Dunrovin Ranch transitions from SuzAnne to Maddie
Dunrovin Ranch is delighted to introduce you to Maddie Borntraeger. Maddie first came to Dunrovin Ranch in the summer of 2024 when she provided horseback riding lessons through her own business Flutterby Holistic Equine Therapy which she had started in the small community of Whitehall, Montana (about 160 miles east of Dunrovin). The distance between the two locations limited her involvement with Dunrovin at that time. However, she has since moved to Florence, Montana, which is only 15 miles south of Dunrovin. Hence, when she heard that Dunrovin Ranch owner, SuzAnne Miller, had become critically ill, she reached out to see if she could be of service. Little did she know that SuzAnne was looking for far more than some help. SuzAnne’s medical challenges are such that she needs to completely retire from owning and operating the horsemanship aspects of the guest ranch business, thus Maddie’s offer to help has turned into a full transition of the Dunrovin Ranch horse program from SuzAnne to Maddie.
As you might imagine, it is a complex, difficult, and emotional process to find the right person to trust with Dunrovin Ranch’s many years of building a business centered on quality horsemanship services and experiences for both people and animals, while simultaneously integrating with the DaysAtDunrovin social engagement platform. Neither Maddie nor Dunrovin take such a transition lightly. We have established a phased-in process to ensure both Dunrovin Ranch’s and DaysAtDunrovin’s legacies while also fully passing the baton to Maddie so she can unhesitatingly express her own creativity and expertise to sustain and grow the business.
SuzAnne is deeply grateful for the community interest and support Dunrovin Ranch has received over the past 25 years. She hopes Dunrovin’s long-time friends, clients and supporters will welcome Maddie with open arms, provide her with all the support and encouragement needed to ensure her success, and help her breathe new life into this little piece of paradise along the Bitterroot River that we all love.
Introducing Maddie Borntraeger
As you read Maddie’s bio below, you will see why Dunrovin Ranch is confident that Maddie is the right fit for carrying Dunrovin Ranch into the future. She shares our values about people and animals, she has successfully developed and operates her own horsemanship business called Flutterby Holistic Equine Therapy (see her Facebook Page), and she brings a whole new set of experiences, bag of tricks, and expertise to partner people with horses for the well-being of both.
Maddie’s bio in her own words
After a few years of traveling I was drawn back to equine assisted services and my passion for helping people. This led me back to Florida to acquire my Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor certification through PATH International at Hope Therapy. During my mentorship at Hope Therapy I was trained in Hippotherapy and gained experience in counseling and working with at-risk youth.
I enjoyed living, working and adventuring in many different states, especially ones with all four seasons after growing up in Florida. Strangely, I have always dreamed of riding horses in Montana as a child, yet it took me until 5 years ago for my travels and life to finally steer me here. I came to Montana the summer of 2021 to work on another guest ranch running trail rides, where I ended up managing the horse program and gaining a new (pinnacle and gorgeous) point of view. Before the end of my second summer in Montana I fell in love with and purchased my first horse. I also fell in love with Montana and have since grown roots and a whole herd.
While starting and growing my personal LLC business, Flutterby Holistic Equine Therapy, in 2023 I decided to also acquire my ESMHL, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning certificate, to further assist different groups in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies.
My goal has always been to own and operate my own ranch and lesson program and I have been working toward this goal explicitly for the last 2 years. I look forward to flourishing with this new partnership while building new relationships and growing as a business as well as community.
In conclusion, I love sharing the magic horses hold with any and everyone, any chance I get!
**What is a CTRI**
The PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) is a credential for individuals in the equine-assisted services (EAS) profession who provide riding instruction and therapeutic value to people with disabilities. This may include mounted or unmounted work ethically partnering with an equine. PATH Intl. CTRIs have met established criteria and standards of practice in the field. They have demonstrated their knowledge of disabilities, equines, teaching and human-animal interactions.
**What is a ESMHL**
A PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL) ensures the safety and well-being of the equine participating in equine-facilitated mental health and learning sessions. The ESMHL serves as the equine expert during equine/human interactions and works with mental health or education providers to ethically incorporate equines in their practice, within the scope of their profession. An ESMHL must be knowledgeable in horsemanship and understands how to collaborate with a mental health therapist and/or educator to best meet the client’s needs and keep the lesson safe.
