Krystal Sieben took her children to a horse ranch and watched as her 8-year-old son with autism, racked with fear, was on the verge of tears.

He sat on a bench and a pony came and rested its head near him. Sieben’s son reached over to pet the pony and the two had a moment, she said.

“I think he (the horse) picked up on how he was feeling,” Sieben said. “In that moment, I was like, ‘Geez, what if I didn’t have access to a barn like this?’”

After her initial ranch visits with her children in 2019, Sieben, a middle school teacher from Stillwater, decided she wanted to change career paths. In 2022, she started the nonprofit Three Little Burdes, connecting people with horses and fostering special moments between them.

Three Little Burdes has three horses and three locations in Stillwater, Hugo and Hudson, Wis. Each visit is free and open to people of all ages and abilities. As a parent of a neurodivergent child, Sieben advocates especially for other children and people with disabilities to experience the calming nature of horses.

“When my oldest son was going through his autism diagnosis, it just felt really lonely, and being around the horses helped me,” Sieben said.

Sieben, a mother of three, describes her now 12-year-old son as “the most delightful light you’ll ever know.” But navigating his autism diagnosis did come with challenges, Sieben said. The outside world had not always been accommodating and understanding of his differences, which made it hard to feel like her family fit in many places, she said.

No matter who you are, what a person’s going through or how they process emotions, the horses remain calm, Sieben said. They are always welcoming and the space became especially comforting to her as a parent to a neurodivergent child and to her son who felt calm and joyful around the horses.

“When I was struggling with all those things and feeling like I didn’t really know where to be, being out here (at the ranch) really helped,” Sieben said. “I would love to give other people that chance because maybe they haven’t thought of it or heard of it.”

Started with riding lessons

Declan Hague, 11, feeds hay to Sunflower, a 21-year-old pony, as Krystal Sieben watches. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Sieben initially brought her daughter to a horse ranch to take riding lessons. Her family does not come from an equestrian background and she didn’t expect to fall in love with the horses herself.

“Sometimes when you think horses, I picture a fancy girl, and it’s kind of intimidating to get into it,” she said.

Sieben said she often associated horses with wealth and privilege. Spending a lot of time with them and having her own horses felt inaccessible. She said if someone told her five years ago that she’d leave teaching to spend her time with horses, she would have never believed them.

“It’s like a dream come true,” Sieben said.

Related Articles

New test approved for newborns in Minnesota

These researchers are trying to diagnose CTE during life. They’re recruiting former football players

First at-home test kit for cervical cancer approved by the FDA, company says

FDA will allow three new color additives made from minerals, algae and flower petals

Despite historic indictment, doctors will keep mailing abortion pills across state lines

The horses calmed her during a time when she needed it most, which led her to buy her first pony, named Bigfoot, a 30-year-old horse who has since passed. She and all three of her children loved being around the horses and, after witnessing the special moment between Bigfoot and her son, Sieben said she knew the experience needed to be more widely accessible.

“Whether it’s spending time with a horse or going on to take riding lessons, just being around them is so healing,” Sieben said. “You’ll feel good after you leave.”

A study conducted by the HeartMath Institute shows that horses’ heart rates sync with human heart rates, which can have an impact on both parties’ emotional state. This happens because horses are used to being in a herd and the herd leader will often calm the other horses this way, Sieben said.

“If you spend time with a horse, your cortisol goes down and your resting heart rate will go down,” she said. “It helps with anxiety, depression and all the things.”

Free visits

A visit with Three Little Burdes can look many ways and there are no expectations, Sieben said.

While families and children are Sieben’s most frequent visitors, all ages are welcome to participate. Each visit is 45 minutes to an hour long. During that time, horses can be taken for a walk, petted or given a makeover that includes glittery hoof polish and tail braiding. Some people simply stand or sit in the presence of the horse to experience a sense of peace.

“A lot of people go longer and that’s fine,” Sieben said. “Some kids have a really hard time leaving.”

Sieben has a horse at each ranch that she partners with. Syver, her baby horse gelding, lives at Morningstar Farm in Stillwater; pony mare Sunflower lives at Pine Meadow Farm in Hudson; and her adult gelding, Cougaroo, who is a former riding champion, lives at Woodloch Stable in Hugo.

