May 2023
Most people know Jen Sink as the proprietor of Omar’s Restaurant and Bar, but in her second life she’s also the owner/operator of Horse Haven Trails, an equine facility at Rising Hope Stables (2007 East Hills Drive in Ashland).
“We offer trail rides through the Cascade National Monument just 15 miles outside of Ashland,” Jen said. “We have horses to fit all riding abilities for ages 7 and older, weighing under 250 lbs. We offer beginner horse riding lessons for all ages, as well as birthday parties at Rising Hope Stables.”
Jen grew up in a small town on the Mendocino Coast. “Being raised by a single mom, and wanting a horse of my own, I volunteered at a Ricochet Ridge Ranch in Cleone, California,” she said. “I would spend every weekend cleaning stalls and grooming horses just to be around them. As I got older and more experienced, I was able to be a back-up guide taking people on trail rides on the coast, in the Redwoods and over the sand dunes.”
Jen came to Oregon to pursue a restaurant career in 2001. “Sadly, I left behind my beloved barn and volunteer job with the horses,” she said. “After many years of my focus being on my business, I realized I was missing a very important part of my life. In 2015, I began to lease a horse from Rising Hope Stables, re-entering the horse world. Since then, I reclaimed my horse adventures and in 2021 opened Horse Haven Trails, where I teach beginning horseback riding lessons, coaching the Ashland High School equestrian team, and offering equine therapy, trail rides, and pony parties.”
And then, of course, there’s always the value in connecting with horses.
“My hope and plan is to open my own facility to include equine therapy, which is an experiential treatment method that uses the connection between people and horses to enhance physical or emotional healing,” Jen said. “There are several different forms of equine-related therapy. Some conditions or disorders that respond well to EAP or related equine-assisted therapies include: substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress, trauma, eating disorders, behavior disorders, traumatic brain injury, dementia, learning challenges, ADD/ADHD, autism, Asperger’s, and Down Syndrome.”
According to Jen, horses can see through all that. “Horses feel both their own feelings and yours, too,” she said. “They feel anger, jealousy, sadness, loss, joy, happiness, and ‘the blues,’ and are capable of developing very deep bonds with the right person. At Horse Haven Trails, our horses are our family. We recognize their need for play, exploration, and down time for their happiness, just like us.”
For more information, the phone number is 541-821-2942, or you can email at horsehaventrails@gmail.com. You can also see them on Facebook.
