OUR ORGANIZATION: OUR STORY
In the winter of 1996, drought conditions demanded emergency BLM mustang roundups. Mary Lee Brighton, a professional horsewoman and riding instructor, went to her first BLM adoption. In these mud-caked, thin, goat-like bodies she saw children’s Pony Hunters and Schooling Horses. Their size, intelligence, durability, and free movement made them good, economic horses, worth the training time.
As the mud wore off, their little bodies gained weight, and their intense fear diminished, Mary Lee was allowed to really see into their eyes and the fascination began. Those eyes and their intense aliveness captivated Mary Lee and the mustangs became her teachers. It was then she realized their potential as ambassadors, healers, and powerful teachers of non-verbal communication, self-awareness, and compassion. She began offering trainings to Veterans who suffered from PTSD (post-traumatic stress syndrome) and at-risk youth. The Windhorse Relations™ journey began.
Those early Windhorse Relations™ trainings impacted many people in life altering and incredible ways. With Mary Lee’s nurturing the ungainly, apprehensive mustangs matured into hardy, confident horses. Currently the Windhorse herd includes 30 horses in a spectrum of colors, sizes and personalities. A common response is, "I can’t believe these are wild horses!”
Windhorse Relations™ is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2001 by Mary Lee Brighton. Windhorse Relations™ and M.E.E.T. the Mustangs, Where Heart Meets Horse™ have been created from the mustangs' and the training participant's feedback. It has been an organic, beautiful process that has been guided by our intention to create willing relationships with mustangs, ourselves, and others.
Seminars and the mustang’s training are held at Brighton Meadows Equestrian Center, Salt Lake City, Utah (www.bmec-online.com) and Kayenta Korrals, Ivins, Utah, depending on the season.
Windhorse Relations™ is about creating a partnership with the American wild horse while maintaining its unbroken spirit and allowing us to truly understand its loving nature. Windhorse Relations™ is grateful to all the many talented and generous people who have joined the Windhorse Relations™ Dream Team.
