The Horse That Found Me: From Childhood Dreams to Ranch Life and Motherhood

"I didn't find my passion — my passion found me."

That's how Samantha Draney, the founder of TriStar Ranch in Lewiston, describes the moment everything changed. She had loved horses since she was a little girl, raised on stories of honorable cowboys from her Texas-born grandparents. But it was during a difficult time in high school that she discovered just how powerful a horse could be.

"I was in a dark place," Samantha said. "Equine therapy saved me. That horse changed everything. It made me who I am today."

Determined to share that healing with others, Samantha earneda degree in equine management and began working as the equine manager at a residential treatment center. Over time, she pursued additional certifications in EAGALA Equine Therapy, Equine-Assisted EMDR, and Parelli Natural Horsemanship.

Then came the leap of faith: In 2018, Samantha started TriStar Ranch, LLC. Two years later just a month before the COVID-19 shutdowns she committed to it full time.

"It forced me to think outside the box," she said. "The vision was simple: all things horses. But we made it personal. Every camp, class, or experience is tailored to the person. Whether it's a first-time rider, a family group, or someone in therapy we customize everything."

Samantha's journey expanded again in 2022 when she became a mother. Today, her son is a vibrant 2 year old who insists on helping feed the horses each morning. Her 7-month-old daughter tags along too.

"I used to be nervous about little kids around horses. But watching my toddler's joy- and the gentleness of our horses has been amazing. They just follow him around. This beautiful dynamic inspired me to offer equine exposure classes for other families and little kids."

Balancing life as a mom and business owner hasn't been easy. At first, Samantha tried multitasking running sessions while parenting full-time- but found herself overwhelmed.

"The breakthrough came when I decided to stop multitasking. I hired childcare and set clear boundaries: work time is work time, mom time is mom time. It changed everything" Reliable childcare in a college town hasn't been easy to come by, but the flexibility of in-home care allows her to stay close to her kids between clients- and keep them close to the horses they love.

On hard days, Samantha finds peace by spending just 15 quiet minutes near the corral.

"If the horses come up to me, great. If not, that's OK too. Just being there — still, in the fresh air — brings me back to myself."

The ranch itself is a classroom. Samantha is raising her children among daily chores, meaningful routines, and animals that teach responsibility, patience, and empathy. "Chores take longer with little hands," she laughs. "But kids need to help. We all do."

Their days are full — mornings start with feeding the animals, followed by work sessions, mealtime with her children, and ending again with horses and bedtime stories. It's a rhythm that's equal parts grounded and magical.

Another part of her work that has blossomed from her experience as both a horsewoman and a mother: a postpartum support group for new moms. Watching mares with their foals deepened her appreciation for the parallels between equine and human motherhood.

"It's a beautiful thing the tenderness, the fatiguе, the protectiveness, the joy. The ranch gives us a chance to see those things reflected in the animals, and to talk about them in ways that feel natural."

At TriStar Ranch, healing and connection go hand-inhand with open skies and open hearts. Their indoor arena, designed with transparent walls, lets in natural light and views of the mountains while still providing shelter — perfect for therapy clients who need privacy and peace.

"We're careful with our scheduling," Samantha said. "When someone's here for therapy or to learn to ride, they get the space to themselves. This is a place where healing can take root. Where people can feel still. Connected."

It's all for the love of horses. But more than that- it's about the lives changed by them. One rider, one child, one soul at a time.