Desert Sky Equine Connection

Smiling woman with a horse outdoors, wearing a teal sweater and jeans, holding a colorful rope lead.

I am Angie Given Smith, the founder of Desert Sky Equine Connection, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and a lifelong resident of this community. As an EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist, I am dedicated to offering individuals the unique opportunity to engage in Equine Assisted Services. My work is centered on helping people connect with their inner selves and experience personal growth through meaningful interactions with horses. By providing these experiences, we aim to empower individuals to overcome challenges, build confidence, and enhance their overall well-being in a supportive and nurturing environment. Since 2016, I have co-facilitated countless individual, family, and group sessions, dedicated to serving our community.

My private facility is situated on a serene five-acre ranch along the Virgin River in Washington, Utah. This tranquil setting, combined with the presence of my herd of six horses, creates an ideal atmosphere for self-discovery. At Desert Sky Equine Connection, we believe in the profound impact that horses can have on personal development and emotional healing.

I also collaborate with local mental health professionals to offer Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to individuals or groups in our community.

Vision & Mission

Smiling woman with a horse outdoors, wearing a white shirt and jeans

Our Vision

To collaborate with local agencies to expand our outreach and connect with more individuals in the community. We aspire to build strong partnerships that enhance accessibility to our equine-assisted services, ultimately aiming to provide sessions at little to no cost for participants. By raising funds and generating support, we seek to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background or financial circumstances, has the opportunity to benefit from the unique healing power of the human-horse connection.

Our Mission

To provide a unique opportunity for individuals to experience transformative healing through the powerful connection that occurs between humans and horses.

The Therapeutic Power of Horses

Non-Judgmental Reflection

Horses mirror human emotions and behaviors without judgment, allowing individuals to gain insight into their feelings and actions.

Emotional Regulation

Interacting with horses can help individuals learn to manage and regulate emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Building Trust and Relationships

Working with horses helps individuals develop trust, improve communication skills, and build healthy relationships.

Physical Activity

The physical aspect of working with horses can improve mood and overall well-being while promoting physical exercise and movement.

About Eagala

Woman standing in a field with five horses and a pony, surrounded by trees and a rural backdrop.

Eagala is an evidence based, globally recognized therapeutic model. It is a ground-based therapy–there is no riding of the horses. This allows the horses to be themselves and have the freedom to make their choices.

The goal is not to teach riding or horsemanship but to provide an opportunity for the client’s life stories to unfold metaphorically. The horses play powerful characters in this narrative by revealing relationship dynamics or other symbolic aspects of life. Because horses are free to move, they can create shifts in the client’s stories and bring about awareness and change.

The horses are part of the team, and it’s one of the dynamics that makes Eagala certified professionals sessions so powerful.

The intuitive, non-judgmental presence of the horses helps to create a dynamic therapeutic environment.

Desert Sky Equine Connection