Hands On Harmony

BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center BraveHearts brings hope, joy and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse.

𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵

Join us tonight via zoom at 7:00pm to discuss the Michigan Horse Council's Youth Program. We have some very excited additions and changes in the works. You will not want to miss being apart of this amazing organization!
Zoom Registration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtduGrpz8uGND_6Ah71Lp83FookHzGk05u

Love you Julie!!

𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘭 𝘝𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩 Julie Essenburg Vruggink

Julie was born in Bozeman, Montana, so it’s no surprise that she loves the outdoors!

She is currently the Ranch Manager at D-Bar-A Ranch in Metamora, MI., a 1700-acre ranch that offers camping, horseback riding, trails galore and much more!

Prior to her work at the Ranch, Julie was the Program Director at the Equine Center for
Learning (formerly known as Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center). She was able to build curriculum and programming to support students, pre-k through highschool. The center became an equine assisted, experiential learning facility under her direction.
She has also built extensive community partnerships, creating opportunities for work-
based learning, internships (including field work at the collegiate level), volunteer groups and projects relevant to need. In addition, Michigan State’s school of veterinary medicine now partners with the center to provide labs for student learning.
Prior to her work at the Equine Center for Learning, she was a Learning and Education
Specialist/Human Resources Manager and has experience in operations and facilities
management.

Her experience with horses began as a child on a Morgan horse farm. The owners of the farm allowed her to groom and ride their prize show horses, which is where her heart became attached to the equine world.

Julie’s profound love of horses and kids has built a drive in her, to connect the two beings. Equine assisted Learning, riding and therapy are at the heart of her work, as well as creating opportunities for youth who do not have access to ride or interact with horses, much like her own experience.

Julie is also a Continuous Quality Improvement Academy graduate and certified trainer with Partners in Leadership. She serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Michigan Horse Council and Youth Chair.

Julie enjoys trail riding, gardening, cooking, and people!

Update from State Vet Want to know how to contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development? On this page you will find phone numbers, email addresses, snail mail addresses, and online contact forms for everything we do here at MDARD. We even have a complaint form for those of you with complaints.