Our Team

Boardmember Dennis Bigelow &
Director & Boardmember Rebecca “Becki” Bigelow

   Dennis, a Navy Veteran and his wife Becki have made the vision of acquiring Reining Liberty Ranch a reality. They have both invested an immense amount of time, sweat and heart into the start-up of this ranch with the vision to have it become a legacy farm for Veterans and their families. Becki understood the amazing connection that can happen between humans and horses when her horse personally helped her through some very difficult events while growing up. She felt led to retire from her job to pursue her passion in getting involved with Therapeutic Horseback Riding.

Boardmember & Veteran: Bruce Messer

   Bruce, an Air Force veteran, joined the Reining Liberty Ranch team as a ranch chore volunteer in 2015.  Wanting to serve his fellow veterans after retiring from the Air Force, Bruce brought his talents, high energy and enthusiasm to Reining Liberty Ranch and now serves on its Board of Directors, Administrative work committees and continues working on various ranch chores and programs.  Bruce has degrees from the University of Michigan and Saginaw Valley State University.  He is a Licensed Master Social Worker.

Boardmember: Ron Smith

Boardmember: Vicky Hayes

Grand Traverse Horses 4 Heroes Instructor, Board Member: Jennifer Lee

As I think about the paths in life the Lord has led me down as he prepared me for this mission to help people find healing through relationships with horses, I am amazed because I too have found a healing and a passion I never knew existed. Many years ago our family adopted some of our children through the foster care system. Some of our children  came with some significant emotional issues, learning challenges and other special needs. Having missed the formative years of nurturing in a loving family they displayed some very extreme behavior issues. I had served as the Director and Horse Manager of Horse North Rescue for 7 years. During that time I developed my Natural Horsemanship skills through clinics, classes, videos and most of all hands on experience with hundreds of rescue horses. The children and I participated in the daily care of the rescue horses together. We began to realize how correct care and nurturing was the catalyst to begin  healing these broken animals. These experiences helped our children empathize with the abuse and neglect some of these horses had endured. They began to learn to show compassion for the animals that were now under our care. Many conversations arose that helped the children begin to verbalize their own emotions about their past abuse and neglect. We watched as healing began to come to the children and the rescue horses simultaneously. I began to realize the life changing value of all types of equine assisted learning experiences with our children and decided to make the transition from rescuing horses to getting more involved in using relationships built with horses to help people heal. So my path changed from rescuing horses to pursuing teaching “Relational Horsemanship”. Horses are an amazing mirror for people. They offer instant feedback to our actions, emotions and intentions. Horses communicate non-verbally. Using body language they respond to the slightest suggestions within the herd. I am excited to bring my experience in working with horses and my passion for teaching Horsemanship to Reining Liberty Ranch. Our family has experienced first hand the healing that can come to both (horses and humans) who have had the opportunity to experience human and equine relationships. It is a relationship built on trust, fair expectations and clear communication. It is an incredible feeling to have a 1200 lb animal choose to be with you, not because you force them to, or even because you have a lead rope on them, but simply because of the relationship you have formed with them and the leadership they see in you.

Stable Lead: Dennis Bigelow