Our Story
The Middle Way started in 2018 in an effort to bring quality riding lessons to our small rural community high in the mountains of Colorado. We continue to grow, offering more therapeutic services as well as riding lessons and clinics for all levels of students. In 2021 we joined forces with Big Mountain Wildlife and Animal Sanctuary, established in 2004 by Mary and Sam Calanni. By making The Middle Way a dba of BMWAS, we were able to have the reputation and longevity of Sam and Mary’s decades of work rescuing animals as well as The Middle Way’s social media presence and branding as an accessible, professional, contributor to our community. We started with school horses and an arena at the home of one of our founding members. You can see our original facility in the video on our home page as well as in various pictures throughout our website. This is part of our legacy, helped to make us who we are today. Since then, our mission has continued to expand to include providing sanctuary for horses and then sanctuary and advocacy for America’s wild horses. We had the opportunity to move to 35 acres just outside of town, by the grace of a Middle Way advocate and founding member who stepped in and bought the property when we most needed help. This allowed us to continue building what was started. One of our main goals is to buy this property and expand our resources. It is a beautiful location, flat land surrounded by majestic mountains with unbelievable sunsets. Our farm is open by appointment to meet the horses, learn about mustangs, positive reinforcement training/least invasive minimally aversive methods, volunteer, sign up for services and take lessons.
We NEVER charge veterans for services and strive to provide the highest quality riding lessons and therapeutic services for low to no cost so that no one is ever turned away for inability to pay. We depend on our volunteers and donors for continued success.
Our Board Members
Lori is our esteemed professional instructor. She has decades of experience training and teaching competitive dressage, eventing, and jumping. She has trained with Olympic medalists and loves to share what she’s learned with her able-bodied students as well as her special needs riders.
Lori is certified through PATH, International and has specialized training as an equine specialist. She is a published author and passionate about creating a safe environment for learning and healing with horses.
I have loved horses since before I was born, I think. They have always been my passion. Every year, on my Christmas and birthday lists, on the top was “horse.” Unfortunately, I never got one, but I got to spend a lot of time with them! I started taking horseback riding lessons as a youngster. As I got older, I worked around the barn for free lessons. I have done some fun things like synchronized riding, I have ridden a sulky driven by a racehorse, I have shown horses, English style, jumping. I have worked at a riding stable for a number of summers, leading trail rides. My Dad took to me to see the famous racehorses in Kentucky. My love of horses has never died. I am happiest when I am riding or helping others ride. The mission, vision and values of The Middle Way got to my heart right away. I have been volunteering for 4 years now and I love it!!
I was born in Northern NY and moved to Colorado 40 years ago. I retired from Schmitt & Associates in Denver, Colorado as their office Manager and moved to Fairplay, Colorado. It has always been my dream to move to the mountains and be close to the open space and all that went with it – horses, cattle, the free range, and no traffic and strip malls!
I never was around horses most of my life but always wanted to have more of a connection with these beautiful animals. The Middle Way has given me the chance to not only be around extraordinary horses but has introduced me to women that have a great passion and the talent to work with horses in the wonderful community of Fairplay.
Because of my bookkeeping background I was asked to be secretary for this organization that focuses on offering riding to children and veterans and people that just want to form a bond with horses, making sure no one is turned away due to their inability to pay. This has been an incredible opportunity for me in my journey of retirement!
I live in Michigan, a retired Interpretive Teacher that loves nature and spending time outdoors. I had little experience with horses until I became involved with The Middle Way. We have a son that lives in Denver and my husband Greg and I come to Denver frequently. In 2020 I started to research Mustangs in Colorado so we could see them. That was just before the BLM removed approximately 700 horses from Sandwash Basin and I decided to support a rescue. I chose The Middle Way Sanctuary because of The Painted Ladies. I have mucked, fed ridden, groomed, helped with gentling, put up fences and now financially support them through sponsorship, donations and participation on the Board of Directors. I want to help The Middle Way make a difference in Mustang advocacy, to increase their capacity to rescue more Mustangs which would allow people to benefit from their story of resilience and the bonds they have to their family.
Born and raised on a farm in Iowa, Marilyn has always felt a connection to horses. After moving to Colorado her background in administration and love for the great outdoors translated into a position with Parks and Recreation where she got to work in a historic fort from the 1880s.
But it was the opportunity to work with large groups of people from different cultures that Marilyn learned the power of coming together for a common goal. Working with The Middle Way allows Marilyn to combine her passions and her talents and thrives in this collaborative community that brings about the best possible health and well-being for all involved. After all, we are all interconnected.
Kris Ahlberg - D.V.M.
Kris had her head in the stars before working with horses. She began her professional career as a Data Technician and worked on the Viking, Voyager, and the Hubble Space Telescope before falling in love with the first Akhal Teke horses imported from Turkmenistan to the United States in the 1970s.
In 1991 Kris graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine and soon began working at a large animal practice in California. She then earned her certification in the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. In 1988 Dr. Ahlberg moved back to her home state of Colorado and started Anam Cara Veterinary Acupuncture and Chiropractic. Meaning “soul friend,” Anam Cara seeks the highest standards of alternative veterinary care.
Currently, Dr. Ahlberg’s mobile practice is based in Fairplay, Colorado where she stands a lovely Akhal Teke stallion and maintains a herd of rescue horses. Her dream remains to own camels.
As a military spouse, I have lived many places, but am lucky to now call Hartsel, CO my home. I am an experienced counselor with specialized training in trauma and substance abuse that found my way to The Middle Way by happenstance. I am now combining my knowledge from providing traditional talk therapy with the amazing and unique benefits of horses. It has been wonderful to assist in the process of offering Equine Assisted Psychotherapy to our local community. I greatly value the healing process of humans and horses and I have learned so much from my time spent here as have my own children.