Ciara is just like any other horse except she doesn’t realize that being blind is a disability, according to Kathy Hart of HartSong Ranch in Greenwood.

The 1-year-old horse was born blind but it hasn’t stopped her from enjoying her surroundings at the ranch.

“She’s just the bravest little thing in the whole wide world,” Hart said Saturday. “She’s not afraid of anything.”

Kathy and Jim Hart run the ranch. Its mission statement explains that the ranch “grants permanent sanctuary to animals with disabilities.” The ranch is home to several blind animals, including horses and goats.

“They might have one sense gone, but they just thrive. Their lives are very worthwhile,” Kathy Hart said. “Children are kind of fascinated with what we do. It’s a good lesson for them to learn.”

The ranch hosted an open house Saturday so the community could see the facilities and talk to the Harts and the ranch caretaker. As the grill was being fired up for hot dogs, and the stage being set for live music later in the day, visitors strolled from pen to pen to pet the horses.

“It’s just amazing to look at these horses,” Cool resident LaVonna Muñoz said. “They’re just so happy.”

The ranch is home to nine blind horses, two blind goats and three horses over the age of 30.

Kathy Hart said that’s about as big as she plans to make the ranch so she and her crew can offer the best possible care to the animals.

The ranch usually finds horses in need through word-of-mouth, she said.

Some have been kept in poor conditions or permanently kept in a small pen because owners did not know or want to administer proper care, she said. Others come from owner surrender, she added.

“They love their horses but they just are not in the condition to care for them anymore,” Kathy Hart said.

For caretaker Summer Honeyman, watching the horses slowly gain confidence is a plus.

“I like being able to work with the horses and seeing them turn around,” Honeyman said.

Usually when an animal first arrives at the ranch, they don’t want people to pet them and are skittish. After a few months, however, that changes, she said.

“When you connect with them, they’re just a totally different animal,” Honeyman said.

The ranch is funded entirely by donations and through the support of the community. It incorporated in January 2007 and its non-profit status is pending, Kathy Hart said.

“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for animals with disabilities,” she said. “Over the years, I’ve worked with a lot of local animal shelters and humane societies. If they had an animal with a disability, they knew we would bring them home, foster and rehabilitate and adopt them out.”

Colfax resident Suzanne Creech said she came with her family to support the ranch and to teach her daughter about the importance of respecting animals.

“We’re starting at a young age to get her to appreciate all animals,” Creech said.

Creech’s 8-year-old niece Madalin Facino said it was her first time interacting with a blind horse.

“I really like horses,” Madalin said. “I’ve just always liked them.”

At the ranch, horses are given plenty of room to roam. Hart said she’s always amazed at how well the blind horses adapt to their surroundings.

“They can run the full length of their pen and know right where to stop,” Kathy Hart said. “They know it by heart.”

The Journal’s Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com or post a comment at auburnjournal.com.

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HartSong Ranch is a non-profit public benefit corporation. If you would like to help the ranch, there are several options including:

- Attend one of the monthly volunteer days at the ranch

- Adopt one of the residents at the ranch through a monthly donation

- Make a one-time donation to the ranch

- Donate feed or supplies to the ranch or through Cool Feed at (530) 887-0200

For more information, call Kathy Hart at (530) 887-1263 or visit www.hartsongranch.org