Riding a horse can be fun, but it’s also hard work when you have a horse farm and equestrian facility. For owner Elizabeth Meltzer, the work is about far more than maintaining a barn and attending to horses, it’s about creating a space where people feel seen.
Wrenacyn came to be because I felt I was being selfish… I was like, I need to share this with as many people as possible,” says Meltzer.
That desire to share shaped the farm’s mission. What started as a personal passion has grown into a welcoming environment focused on access and inclusion, particularly for people who might not traditionally see themselves in equestrian spaces.
“People who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford horses, people who are neurodivergent, people who have experienced grief and trauma,” Meltzer explains. “And how can we think about every diverse way horses can change lives, we’re really just the conduit.”
For Meltzer, horses are not just athletes and are part of the Wrenacyn family. They are partners in healing. “This is a safe place where all that stuff that’s happened to you, we can heal some of these things. People can be seen here.”
That vision is shared by Assistant Director Kayla Johnson, who also founded the nonprofit Rooted in Unity. Johnson’s connection to horses began when she was young, but access wasn’t easy.
“In my experience… because I was a little Black girl growing up, I had to drive farther out to have a riding experience. So it wasn’t really accessible to me. So that’s when I created Rooted in Unity.”
She met Meltzer in 2021, and the two quickly realized they shared the same goal: bringing diverse communities into the equestrian world.
Rooted in Unity now coordinates and delivers inclusive programming on-site at Wrenacyn, opening the barn doors to riders of all backgrounds.
“It’s just good for your mental wellness,” she explains. “You are really thinking about the connection and partnership that
you have to work with the horse,” explains Johnson.
For experienced riders, Wrenacyn offers lessons, trail rides, saddle clubs and a show team. Yet leaders here emphasize that the benefits extend well beyond competition.
“It’s just good for your mental wellness,” Johnson said. “You are really thinking about the connection and partnership that you have to work with this animal, with the horse,” she said.
The farm is proudly women-led, something both Meltzer and Johnson say matters in an industry often dominated by men. They hope to empower more women and young girls to see themselves in this space.
From trauma recovery to youth empowerment, Wrenacyn’s founders say their work is about kindness and respect and sharing the healing power of horses with as many people as possible.
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