The Abijah’s Method.

  • Abijah’s session work happens entirely on the ground. There is no riding or horsemanship involved. Off-Track Thoroughbreds who can no longer bear the weight of a rider are perfectly suited to this work.

    Clients join a licensed mental health provider and an equine professional in an unscripted journey in the arena, paddock, or pen.

    Being face to face with a 1,200 pound animal requires the client to be fully present. Outside pressures have to fade to the background. And much of the healing is done without words, in stark contrast to traditional talk-therapy.

  • We all have a story; sometimes that story hasn’t turned out the way we’d hoped. Sometimes we get stuck in a narrative that doesn’t serve us anymore.

    Clients step into the paddock and it becomes a giant storyboard. The horses become the characters; transforming into a family member or embodying an addiction, representing God or reminding you of the inner self you long since buried.

    Through a thoroughbred’s intuition, they become the players, working alongside you as you rewrite the story of your life.

  • Research studies on the benefits of mental health equine-experiential models show:

    -positive changes in self-efficacy
    -increased self-awareness & self-esteem
    -a decrease in depression
    -shortened treatment times w/ lasting effects

    Mental health equine-experiential therapies have been around for decades and are found to be effective, particularly for those resistant to traditional talk-therapy models. According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) nearly half of those seeking mental health treatment find traditional therapy models ineffective.

    Multiple studies demonstrate self-reported and observable improvements for the majority of those who utilize equine-experiential therapy.

    “The inherent nature of horses can help facilitate attachment transactions, corrective emotional experiences, and nervous system self-regulation among humans.” - Sierra Tucson

The Abijah’s Vision.

Abijah’s on the Backside elevates the racing industry, creating a sustainable future for the horses & humans that power the sport.

Off-Track Thoroughbreds have the power to heal. It is precisely their sensitive and unpredictable nature that makes them well-suited to the transformative mental health work utilized in the Abijah’s mental health equine-experiential model.

People are in need of healing. Abijah’s on the Backside brings individuals in need to the racetrack and their lives are transformed. Be they backside workers, first responders, or individuals seeking growth- Abijah’s can bring healing & wellness to those suffering with PTSD, Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders and more.

Abijah’s is the Bridge. Having a facility on the backside of every major racetrack across the U.S., dozens of OTTBs will be transitioned to meaningful second careers. Hundreds of lives will be forever changed. And the racing industry will be elevated into a sustainable future.

The Abijah’s Team.

  • Sally Mixon - Founder

    Sally has an MA in professional counseling. She served as Chief Development Officer and Equine Trainer at Acres for Life (One of the largest Mental Health Equine – Experiential Programs in the world) for 5 years and has spent a decade raising awareness of the healing power of horses. She facilitates sessions, and advocates through speaking and fundraising engagements. Sally founded Abijah’s on the Backside in 2020, combining her passions for horse racing (she’s an exercise rider at thoroughbred tracks) and supporting military and first responders. Sally believes it’s more than just racing. It’s about running for a cause; to bring hope, healing, and transformation to all.

    The vision of Abijah’s on the Backside is inspired by Sally’s faith, her late friend, Jeff Lukas, and David Burrage who took care of Jeff for 20 years following his famous accident in 1993 with Tobasco Cat.

    Contact Sally

  • Dani Palmer- VP of Development

    Dani has an extensive history of creating and developing non-profits, guiding them to global movements through sponsor development and partnerships with entities like Citibank, Coca-Cola, FedEx, Best Buy, US Bank, Fiat, iHeart and more. Dani has spearheaded development & partnerships with a wide range of local & global charities including: Global Poverty Project, Twin Cities Film Fest, Malala Fund, Mandela Foundation, Eagala, Buffalo Strong & more. Her fundraising campaigns have raised tens of millions in sponsorships & donor dollars. She believes the timing is perfect for Abijah’s on the Backside to elevate the racing industry- bringing healing & hope to a sport that deserves a revival in the decades to come.

    Contact Dani

  • Mark Irving - Racing Ambassador

    Mark believes in the power of the horse and how it can affect the human spirit. He began working with horses at a very young age and raced as a professional jockey in both Europe and the U.S. Throughout his 20-year career, he had over 200 wins in Europe, over 800 in the U.S., and was the leading turf rider at Canterbury Park for many years. Mark is a connector! In 2019, Mark met Sally Mixon (Founder) and has played a significant role in building traction and awareness to this inspiring and transforming vision. Since 2018, Mark has been the Racing Ambassador for Canterbury Park consisting of hosting corporate events and speaking about his experiences as a professional jockey.

    Contact Mark

The Meaning of Abijah’s

 
 

I’m a dreamer and being the daughter of a marine, I was/am a doer. I find freedom when pursuing the impossible and re-imagining the world. I remember first seeing a horse and being in awe of their size, their strength, their power, their breath, and yet they had a desire to get to know me. It reminded me of how I envisioned God. And, like faith, what lights me up is doing what others say can’t be done. I get fired up when I think of the track, the speed, the power, and how it brings people together. The track represents a moment in time when ALL breaking from that gate and ALL who are watching believe they matter enough to win the race…their race. What if we always lived in that truth? That we matter! Even at our lowest, WE ARE PRICELESS.

Abijah is Hebrew. It means “The Lord is my Father.” It is also the name I gave my first horse. It’s why Abijah’s exists; To bring His hope to others through the power of His amazing creation.

~ Sally Mixon, Founder