Kim Stone of Harpswell, Maine, does not have a room full of ribbons, nor does she have a closet full of show gear. What she does have are three amazing Paint mares that have not only saved her life on more than one occasion but also become members of her family—and they always will be.

Although she’d ridden for years, Stone took her first official lesson in 2008 at age 43—a horsemanship clinic with legendary trainer Buck Brannaman. From there, she decided on a second clinic—this time with another well-respected clinician, Martin Black, who helped her find a connection with her three rescued Paints that left her seeking more. As a result, Stone was invited to work for Black and his wife, Jennifer, last summer as a cook while they worked cattle at the Alvord Ranch in Princeton, Oregon. Now in her second year with the Blacks, Stone has had life-altering experiences learning about the true spirit of horses and, most importantly, of her three Paints.