The Founder/CEO, Sandra Mahoney   

Horses have been part of her life since she was 8 years old, with learning to train horses, shows, parades, barrel racing and just enjoying life with horse as a child. She understood how her horses centered her as a young lady and wanted to bring this “magic” to other people.

Fast forward a few years--- She received a degree in Psychology, became certified in PATH Intl as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health. Certified in OK Corral Series with Greg Kerstin.

Founder of BJP Youth Ranch Therapeutic riding program.        

 Equine Director for The Painted Turtle camp, a Paul Newman camp.    

Program Director of Spirit Ridge Equine Center, where she worked with Beck Pride Center assisting Veterans using EAP and the founder of the Special Olympics Equestrian of Tehachapi.

She has now moved to Lucerne Valley, CA and wanted to provide the “magic” of horses to her new community.

My husband, Kevin is the Co- Founder of the ranch. Without his tireless and devoted work on building the stalls and the other many projects on the ranch to better the lives of our rescue horses.  We would not be in place today to offer our services starting in May 2024 without Kevin!

We are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.  All donations are tax deductible. 

Meet Our Horses

At Can You Dig It Ranch, each of our horses has a story of resilience and hope. These incredible animals are not just companions—they are partners in healing, growth, and learning for the people we serve.

• Breed: Arabian gelding
   
• Age: ~7 years old
   
• Story: Rescued from Arizona, Spirit arrived underweight and without much training. With patience and love, he is now learning how to be a riding horse and is thriving as part of our herd.
   

• Breed: Andalusian gelding
   
• Age: 22 years old
   
• Story: Also a rescue, Onyx is blind in one eye, has melanomas, and an old knee injury. Despite his challenges, he surprises us every day—he even knows the Spanish Walk! He is now trained to pull a cart and carriage.

• Breed: Miniature horse mare
   
• Story: Rescued from Texas, Mistee quickly became part of the family, forming a special bond with Spirit. She loves carrots and has brought joy to everyone she meets.
   
• Special Care: In March 2025, Mistee was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. She now requires daily medication, costing about $100 per month. Sponsorships and donations toward her care would mean the world and help her live a happy, healthy life.
• 
  

🌟Raina- 

• A 11 year old black bay Welsh pony mare. She loves people and her story is she was a pony ride pony, she has only been here 3 weeks and seems to be settling in
   

Your support directly impacts the health and happiness of our horses, and in turn, the people they help.

• Bermuda Hay: $240/month
   
• Rice Bran: $80/month
   
• Beet Pulp: $80/month
   
• Multi-Fly (feed-through): 4 bags per year
   

Any donation—large or small—goes directly to the care of our herd.

We are growing

 and need help making the ranch an even better healing space. Our current goals include:
 

Replacing our back fence with solid fencing (to reduce wind and improve comfort)

Indoor Arena

To make a more comfortable, safe and year round accessible sessions 

3/4 Ton or 1 Ton Pickup to be able to pull our big horse trailer.
Our F-150 is struggling to do the safe and correct job.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all donations are tax-deductible. We gratefully accept:

• Monetary donations
   
• Feed and supplies
   
• Equipment or building materials
   

🙏 Thank you for supporting our horses, our programs, and the people we serve. May a higher power bless you and yours.

 What is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)?

Equine Therapy is a powerful and effective approach that impacts individuals, families, and groups in meaningful ways.
Today, more than ever, people face conflict, uncertainty, and personal challenges in their day-to-day lives. At Can You Dig It Ranch, we use the human–equine connection to promote:

• Self-awareness
   
• Positive choices
   
• Accepting consequences
   
• Behavior modification
   

All of these lead to healthier relationships and living to one’s full potential.

Many people—especially children—struggle to recognize or express their emotions. Our horses act as non-threatening partners in communication, allowing clients to explore feelings and behaviors in a safe and supportive environment.

Because horses are sensitive, intuitive, and live in the moment, they respond honestly to human energy and intention. Their reactions provide instant feedback that helps participants recognize patterns, explore challenges, and develop new ways of responding.

