About us

Mighty Minds is a fully inclusive community program, conceived to provide a safe community space that allows children, teens, and adults to be able to show up fully as they are, without judgment, developing better humans through learning positive social interactions in small groups.


We meet each child where they are, offering kids afterschool and weekend classes, tween/teen group classes, enrichment classes, horseback riding lessons, equine-assisted learning sessions for individuals and families, and our amazing Horse Powered Reading® program geared towards struggling readers. By creating and nurturing the relationship between the student and horse - as well as our many other animals - students are able to build confidence and life skills and to encourage personal growth and independence. We also offer amazing equine experiences for adults and families where we work on self-care, a positive mindset, and improved mental health and wellness.


Our space is designed to offer a sense of calm, surrounded by picturesque nature, paired with happy and well-cared-for animals, along with our enthusiastic, caring instructors, teachers, and volunteers, all with the collaborative goal of creating a positive community experience where everyone is welcome and celebrated! 

Meet our Team

Aria Ratliff

Equine Instructor

Fun fact: Aria is an amazing singer.

Mary McQuain

Horse Powered Reading

Fun fact: Mary is a US Navy vet and nearly done with her Ph.D.

Elena Patla

Equine Instructor

Fun fact: Elena is going to U of A for Equine Studies.

Michelle Inez Castaldi Mann

Mindfulness

Fun fact: Michelle runs a monthly women's sacred circle.

Tabitha Broadhead

Farm School Instructor

Fun fact: Tabitha used to work at a zoo.

Emily McArdle

Equine Instructor

Fun fact: Emily has 4 spunky cats.

Rachael Day

Outdoor Learning/Horse Powered Reading

Fun Fact: Rachel's family owns a local pizzeria.

Our Founder - Carrie

Founder Carrie Mizenko has over 30 years of horse and farm experience, including having started the highly successful adaptive riding program Scooter's Place in Washington. She was born and raised on a farm enjoying all the magic that horses can share and learned early on how to be brave, work and play hard, and how to have a love and compassion for all living things. Carrie is a special needs mom learning to embrace autism, apraxia, global delays, epilepsy and ADHD, and knows first-hand the struggles special needs families endure.


Carrie holds a BA in Human Development from Cal State East Bay along with multiple yoga certifications, countless classes on brain/body balance, personal family experience learning about right brain/left brain connections and various healing modalities. Carrie has helped develop multiple successful horse programs, and is passionate about helping our brains and bodies grow and thrive in a farm environment.


Carrie strives to bring all families, specialists. and the community at large together to help support children and adults where they are, improving our mindsets and overall quality of life.

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