Story from the field
Female Veterans Gather at Coulter Lake Guest Ranch
The first annual Coulter Lake Guest Ranch Horseback Riding Adventure welcomed female Veterans from four states for riding, shared meals, and time outdoors.
Female Veterans traveled from Alabama, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Missouri for the first annual Coulter Lake Guest Ranch Horseback Riding Adventure in Rifle, Colorado, in July 2026.
Kelly and Forest Keith, Dina, and Maru welcomed the group to the ranch for horseback riding, shared meals, open country, and time with other Veterans.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart helped fund the experience during Veteran's Outdoor Therapy's first year.
Over the following days, the group covered basic grooming, tacking, round pen work, and beginning riding practices with Connie Stone as their Equine Therapy Instructor, along with off-roading and a hike through Rifle Falls State Park.
Videographer Amanda Trudell captured the trip on film, and Veteran's Outdoor Therapy is grateful to every volunteer and donor whose generosity made the experience possible.
Watch
Healing through Horses - Veteran's Outdoor Therapy
In their words
What participants are saying
I am so grateful for this experience! I genuinely enjoyed being around so many strong and inspiring veterans. The hosts, Kelly, Forest, Dina, and Maru were so gracious and welcoming. I loved the home-cooked and family-style meals as well as the stimulating conversations. I really had such a great time.
This event has meant everything to me. It was so amazing to connect with fellow female veterans who get it. It has helped heal parts of me I didn't know needed it. Talking with Connie about same shared feelings has helped me realize I'm not alone and that seeking help can only help. Thank you for organizing this incredible trip.
Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful space. You have been so welcoming and accommodating to our group. I felt like a family member instead of a guest. Your ranch is truly stunning, and I would recommend it to anyone!
Your hospitality is something to be admired. The food was amazing and the portions extremely generous! I walked away from each meal full and incredibly happy. Your guided rides were so informative and fun and your patience with us was admirable. I so enjoyed our conversations around the dinner table. Thank you both for everything.
Everyone was Phenomenal! The food was great! The amount of detail that went into not only the VOT portion but the stay at the ranch, was amazing. I felt so taken care of and spoiled. The instructions were thorough and made for a safe experience. Dinners with Kelly, Forest, Maru and Dina truly felt like we were one big family and felt really special…I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I was so impressed that Maru and Dina not only served us food, but were guides and helped with all the horse stuff and made sure we had everything we needed. This event means a ton to me. I've been really stressed back at home and burning at both ends, and to just get away and disconnect a bit from reality and be able to be truly present in nature, somewhere beautiful & with good people gave my soul life again! The camaraderie is always something you miss when you leave the service so its nice to be around people who have gone through similar things as you. I got to do something I love, but also challenge myself and experience something I never have before. I'm so grateful to Kelly & Forest for opening up our home to us along with sharing their home and stories.
Thank you Connie for allowing me to stay back on the second ride to relax! Thank you Amanda for doing the interviews, all the photos and helping with the horses! I have learned so much about the horses, history of the area, each other and myself. This will be always in my heart! You are Bad Asses!! Crystal, I loved the flex schedule, sleep in time and relaxed yet planned days. It was just enough without being too much in either direction. Thank you for the gift bags and the time you put into this to bring us all together. You made us feel so welcomed, at home and like part of the family. Thank you for your kindness, your patience, and for creating an experience that reminded us of the healing power of community, nature and horses. We leave with full hearts and deep gratitude!
From the field
Photos from the trip
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