In Equine Assisted Activities (EAA), participants engage in hands-on experiences with horses, then process and discuss their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a trained facilitator or therapist.

Some key principles of experiential education at our ranch include:

• Learning through carefully chosen experiences, supported by reflection and critical analysis
   
• Taking initiative, making decisions, and being accountable for results
   
• Learning from natural consequences, mistakes, and successes
   
• Engaging the whole self—intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically
   
• Developing problem-solving, responsibility, creativity, and curiosity
   

Every session is unique, depending on where participants are in their emotional development. Sometimes they gain one piece of the puzzle, and sometimes they put the entire picture together.

Horses are living, breathing, sentient beings. With their grace and presence, they:

• Reflect our energy, intention, and movement
   
• Provide honest, non-judgmental feedback
   
• Enhance self-discovery and personal growth
   
• Empower us to create lasting change
   

At Can You Dig It Ranch, we are honored to partner with horses in this life-changing work and look forward to walking alongside you on your journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery.

Sandra Mahoney, Founder, ESMH, TRI
📍 Can You Dig It Ranch

Kevin is very excited about offering rock cutting and polishing classes for the non- participants or general public in the near future.

Custom made jewelry, He is willing to teach jewelry making classes from silver work, rock carving to casting.

 We have machines to polish rocks, faceting machine to learn how to cut the little facets, like in a diamond. Large rock cutting saws to smaller rock cutting saws.

All classes or any rock cutting is by appointment only. Class prices vary on what is being taught.

Rock cutting prices vary on what is to be worked on.

We also have finished unique jewelry -pieces available, ready to pick up and enjoy.

Please e-mail canyoudigitjewelry@gmail.com or call 951-314-2092 

  What we offer:

Team building programs EAL for businesses or groups, maximum of 10 people a session.      

EAL (Equine Assisted Learning) & EAP (Equine Assisted Psychotherapy) for adults, families, children and Veterans.

School field trip program

Please contact us to make your appointment.

If you are interested in a demonstration, please contact Sandra and she will be happy to set one up for your group.

Groups:

  Up to 10 people for team building session

Please call to schedule

Discovery  

 $65 per person, .    

 *Equine Assisted Learning Session     

*Certified Equine Assisted Learning  Instructors    

 *Two exercises; approximately 2.5  hours     

*Use of Horses, all equipment and  materials    

 *Light morning refreshments and water 

Quantum Leap Session:

 $100 per person 

 *Equine Assisted Learning Session     

*Certified Equine Assisted Learning  Instructors    

 *Two exercises; approximately 3-4  hours     

*Use of Horses, all equipment and  materials    

 *Light morning refreshments and water 

 (includes lunch and access to a breakout area afterwards)

Individuals/Families:

Please call to schedule

Now offering Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Horsemanship Badges class.

 Class will be held on Saturdays by appointment, the cost is $50 per person for a day long class.  Limited to 10 scouts a day.

Troop leaders please call to schedule.

Donations: If you would be interested in donating for a person or family for a single session or multiple session's we would appreciate it.

We are a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.  All donations are tax deductible. 

EIN # 93-4543955

We have our miniature horse now, a little Bay mare named Mistee. She was a rescue from Texas. 

Mistee is starting to settle down and become part of our family here. With love and patience, she has realized that carrots are the best treats and her new "family" is not so bad. She and Spirit have become buddies. Mistee in a short amount of time is a very vital part of our crew.

Mistee is doing well, she was in our 4th of July parade and the Apple Valley parade sporting her harness. She is in the process in learning how to pull a cart

 However, as of March 2025, Mistee has been diagnosed with Cushing’s disease. While there’s no cure, she is starting a new medication that costs $100 per month to help her feel better and manage the disease. If anyone is interested in sponsoring Mistee and supporting her ongoing care, it would be greatly appreciated! Your generosity would help ensure that Mistee continues to live a happy and healthy life.