Welcome To Barnum Equestrian Center

Welcome to a place where horses and humans choose to work together, building relationships, growing and learning in harmony.  We are located 20 minutes south of Des Moine just outside Indianola IA.
We offer a variety of Equine Assisted Services -Mental, Emotional, Social & Spiritual Health services for individuals or groups. Come for yourself or gather a group of friends.  Deepen your spiritual walk or improve mental, emotional & social health with the guidance of our herd and trained & certified human partners.

Connected Horsemanship Lessons

For those looking to learn how to truly put the relationship first with your horse.

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REAL Connections Groups

For anyone who wants to learn to put relationship building first in your Personal life, Family, Church or Corporate teams.

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Mental Health Therapy Sessions

with Licensed Mental Health Professionals.  We partner with the following,  trauma informed,  local Licensed Mental Health providers.

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REAL Connections Retreats

for personal wellness or corporate health.

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Summer Camp for Youth and Families

We have witnessed campers being shaped through meaningful worship, fun & fellowship. Many have become faithful leaders for today & tomorrow.

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Barnum Center Staff

Barnum Center is guided by a dedicated team of part time staff, instructors and volunteers. You will experience an encouraging atmosphere where all are welcome to explore and grow physically, mentally and spiritually. Come meet the team and learn how horses can change lives.

Laura Hutler
Is the Barn Team Leader. Her passion for life-long learning is driven by thirty years of experience creating engaging outdoor and adventure programs for dynamic populations. She coaches solid natural horsemanship skills and foundations for healthy relationships, in the saddle and on the ground. Laura is a CHA and PATH certified instructor
Beth Burgmeyer, LMHC
Beth Burgmeyer loves sharing her knowledge and love of horses with others. Beth is passionate about helping people form healthy relationships with horses so they can find true connection and partnership. She has seen and experienced how life changing and healing our bond with horses can be. Beth is dual certified in Natural Lifemanship as a Mental Health Counselor and Equine Professional. She is also a certified riding instructor with the Certified Horsemanship Association. Beth offers equine assisted psychotherapy, equine assisted learning, connected horsemanshio lessons, groups and retreats.
Nita Chaplin
Brings a lifelong passion for ministry and working with youth and those with special needs. Nita’s former certification with AHSA helps her coach beginning riders to achieve balance in the saddle, in life and along their horsemanship journey.
Myah Cecot
A free spirit with a passion for horses. She’s loved horses all her life, but her true equestrian journey didn’t start until she began volunteering at the Wesley Woods, Barnum Equestrian Center in the winter of 2017. Since then she has been developing her horsemanship skills, become a certified equine massage therapist and enjoys teaching others about camp and horses.
Volunteers
We could not exist without the dedicated support of our volunteers! Volunteers receive training sessions covering barn safety, horse safety, mounting and dismounting assistance procedures, horse handling techniques, and incident prevention. All Volunteers are background checked.  Volunteers must be 16 years or older.  Minors age 13 – 16 who would like to volunteer must bring an adult volunteer/mentor who is willing to be trained and word side by side with them.