If Sieben had a horse stable of her own, she’d house all of the horses herself, but her family already has too many animals at home and she said she’s grateful that each of the ranches supports her mission. Some have even donated horses to her, like Cougaroo from Woodloch Stables.

Each visit is tailored to the person’s needs and horses are paired accordingly. If families are worried their child may have a meltdown, Sieben’s not judging, she said; they can always try again.

“I want it to be really low risk, high reward, confidence-building, and something that families can do together,” Sieben said.

Sieben is also a professional photographer and visitors are given free photos after every visit. People appreciate being photographed with the horses and some even come dressed up, she said.

“My friends and their kids always used to love holding onto the pictures after,” Sieben said. “That’s why I gift them, so people can remember the feeling they had when they were with the horse.”

Three Little Burdes?

The name for Three Little Burdes takes inspiration from three of Sieben’s loves: Bob Marley, her children and her stepdad.

Teddy Sieben, 12, climbs over the gate as his friend, Declan Hague, 11, waits his turn. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Bob Marley’s song “Three Little Birds” has represented comfort and hope in her life, and as a mother of three children she loves dearly, Sieben said her kids are her three little birds. Sieben’s stepdad’s name is Mike Burdette and his family has meant so much in her life, she said. As Sieben and her children don’t carry the last name, Three Little Burdes is spelled uniquely in homage to the wonderful person her stepdad is, Sieben said.

After spending time with the horses, Sieben said visitors often become inspired to take up lessons – which she does not provide, but the ranches she partners with do – and others discover new career paths. Once during a visit, a masseuse told Sieben that her life might have been changed because she began to consider a career in equine massage, which Sieben says is a real thing.

“I love being a positive introduction,” Sieben said.

Sieben said her hope is that city folk will come visit her horses. She said she wants people of all backgrounds and walks of life, especially those who don’t typically have access to horses, to spend time with them for free and see how life-changing it can be, as it has been for her and her children.

Funding for the nonprofit comes from donations and out of her own pocket, Sieben said. The nonprofit has received the most donations during Give to the Max Day, which go toward horse care, according to Sieben. She does not get paid for the work and instead volunteers her time to care for her horses. She pays for vet visits, lots of treats and for the horses to be trained regularly so that they’re calm, friendly and able to comfort people the way they do.

“We just bought a horse and I just started doing it,” Sieben said.

Related Articles

Battle of the Badges to benefit Cottage Grove-area charities

Anonymous Washington County Library benefactor comes through again

Minnesota Senate OKs new anti-fraud office, but much work remains

Stillwater Veterans Memorial to undergo $200K expansion

AED installed at Stillwater field where teen nearly died during football practice

Three Little Burdes

What: Nonprofit that connects people of all ages and abilities to horses.

Where: Woodloch Stable, 5676 170th St. N. in Hugo; Morningstar Farm, 12490 Norell Ave. N. in Stillwater; and Pine Meadow Farm, 1181 Trout Brook Road N., Hudson, Wis.

How: Free visits can be scheduled through Instagram at instagram.com/three_little_burdes. For more information, visit threelittleburdes.org.

Donations: Those interested in donating can visit www.givemn.org/story/022qxf.

Minnesota newborns will soon be screened for a disease that can lead to delays in developmental milestones, regression of skills, seizures and in some cases death.

The Minnesota Commissioner of Health, Dr. Brooke Cunningham, has approved the state’s Newborn Screening Advisory Committee’s recommendation to add metachromatic leukodystrophy, known as MLD, to the list of conditions for which newborns in Minnesota are routinely screened, according to a press release from the state Department of Health.

The committee will now work toward implementing the screening. The work will include validating a testing method and developing result and follow-up protocols. It is likely the screening will begin in 2026.

​”MLD is a type of lysosomal disease, which is caused by an enzyme deficiency leading to a buildup of fats called sulfatides. This buildup causes damage to the brain and nervous system,” the health department press release said.

While there is no cure for the disease, early intervention can help manage symptoms and slow the progression. The screening program expects to identify one baby a year that has the disease and will benefit from early intervention.

For more information, visit the state’s Newborn Screening Program webpage.

