Horse Pedestals
A few months ago, Greg found himself standing in the food line at a local Cochrane event when he met Spirit Winds Ranch founder Laural Griffen. Like many chance conversations, it began casually, but before long Laural was sharing the story of the ranch and the remarkable work happening there.
Laural spoke about the ranch’s mission to support children and youth facing a wide range of personal challenges. In a quiet, non-riding environment, horses become partners in healing and growth. The ranch offers a safe and patient space where trust can be built slowly, confidence can return, and young people can reconnect with themselves and others. Through equine-assisted learning, moments of understanding often happen without many words. It’s gentle work, rooted in empathy, respect, and care.
About a month later, Laural reached out to ask whether the Cochrane Men's Shed could help by building horse pedestals for the ranch. The answer was immediate: yes.
The men gathered in the workshop and got to work, building four pedestals right away. To many people, a horse pedestal is just a sturdy raised platform. But in groundwork and equine-assisted programs, it becomes much more than that. Horses step onto the platform as part of confidence-building exercises, and the activity creates opportunities for calm interaction, trust, and connection between horse and human.
As the men worked side by side in the shop, the project became a reminder of something equally important to the Men's Shed mission: the value of connection. This project is a reminder of what community can look like at its best. A simple conversation between two people led to a meaningful partnership. One organization offers healing through horses; another offers time, skills, and willing hands. Together, those efforts create something that neither could've accomplished alone.
We're deeply grateful to The Common Works for providing the space that allows the Men's Shed to take on projects like this. And most of all, thank you to the men who rolled up their sleeves, showed up, and built these pedestals with care.
And to Laural for inviting us to be part of the work happening at Spirit Winds Ranch.
