Photos: Heartland Girls' Ranch

1

A girl who was a victim of child sex trafficking hugs her horse Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Heartland Girls' Ranch in Benson, Minn. Each of the 19 girls staying at the ranch is assigned her own horse to care for and ride as part of her therapy. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

2

Riding horses is part of regular therapy for troubled girls living at Heartland Girls' Ranch Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. During the winter months, the girls ride and show their horses in an indoor arena, but in the summer they ride outside. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

3

The girls walk out to the barn after school Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Heartland Girls' Ranch in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

4

Heartland Girls' Ranch executive director CeCe Terlouw photographed in a resident's room that overlooks the horse pasture Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

5

The girls at Heartland Girls' Ranch, who are between ages 12-21, sleep in shared rooms and keep their hair dryers and curling irons near the bathrooms Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

6

Some of the Heartland girls become accomplished riders and many win ribbons in local horse shows. Their horse therapy includes caring for the ranch's 30 horses and regular riding lessons after school Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

7

Equine Specialist Bridget Kinnell administers lavendar-scented aromatherapy to one of the ranch's horses Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Heartland Girls' Ranch in Benson, Minn. Kinnell teaches the girls how to care for, ride and train the ranch's 30 horses. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

8

Signs on the wall in the commons area where the girls live Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at Heartland Girls' Ranch in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

9

A Heartland girl who participates in the horse therapy program is matched up with one horse that is considered hers while she lives at the ranch. The girls are responsible for bringing their horses into the barn from the pasture before their lesson Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo

10

A teenage girl who lives at Heartland Girls' Ranch stands close to her horse for a few moments after a group lesson in the barn Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 in Benson, Minn. (MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson) link to this photo