Related Articles

These researchers are trying to diagnose CTE during life. They’re recruiting former football players

First at-home test kit for cervical cancer approved by the FDA, company says

FDA will allow three new color additives made from minerals, algae and flower petals

Despite historic indictment, doctors will keep mailing abortion pills across state lines

When they don’t recognize you anymore

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb

As women continue to take increasingly active financial roles — whether in families, relationships, at work, or on their own — they are also confronting a retirement landscape full of both opportunity and challenge.

Despite controlling a growing share of personal wealth in the U.S., many women still feel unprepared for retirement. But with the right strategies, education, and support, a woman should feel empowered to shape your financial future and retire with confidence.

Mastering math over myth

The retirement journey is often more complex for women, despite much progress that’s been made over the past five decades. The reasons are multifaceted:

• Longevity risk: On average, American women live nearly six years longer than men. This benefit comes with a price. When starting with similar assets and investment strategies, a woman’s chances of outliving her retirement savings are more than double that of a man — 12.6% versus 5%. Those extra years can add up to a significant financial burden if not adequately planned for.

• Earnings disparity: Women working full-time, year-round earn just 83.7 cents for every dollar earned by men. This persistent gender wage gap not only means fewer dollars to save throughout a career but also contributes to a 20% reduction in average Social Security benefits compared with men.

• Career interruptions and part-time work: Many women take breaks from the workforce to care for children or aging parents. These interruptions affect their ability to contribute consistently to employer-sponsored retirement plans. In fact, women are more likely than men to work part-time, often without access to 401(k)s or similar retirement savings vehicles. When they do have access, lower earnings can lead to smaller employer matching contributions.

• Financial confidence: Studies show that women tend to be less confident than men when making long-term financial decisions. This can lead to overly cautious investment choices and missed opportunities for growth. However, there is a silver lining: Women often outperform men in investing by a modest but meaningful margin — about 0.40% per year — due to a more disciplined and risk-aware approach.

Your personal roadmap to a stronger financial future

Fortunately, these challenges can be met with smart planning and tailored strategies that speak directly to women’s financial realities.

• 1. Budget with purpose: Start by understanding your current expenses and estimating your future needs. Lay the groundwork by identifying your long-term goals and factoring in your family situation. Set a realistic savings rate — either as a percentage of income or a fixed dollar amount — and commit to it consistently.

• 2. Embrace strategic asset allocation: Diversifying your investments is key to balancing risk and reward. While many women are naturally risk-averse, it’s important not to avoid risk entirely. Instead, be strategic. Spread investments across asset classes, industries and geographies. Incorporate cost-effective hedging strategies to protect against market downturns. A well-diversified portfolio can help ensure a reliable stream of retirement income and guard against unexpected life events such as inflation, career breaks, or divorce.

• 3. Optimize for taxes: Take advantage of tax-deferred retirement accounts like Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s, which allow your investments to grow without immediate tax implications. Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, while funded with after-tax dollars, offer tax-free withdrawals in retirement — ideal for long-term growth. Taxable investment accounts can offer liquidity and flexibility, and strategies like tax-loss harvesting can minimize tax liabilities over time.

• 4. Maximize Social Security benefits: When and how you claim Social Security can significantly impact your retirement income. Claiming benefits before full retirement age (FRA) leads to permanent reductions, while delaying until age 70 yields the maximum benefit. If you’re married, coordinating spousal benefits is another critical strategy. Because Social Security is adjusted for inflation, it serves as a valuable financial cushion over a long retirement.

• 5. Commit to continual learning: Empowerment comes with education. Take advantage of financial education resources tailored to women. Wealth Enhancement Group offers a free, on-demand webinar titled Retirement Planning for Women: 6 Critical Steps to a Confident Future. This session covers essential strategies for building financial confidence and security. You can find this webinar and more on the Insights section at wealthenhancement.com.

Finally, try to attend women-focused events to connect with other women navigating similar challenges. Speak with a qualified financial adviser who understands your unique needs. The more you learn, the more confident you’ll feel taking control of your financial destiny.

You’ve already made great strides in your education, career, and leadership. Now it’s time to translate that progress into lasting financial security for yourself. By drawing on your resolve and resources, you can redefine what retirement looks like — not just for yourself, but for generations of women who will follow in your footsteps.

Related Articles

Your Money: Checklist — spring clean your finances

Your Money: Simplifying your financial life

Your Money: The 60-year career: How to plan for a longer work life

Your Money: Does deregulation help or hurt investment outcomes?

