Our Story
The Middle Way started in 2018 in an effort to bring quality therapeutic riding lessons to our small rural community high in the mountains of Colorado. 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 continue to grow into 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 are 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. 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.
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 in equine assisted and trauma informed psychotherapy. She is a published author and passionate about creating a safe environment for learning and healing with horses.
At The Middle Way sanctuary, Lori practices equine assisted therapy based on each individual’s needs. She offers individual and group sessions to help improve our client’s physical, mental and emotional health.
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!
Well, I’ll just go into the beginning. I had just been released to probation, had moved here from downtown Denver and only had my mom and dad to move in with. I was horribly depressed and lost in my own mind. But after I started my probation and was on a medication regimen my head started to clear. My mom got to talking with her friend Julia and she mentioned The Middle Way. About six months after moving up here I started riding at The Middle Way, getting more comfortable with horses. I was terrified of them because I was bit by one when I was like six. They started me with Mökker. The first couple of weeks were rough, but I have a special place in my heart for him. I realized that I have to regulate my emotions around them and just ride to the rhythm of the horse so I asked to do more and started taking care of the sanctuary horses on Kris and Lori’s property, feeding am and pm for a couple years. We got the new property for The Middle Way right next door, so I started doing both the Sanctuary and the lesson horses and then the mustangs too. I was feeding and caring for all of the horses and it would take me about 5 hours each day. Then, when we got more volunteers, I was working every day of the week feeding in the am shift. I kinda started to burn out. I asked to join the board as a veteran representative. I was voted in and still serve in that position to this day. I am the only veteran here as a volunteer and a rider. I’m trying to market The Middle Way to everyone around us in order to get the word out and have more veterans get the help I did.
I have always been an animal lover and as a child I would often spend my time out in nature. Shortly after moving 6 years ago to the beautiful mountains of Park County I met a group of women that were part of a horse sanctuary called The Middle Way.
Now, I do not have much experience with horses but having worked in the health field in different therapeutic aspects for many years, I was drawn to the Middle Way because of their dedication to caring for horses in need and the therapeutic horsemanship that they provide. The connection between horse and human and the positive changes that can come from that, for both horse and human continue to amaze me. I am honored to be part of this non-profit and to work with the wonderful group of people that all help to make The Middle Way a true sanctuary.
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.
Stephanie Tucker, M.Ed., LPC, LAC
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.