Magic Valley Horses began with a lifelong love of horses—and a belief in the quiet lessons they teach.
This page shares the story behind the real horses, real experiences, and the heart behind Magic Valley Horses—created to help children connect with horses through curiosity, kindness, and imagination.
If you’re drawn to meaningful, screen-free ways for kids to learn and grow, you’re in the right place.
Like so many little girls, I wanted a horse more than anything. I remember being just four or five years old, thrilled beyond words to climb onto the back of a pony the man brought around for pictures. I don’t have a photo of that moment, but I can still feel the joy. While other kids played with dolls, I was building ranches and forts for my collection of plastic horses.
Growing up in the city made having a horse of my own pretty impractical. But that didn’t stop me. I did everything I could to be around horses whenever possible.
Riding with the Marines
When I was about nine or ten, my stepfather—who was in the Navy—would take me to the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro. That’s where I rode a little horse named Fury, and it’s also where the Marines who ran the stables taught me to ride. It was one of those early experiences that really stuck with me and fueled my passion.
Throughout the rest of my childhood and teenage years, I rode any chance I got. Trail rides, friends’ horses—if there was an opportunity, I was there.
A Detour into City Life
In my early adult years, I lived a typical city life. I got married and worked in the city, but horses were never far from my mind. One of the highlights of that time was visiting a rustic, family-run ranch in Arizona. We spent a week there each year for several years, and those memories still make me smile.
My First Horse
After I divorced in my late 30s, I met someone and moved to Nevada. He was incredibly supportive of my dream of owning a horse—and he actually bought me my very first one! That horse was Patch, who later became the mother of Liberty and Dancer.
Life eventually brought me back to Southern California. When I moved my horses to a stable there, I started working with a woman who ran a school program that taught kids all about horses.
Where It All Changed
This wasn’t your average riding lesson program. The kids had to do everything—catch their horse, lead them, groom them, and saddle up—before they could ride. It was amazing to watch. Many children came to the program terrified of horses. But after just a few lessons, their confidence would bloom. They became more outgoing, more self-assured, and so proud of what they could do.
Watching those transformations lit a spark in me. I started researching equine-assisted learning and eventually got certified by one of the first instructors to offer formal training in the field.
Helping People Heal
That’s when I launched Horses Heal, my own equine-assisted learning program. I worked with the public, including youth at risk, and eventually partnered with a drug and alcohol counselor. Together, we offered meaningful programs for people in recovery—and some of the most powerful healing I’ve ever witnessed.
A New Chapter
In 2014, I was diagnosed with cancer. After surgery, I closed Horses Heal and moved to Northern California to be near a friend and to live somewhere more affordable than Orange County.
A couple of years later, I made another big move—this time to Texas. Eventually, Dancer and Liberty joined me here. Since then, my small herd has grown to include Butter (who had Roxy and Ember), and Dancer’s baby Luna.
For a long time, I searched for a way to share the magic of my horses again. I tried launching an equine-assisted learning program called Strides to Excellence, but there just hasn’t been much local interest.
Real Stories. Real Horses.
That’s when the idea came to me: what if I told their stories another way? What if I could help children connect with horses through books—books that were true, that shared the real personalities and lessons of each member of my herd?
And thanks to technology—especially ChatGPT—I realized I could do just that without spending a fortune to bring my vision to life.
Now I’m creating coloring, storybooks and other resources that introduce kids to the real horses of Magic Valley. These real horse stories are filled with heart, honesty, and the kind of lessons only horses can teach—about kindness, courage, and connection.
Ready to meet the horse who inspired it all?
🐴 Read Butter’s Gentle Strength — The Real Horse Behind the Coloring Book
🐴 Want to meet the horses of Magic Valley?
If you’d like to introduce a child to horses in a gentle, screen-free way, I created a free horse activity kit inspired by the real horses of Magic Valley.
It’s designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and connection—without screens.
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Download the free screen-free horse activity kit here »
If your child enjoyed the activity kit, Butter’s full story and coloring book is a beautiful next step.
