STABLE PATH 

An Equine-Based Wellness and Mentoring Program

A Program of Glenda’s Garden in Partnership with Unicorn Academy PDX

What We Do and How We Do It

Stable Path is an equine-based wellness, mentoring, and experiential learning program created through a partnership between Glenda’s Garden and Unicorn Academy PDX. The program is designed to support confidence, emotional awareness, communication skills, relationship building, self-regulation, and personal growth through structured experiences with horses.

Stable Path is not psychotherapy, counseling, or mental health treatment, and our staff do not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, we create safe, structured experiences where participants learn through interaction, reflection, movement, observation, mentorship, and relationship-building with horses.

Many individuals process and learn differently. Some connect best through movement and experience rather than traditional office settings. Horses naturally respond to body language, movement, energy, and emotional presence, creating opportunities for participants to develop greater awareness of themselves and others.

Our Collaborative Approach

Stable Path combines the expertise of an experienced horse professional through Unicorn Academy PDX with an Equine Connection Coach, allowing participants to receive both equine instruction and guided experiential support.

Unicorn Academy PDX — Equine Trainer and Instructor

Stable Path partners with Unicorn Academy PDX to provide horse instruction, horsemanship education, riding lessons, and equine safety oversight.

Founder and instructor Erica Johnson brings a lifetime of equestrian experience to the program. Raised in the Arabian horse world, Erica competed in multiple equestrian disciplines with high-caliber horses while also participating in 4H, OHSET, trail riding, and recreational horsemanship experiences. She later developed a career specializing in training Arabian horses while also working with a variety of breeds and diverse training situations.

Through Unicorn Academy PDX, Erica created a unique riding and horsemanship program that combines high-level equestrian knowledge with an emphasis on joy, confidence building, and individualized growth.

The foundation of her program includes:

• Horse and rider safety
  • Strong foundations in horsemanship
  • Quality care and ethical treatment of horses                                   
  • Riding instruction and equine education
  • Confidence-building through horse connection
  • Helping each participant discover their own path with horses
  • Creating enjoyable, engaging learning experiences

Her role within Stable Path includes:

• Horse handling and safety instruction
  • Equine body language and behavior education
  • Groundwork and horsemanship skills
  • Riding lessons when appropriate
  • Supervision of closer horse interactions
  • Monitoring horse welfare and participant safety
  • Teaching respectful horse-human relationships

Equine Connection Coach

The Equine Connection Coach facilitates the mentoring, wellness, and experiential learning components of the program.

Certification training includes areas such as:

• Equine psychology and behavioral dynamics
  • Human somatics and nervous system awareness
  • Trauma-informed facilitation
  • Emotional regulation and co-regulation
  • Mindfulness and grounding practices
  • Experiential session design
  • Observation of equine feedback and relational patterns
  • Inclusive and emotionally safe facilitation practices
  • Communication and strengths-based support approaches

The Equine Connection Coach does not provide psychotherapy or clinical treatment. Instead, the role involves guiding activities and reflection that help participants build confidence, increase emotional awareness, strengthen communication skills, and identify personal strengths.

Activities May Include

• Grooming and horse care
  • Guided observation and mindfulness activities
  • Ground-based horse interaction and leading exercises
  • Team-building and communication activities
  • Confidence-building experiences
  • Nature-based grounding practices
  • Goal-setting and reflection exercises
  • Riding lessons when appropriate
  • Group and individual mentoring experiences

Our Philosophy

Stable Path believes meaningful growth happens through authentic connection—with ourselves, with others, with horses, and with the world around us.

We focus on:

• Emotional and physical safety
  • Choice and participant autonomy
  • Respect for both participant and horse
  • Relationship-centered learning
  • Inclusive participation
  • Strength-based growth and encouragement

Our goal is not to “fix” people. Our goal is to create experiences where participants can discover strengths, confidence, connection, and self-awareness in a safe and supportive environment.

Every Person. Every Journey. Every Possibility.