Local & Community
Garner Valley Ranch Helps Adults With Special Needs Build Confidence Through Horsemanship
A Garner Valley ranch is helping adults with special needs discover their abilities and build confidence through a unique approach centered around horses.
At Stepping Stone Ranch, participants learn to lead, groom and connect with horses rather than simply taking traditional riding lessons.
Founder Katie Brown says the experience helps participants develop trust, communication skills, leadership and emotional resilience.
“Animals are healing,” Brown said. “I believe in nature and horses and healing and what they can do, and I hope everyone can have access to that.”
The mission is personal for Brown. She was inspired in part by her older brother, who had special needs, was nonverbal throughout his life and had a strong connection with animals and horses.
Brown also drew inspiration from her mother's work helping women in recovery.
At Stepping Stone Ranch, Brown has created a space focused on connection, belonging and personal growth.
She says working with horses can help people who may not feel comfortable expressing themselves around other people.
“A lot of people might not have the comfort to share a lot with another human,” Brown said, “but they do experience a lot of emotions come out and a lot more comfort being in the presence of horses.”
The skills participants develop at the ranch can extend beyond the barn, giving them greater confidence and abilities they can carry into everyday life.
By: Kai Beech
September 30, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Jadarius Hester with the jump pass TD, 2) Anthony Hodge with the rushing TD, 3) Jayden Ayers with the rushing TD, 4) Jacob Vann with the Saftey, or 5) Jadarius Hester with the rushing TD #hondaofthedesert #fnl #fridaynightlights #fyp #highschoolfootball
Meet Linda from Memphis. 👋 After hours of flight delays at Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), Linda and other stranded passengers found themselves without food vouchers, hotel accommodations or even food options once airport restaurants and vending machines closed. Why were there no food options available at PSP for passengers stranded at the airport last night? Have a similar experience or additional information? Email our newsroom at news@nbcpalmsprings.com.
Passenger at Palm Springs International Airport, Kaitlyn James expresses frustration over airlines communications and operations during the almost 5 hour, nationwide, FAA ground stop #faa #groundstop #continuingcoverage #reactions #localnews
After over 4 hours of fully stopped departures, passengers make their way back to the Palm Springs International Airport after the nationwide ground stop was lifted #groundstop #faa #update #coachellavalley #760
You asked what those 39,000 public records actually uncovered. Here are the receipts. #therogginreport #deserthotsprings #localnews #coachellavalley #nbcpalmsprings
BREAKING NEWS 🚨: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION ISSUES NATIONWIDE GROUND STOP, HALTING DEPARTURES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on our socials and story posts for the latest updates #breakingnews #faa #nbcpalmsprings #groundstop #nationalnews
🎣 The fish are coming to Lake Cahuilla! Watch as Lake Cahuilla is stocked with fish ahead of the community Fishing Derby! A big thank-you to Mark Jernigan, owner of Yellow Mart in Indio, for being a longtime supporter of this special community event. Local businesses like Yellow Mart help keep traditions like this going! Get ready to cast a line and enjoy a great day at the lake! 🐟 #LakeCahuilla #FishingDerby #YellowMart #IndioCA #CoachellaValley #CommunitySupport
FINAL SCORE: FIREBIRDS WIN! 🔥🏒 A 2-1 victory for your Coachella Valley Firebirds tonight! Another hard-fought win, another reason to celebrate in the desert! 🐦🔥 WHO’S READY FOR MORE? 🔥 #Firebirds #CVFirebirds #CoachellaValley #HockeyTown #firebirdswin
🏒 PREGAME WITH TIM O’BRIEN! 🔥 The Firebirds are back on home ice tonight, and Tim O’Brien has the message heading into tonight’s matchup! Coachella Valley is looking to turn things around and defend home ice against the San Jose Barracuda. It’s time to get loud, Firebirds fans! LET’S GO BIRDS! 🔥 📍 Acrisure Arena 🕖 Puck drop: 7 PM #CVFirebirds #OneValley #TimOBrien #Hockey #FirebirdsHockey
289 requests from ONE requester-14x more than anyone else in the city. s That’s 2,200 staff hours and over $100K in wages alone coming straight out of taxpayers pockets. 😳 #therogginreport #deserthotsprings #publicrecords #localnews #nbcpalmsprings