Your Money: Financial planning tips for small-business owners 

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb are financial advisers at Wealth Enhancement Group and co-hosts of “Your Money” on WCCO 830 AM on Sunday mornings. Email Bruce and Peg at yourmoney@wealthenhancement.com. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Wealth Enhancement Group and Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services are separate entities from LPL Financial.

Amy Lindgren

Second Sunday Series – Editor’s Note: This is the ninth of 12 columns on AI and work, appearing the second Sunday of each month, from September through August. Last month’s column described AI tools for organizing or conducting the job search, while previous columns looked at interview prep; résumés and cover letters; best practices for companies using AI; tips for using ChatGPT; work opportunities with artificial intelligence; AI use in the hiring process; and an overview of artificial intelligence in general. 

We’re three quarters of the way through this series about artificial intelligence and careers and it’s still not clear to me whether AI is a worker’s friend or foe. It’s simplistic to say “Both!” as if that closes the case. Of course it’s both, but how much of both? What’s the balance of friend vs. foe and is it shifting?

Since I understand the writing profession more than any other (because it’s been part of my career path for decades), I’m going to consider the question from that lens — and I can say already, the picture isn’t rosy.

We’ve all seen the articles about artificial intelligence taking over jobs; in the case of writers, the threat is distressingly real. Already I’ve received press releases clearly written by AI. Is the campaign being masterminded by a press agent, or was that person laid off?

How about novels? Some “authors” have been bragging for years about writing several novels a week by turning the process over to artificial intelligence. What happens when publishers learn that trick too, voting to eliminate authors altogether?

Journalists, technical writers, advertising copywriters, textbook authors, song writers … I could name a dozen or more types of writers and they’d all be vulnerable to the threat of artificial intelligence taking their jobs.

Which brings me to ask: Does it matter? Assuming these individuals can find other work, does it really matter who writes the press release or novel? As long as the recipient is informed or entertained or both, what’s the difference how it was produced?

As a society, we’d likely never come to agreement on the answer. But while we were (and are) arguing the point, AI would still be marching forward.

Perhaps the real question is whether we want to march along, or resist and take the risk of being marched over. With reluctance, I’ll vote for the first choice but only with this caveat: I still want to know that writers are being trained to write, regardless of how they’ll integrate their work with technology.

I have any number of reasons for this, ranging from the need to keep unique, human voices in the writing lexicon to the acknowledgment that without the unique voices AI will become nothing but a loop feeding on itself.

For me, however, the most convincing reason for humans to continue writing is the neural pathway argument: Science suggests that writing strengthens cognitive function and critical thinking, and even increases dopamine. And, because writing uses so many aspects of our brain function — memory, empathy, logic — it may helps us stay lucid longer in our lives.

This chain of thinking always reminds me of “Wax on, wax off,” from the Karate Kid movies. The phrase comes from karate master Mr. Miyagi (actor Pat Morita) training young Daniel (Ralph Macchio) by making him repeatedly wax and unwax a car. As Daniel learns later, the motions are teaching him muscle memory, not to mention patience, which become critical assets in his karate practice.

I’ve seen the same thing happen with writing students I’ve taught: Writers who try a variety of exercises eventually develop confidence and muscle memory of their own. They write quickly, develop a voice that “sounds” like them, and learn to anticipate responses from their readers.

Nothing I’ve experienced with AI so far tells me that it builds that kind of foundation for the person using it. I don’t think this gap occurs only in the writing profession. Anyone may find that their job can be conducted by artificial intelligence or robots or both. We won’t be able to out-run this trend, or legislate it away.

But that doesn’t mean we should forget how to do those jobs either. Wax on, wax off. Becoming better at core skills such as writing isn’t ignoring the inevitable –it’s preparing for it.

Come back next month and I’ll continue this discussion with a look at how the pairing of AI with core skills can be a winning alternative in the workplace and in life overall.

Related Articles

Working Strategies: Communicating more powerfully at work

Working Strategies: The Power of Yes in job search

Working Strategies: Random thoughts: Stretching job titles and happy places

Working Strategies: Using AI to organize or even conduct your job search

Working Strategies: Some survival tools for uncertain times

Amy Lindgren owns a career consulting firm in St. Paul. She can be reached at alindgren@prototypecareerservice.com.