Bridle Ranch Builds People

Today’s topic is a heavy one.  It goes deep.

I have a confession to make.  And really, confession is probably the wrong word.  It implies that I’ve done something wrong.  Recently, I have come to realize that this thing that feels so wrong in my life is not actually my fault.

You see, I fight with depression.  Fighting with it sounds so much more hopeful than suffering from it, right?  And I try.  Oh, I try, so hard, to fight against the weight of it.  Sometimes, I succeed.  

Other times, it is almost impossible to make myself do the things that are required of me to keep my family moving forward.  Usually, I can manage to do the very basics.  I can’t imagine how impossibly hard it would be to function in this world with a case of depression any worse than mine is.  There are people who do, though, and their strength is absolutely astounding.

When I was 21 years old, I got a job working at a Residential Treatment Center.  I had the amazing privilege of teaching troubled youth to ride horses.  The things I learned there shaped my adult life, and eventually became the basis for Bridle Ranch.

You may have noticed that at Bridle Ranch, we do things a little differently from most barns.  We don’t do any competitions.  We don’t have forced timelines for learning. We don’t hire outside trainers.  We focus on building confidence, having fun, and working through problems.  We provide experience with many different disciplines with horses, which helps students to learn a broad base of horsemanship.  We emphasize relationships, patience, assertiveness, and calmness.

Through my growing understanding of depression, I have come to realize how many people are suffering from things that are often unseen.  I have also come to believe that everybody needs more love.  More goodness.  More innocence.  More inner strength.  More simplicity and joy.

At Bridle Ranch, my goal has always been to build people.  Yes, we teach horseback riding.  But underneath the skills and progression are principles of compassion and unity that, hopefully, help our riders to feel safe and loved.  

When people feel safe and loved, they can experiment and grow.  When people grow, they change their lives for the better.  When they are ready, they go out and make positive changes in the world around them.  

That is the reason we ride.  That inner strength and peace we gain from playing with horses translates to better, happier, stronger, more confident people.  

That is why I started Bridle Ranch.  That vision of helping people has been my driving force even when my own struggles have begged me to stop.  That is why I am so grateful every time I see people out there, riding the horses, learning the lessons, finding success, and feeling joy.  

Smile and Ride, friends.  Smile and Ride.

-CR

Get to Know Josie!

Q: What is your role/job title at Bridle Ranch?
A: I am a riding instructor.

Q: What's your favorite treat?
A: I really like caramels and caramel apples.

Q: What's your favorite color?
A: Definitely green, but the natural green.

Q: What hobbies do you have?
A: I enjoy competitive horse judging. I also love anything outdoors from hunting to ATV rides.

Q: Where are you from and what was your life like growing up?
A: I am from Mona, Utah, I grew up very independent and was always looking to be the best I could be. I loved being able to push myself even from a young age.

Q: Where are you in life now?
A: I am currently working towards a future for myself. I am working this summer to help build a resume and more experience in the equine industry.

Q: Any big plans in the future?
A: I am heading to USU this fall to work on building a future with horses. Ideally I'd love to have my own horse ranch but I'm also getting a degree in Agricultural Education so I can continue to teach and instruct.

Q: What is your experience with horses, animals, and/or ranches?
A: I grew up with horses and from a young age I had a passion for them. I have shown competitively for years and I love learning with and training young horses. I have held multiple leadership positions with horses and hope to continue on my journey with horses.

Q: Can you explain what you've gotten out of Bridle Ranch?
A: I have gotten to learn different methods of dealing with horses. I have learned a lot about natural horsemanship and hope to use my gained knowledge in the future. This opportunity to have a job in the equine industry is a dream come true.

Forest Bathing

Hello Centaurs!

Forty years ago, a practice emerged in the forests of Japan.  They called it Shinrin-Yoku, or Forest Bathing.  Personally, I think it sounds amazing.

Basically, to participate in Shinrin-Yoku, one simply needs to walk slowly through a forest, or even sit in a forest, breathing deeply and looking at the trees.

A few years later, scientists got involved and began to study the effects.  As it turns out, Forest Bathing is extremely beneficial.  It lowers stress levels, calms the mind, frees up creativity, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, boosts the immune system, and improves recovery time.  

Here’s the good news for those of us living in the Utah desert:  Pretty much any time spent outside can have similar benefits!  Being outdoors helps to lower anxiety, lower heart rate, boost the immune system, improves sleep quality, and increases vitamin D levels.  (Google it!  It’s true!)

Trees are amazing.  But so is grass.  And sunsets.  And wind, clouds, rain, fresh air, animals, and dirt.  Somehow, in ways we probably don’t fully understand yet, being outside is good for our bodies and souls.  

Now, here’s the really fun part.  When we play outside, we get most (if not all) of those benefits of being outside, plus better physical health, more social interaction, and better life satisfaction.  

It blows my mind that conscientiously spending time out-of-doors can have so much impact on us.  I’ve certainly felt it, though.  Indoors, I am plagued by laundry, dishes, goals, advice, messes, and stresses.  Outside, much of that falls away.  It feels like I can look up, breathe, feel hope and purpose.  The messes no longer matter so much.  There aren’t as many screens to distract me, and I can be present in the moment.  Fears and insecurities tend to fall away.  

Here’s the other cool thing:  everybody has their own ways of enjoying the outdoors.  Many people like organized sports or extreme adventures.  My favorites are… a silly mix of me. :P

I like:

-Walking

-Smelling trees

-Flying kites

-Riding horses

-Reading books

-Closing my eyes and just enjoying the feeling of sun, wind, or rain

-Building campfires

-Playing frisbee

-Talking with friends

-Drinking iced tea or lemonade on the front porch

-Riding bikes

-Gardening

-Ground skills with horses

What do you like to do outside?

Smile and Play!

-CR