REEDLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - At the 50-acre Ride Foundation ranch in Reedley, visitors are surrounded by tranquility, a feeling many like Jeremy Thissell describe as a safe haven. After 16 years of active duty, Thissell struggled with isolation and mental health but found healing through the f oundation’s programs. "Working with the horses kind of reopens those thoughts and feelings again with being vulnerable because, through military service and working with law enforcement, you don't show emotion; you don't do that, and I realized I was missing that," said Thissell. Founded by Sarah Muzquiz a decade ago, the Ride Foundation offers equine-assisted activities that help participants build skills like non-verbal communication, self-confidence, trust, and leadership. "For example, when first-time participants walk in, they might be standing with aggressive posturing they might have their fists quenched, maybe biting down on their jaw maybe not breathing steadily because their nervous the horse picks up on all of these things," said Muzquiz. "It's a real good indicator of what you bring into a room.” Inside the horse pen, Muzquiz coaches participants to breathe, relax, and connect with the horses, whose ability to read emotions enhances the healing process. Jaimie Nola started attending in 2022 interested in the program for veterans. Initially, she says the experience was intimidating because it was mostly men but quickly, she felt right at home. "The equine-assisted activities that we do are very helpful and you don't really know how much it's helping until you leave here, and you realize your relationships are better because you can communicate better because you can control your emotions better all because of working with horses," said Nola.  For some veterans like Toby Bell, the Ride Foundation has helped him overcome addiction, and has now been drug-free for a year and a half. Bell says he says he will never forget the first time he visited the ranch. "I was blown away," said Bell. "I needed something that was bigger than my intrusive thoughts, my addictions, and my survivor's guilt, and horses are a lot bigger than I am and a lot of my problems, so it forced me to come out of that.” Yuliana Cayetano is studying agriculture and business at Fresno State and is also a volunteer at the Ride Foundation. Volunteering with the recovery group has already made a great impact on her experience.  “Last week when I was with the recovery group, I talked to a lot of them, I engaged in conversation and a lot of their past experiences really touched my heart and I want to see ways I can help people with similar backgrounds," said Cayetano.  The foundation also provides a forever home for wild mustangs, once deemed unadoptable, giving them a new purpose while helping others. The Ride Foundation’s mission is all about healing both horses and hundreds of people each year. "I do this for the people," said Muzquiz. "It’s kind of selfish because it’s the feeling I get when I'm helping people and seeing their process and taking these wild horses that are being discarded find a new purpose in life and help them as well. Helping these people and horses, it's addicting.” On June 14, the Ride Foundation will be hosting its annual "Wild Hearts, Stronger Souls, A Home For Healing" banquet dinner which helps run their programs throughout the year.  It will be held at the Portuguese Banquet Hall at 5 p.m. on 172 W. Jefferson Ave. in Fresno. To purchase tickets, click here. ...read more read less