Meet The Team
A day without a horse is like breathing without air.
Meet Marianne & Joe
Founders & Certified Equine Assisted Learning Facilitators
Marianne grew up in a small town located in Salisbury, Massachusetts on the New Hampshire border. She developed a passion for horses at very young age living next to a horse farm and was working with the horses every chance she could get! She was lucky enough to have her first horse Queen Bonnie, a Standardbred Trotter when she was 13 years old.
After a 20 year separation from horses and owning her own embroidery/silk screening business, Marianne and her husband Joe knew they needed to get back to their roots and follow their hearts. They decided to purchase a small farm in Salisbury in 2006 that is now known as the Lazy J Ranch.
After many hours of building stalls, running fencing, and making paddocks, they turned it into a beautiful place for their horses and other animals. In 2008, they brought home Stretch, the very first member of the Lazy J herd and one of the Horses Healing Hearts teachers.
Marianne spent 5 years working at a local social service agency called, The Pettengill House, in her early 20’s working with youth and families in her community. Marianne’s exposure to horses at a very young age and reunion into the horse world back in 2006 has given her first-hand knowledge of how effective they can be in the role of teacher given the different personalities they possess. She knew that a career working with horses is what she wanted to do after seeing how much her horses have impacted her own life and the lives of her volunteers and barn family.
Marianne and Joe reside in Salisbury, MA with their loveable dogs Winnie and Marley and cat Spooky, along with 1 rabbit, 17 Chickens, 5 Goats and their 8 Teachers.
Buckwheat
What’s Up… My name is Buckwheat. I had a terrible accident in the beginning of my life that filled me with uncertainty, fear, and chaos. Now it is filled with purpose and love being part of the herd at Lazy J Ranch. I share my awesome pad with my friends Stretch, Melena and Libby. When we have visitors, I get to teach them great things! I love spending time with people and helping them feel good about themselves.
Sonja
Hi! I’m Sonja. I have been at the Lazy J Ranch since I was 1 ½ years old. I enjoy spending time with my best friends Libby and Ani (she is human). Ani and I spend a lot of time training and having fun. We are planning our Dressage Debut this upcoming season. I am a people pony, I especially enjoy making people laugh and smile. I'm very sassy and have a huge personality you just have too love.
Blu
Salutations, my name is Blu. I am only three years old and have been at the Lazy J Ranch since I was 6 months old. I wasn't supposed to end up here but my old home was a victim of a fire and the Lazy J opened their hearts and doors to me. I'm now living my best life ever! I recently started under saddle, my dad and I hit the trails together its fun. I am a huge fan of people and love to be loved. I had a bumpy start, now I love my life and people reach the end of their bumpy roads and start new beginnings.
Melena
Welcome, my name is Melena. I have been at the Lazy J Ranch since 2017. I came from a huge farm in Minnesota where I was trained and ridden along the countryside. I’ve had quite an experience in the world of competition, including dressage, hunter pacers, and even rodeos. I am a very versatile horse and really enjoy people. Being a teacher is very exciting and fun too, I am the leader of my herd and enjoy teaching humans to be leaders too.
Libby
Hello There! I’m Libby. I had a very rough start to my life. After being passed around from home to home I found myself feeling unloved and homeless. That was very scary for me but now I have a stable home at Lazy J Ranch. My best friend Sonja taught me the ropes around here and keeps me company. I get to help people of all sizes deal with the scary things in their lives, I love helping people feel better it makes me happy!
Stretch
Hola! I’m Stretch. I was the very first horse to arrive at the Lazy J Ranch in 2008. I spent some time competing in horse shows in my younger life, but I am much happier being a teacher and living a life full of fun here at the ranch. Sometimes I run around and chase all the other animals, it’s great to watch my mom and dad’s reaction when I do this. I love living at the Ranch, I get to act like my goofy self and horse around with all our guests and make them laugh!
Bo
It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Bo. I am only five years old and came here with my brother Luke last August. We grew up on an Amish Farm, and somehow ended up in a few auction houses. We were lucky enough to get adopted end given a new beginning at the Lazy J Ranch. I am very lazy, mellow and adore people. I especially enjoy when they brush and hang out with me. I love to give kisses every chance I can get and really enjoy being a teacher and helping people get a new start and grow.
Luke
Greetings, my name is Luke. I am 6 years old, I lived on an Amish Farm in my younger years, now I am one of the newest members at the Lazy J Ranch. I enjoy hanging with my brother Bo, we even pull a cart together as a team, it’s super fun. We can be a bit lazy but as a team we always get our job done. I also enjoy hanging with my bestie Kelly. We’ve learned a lot together and will be starting our jumping debut next year. I love people and making them feel safe and happy.
