Every summer the gates of Quartz Creek Ranch swing open for kids needing a fresh start. The philosophy of the ranch is simple: “We don’t call it therapy. It’s just horseback riding.” Under the watchful eyes of life-long ranchers Willard and Etty Bridle, these middle-schoolers put their hands—and hearts—to good use, learning to ride, working on the ranch, and caring for the animals. Aided by two teenage horse trainers, the kids must forge a bond with their horses, grow beyond the mistakes that brought them to the ranch, and face unique challenges in the rugged Colorado rangeland.
