God through every detour and delay.

My hope is that this place becomes a pasture of renewal for you too. Hard seasons don’t get the final say. I pray you’ll find the peace and wholeness God already has waiting for you.

At Our Healing Farm ministry happens through both people and creation.

  • Founder

    Fueled by coffee, Scripture, and sunshine, Melissa started Our Healing Farm to share a little healing, a lot of laughter, and endless horse hugs.

  • Co-Founder

    Builder, dream-chaser, and chief pasture wrangler—Blake keeps the farm running smoothly, the fences standing tall, and makes the farm—and the ministry—possible every day.

Our horses are a beloved part of this ministry.

Each one carries their own personality, story, and gentle way of helping people connect, slow down, and feel God’s peace. You’ll quickly see why they’re such a treasured part of the farm.

  • Moochie

    A favorite for first-time visitors who need a smile. Often the first to walk up and say hello at the fence.

  • Russell

    Deeply bonded and intuitive. This horse has a way of sensing when someone needs stillness, comfort, or simply a moment not to talk.

  • Boris

    A calm, steady presence. Known for leaning in softly and bringing peace to anxious hearts.

  • Jamie Kokot

    CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER

  • Karl Holland

    SALES MANAGER

Why Horses Are Part of the Healing Process

“Horses remind us that healing isn’t rushed—it’s received.”

Horses have a remarkable way of meeting us exactly where we are. They don’t rush, they don’t judge, and they don’t ask us to be anything other than present. Their stillness invites our stillness, their sensitivity invites our honesty, and their strength reminds us of the strength God is cultivating within us. In their company, we often find clarity we didn’t know we were seeking and a peace we didn’t realize we needed. Horses have a way of reflecting our emotions back to us with grace, helping us slow down, breathe deeply, and lean into the healing work God is already doing in our hearts. They become partners in the process—steady, honest, and quietly life-giving.

The bond between humans and horses is more than just an emotional experience—it’s rooted in science. Horses are incredibly sensitive to human emotions, able to read subtle cues in body language, tone of voice, and even scent. This heightened awareness allows them to mirror our feelings, helping us become more aware of our own emotional states.

Research shows that interacting with horses can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and even improve heart rate variability—a key indicator of emotional regulation. Spending time with horses encourages mindfulness, as they require our full attention and presence in the moment. This focus on being present not only calms the mind but also fosters greater self-awareness and emotional resilience.

Moreover, horses provide immediate, honest feedback. They respond not to our words or intentions, but to our energy and emotional state, creating a safe space for reflection and growth. This gentle mirroring helps us recognize areas of tension, fear, or stress, and invites us to practice patience, trust, and emotional regulation.

The science aligns beautifully with what we experience at Our Healing Farm: horses are natural facilitators of healing, reflection, and connection. Their quiet presence gives us the space to slow down, process emotions, and open ourselves to the transformative work that God is doing within us.

Their presence is a gift — and we’re grateful for the ministry they bring simply by being who God made them to be.

Want To Meet The Horses?

Reserve your spot in the Heart & Herd Experience! We’d love to introduce you to our herd and our team, and share a season of peace and growth together.

Book A Session