Horses understand people better than most humans do, says REALTOR® Travis Bickham Patton, 60, with Armstrong Real Estate in Comanche, Texas. As a child growing up on ranches in South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana, she learned horses intuitively know to offer warmth, protection and compassion.
So, in 2020—after leaving a 20-year corporate career—Patton started a real estate career and established a faith-based nonprofit, Morning Star Ranch, with Lanell Upshaw. The 15-acre ranch in the central Texas city of Dublin offers equine-assisted learning to help children overcome challenges, from fetal alcohol syndrome to domestic violence, neurodivergence, sexual abuse, divorce and financial hardship. Teachers, counselors, pastors, parents and caregivers refer children aged 4 to 15 to the nonprofit.
Seeing the joy her two children and four grandchildren experienced in being around horses inspired Patton to start the program.
Her own lifelong bond with horses was another strong motivator. By the time she graduated from high school, she says, she had moved at least 20 times.
“I’ve always been a people person, so it was fun to meet new people and see new places, but I was always the outsider,” she says. “When all my chores were done, I’d go to the barn and ride for an hour or two into the moonlight to let go of the stress in our home. Horses became my best friends.”
‘Love ‘em as We Get Them’
At Morning Star Ranch, Patton launched programs for after-school, weekend and summer attendance, and she began to recruit adult volunteers. Interest was immediate.
“Children wanted to get on a horse right away and go fast,” Patton says. She knew to introduce them slowly to horsemanship skills: how to clean saddles, examine horses for cuts and build rapport by getting close to the animals and talking to them kindly. “We have structure and rules that include quiet voices and no running, which is hard for some to follow who live in chaos and broken environments,” she says.
Horses are patient, she says, understanding a child’s manner and tone. “They know to lean their heads down, put their eyes on a child’s level and synchronize heart rates to help reduce the stress and anxiety of those they recognize need help,” she says. (Science backs her up.) “Each horse has its own personality, and we carefully match the right horse and rider,” Patton says.
The approach has proved magical. Children repeatedly return, thriving in the protective setting as they gain skills, confidence and other life lessons.
Kyleigh Page first visited Morning Star Ranch five years ago, at age 7, with her grandmother. “Her head didn’t move, her face showed no emotion, her language skills were limited mostly to grunts except for angry outbursts, and her frustration led her to bite others, leaving bruises,” Patton says. “From the beginning, our motto has been, ‘Love ‘em as we get them,’ and we do.”
Page’s connection with a horse was instantaneous, Patton recalls. “She walked into the barn. Hickory put his eyes on her, and Kyleigh moved into his space and wrapped her hands around his neck. They bonded that day, though she sometimes took out her frustrations on him. We taught her it’s OK to be angry but not with those who love you, including horses whose love is unconditional,” Patton says.
Slowly, Page’s blossomed. Now 12, she continues to visit the ranch to groom horses and ride. Patton describes her as well-spoken, well-mannered and excelling in school.
Living Miracles Every Day
Since the ranch opened, more than 450 children have participated free of charge in a variety of events, with authentic activities found on a working ranch. Patton also runs more in-depth learning opportunities such as advanced horsemanship with wrangling.
She hired a program director to oversee daily ranch operations, assisted by a network of 50 to 60 volunteers. Since the start, more than 2,000 volunteers have helped, she says.
Nicole Petet with Moore Home & Ranch Realty volunteered early on, having met Patton through a local rodeo committee. Petet quickly noted Patton’s boundless enthusiasm and connection with the kids. “She gets them to open up, laugh and feel love, but respects their boundaries. When she’s not there, they all want to know, ‘Where’s Miss Travis?’”
The success of her work has led to more than $100,000 in donations, including from real estate colleagues. “Someone will say, ‘Hey, I had a good year,’ and help fund a horse,” Patton says. To offset expenses, she allows a limited number of children to take riding lessons whose parents can pay.
She extends her generosity by building new bridges. “I live in a small world but work hard to have an impact rather than have each of us remain in our own silos,” she says.
She partners with Tarleton State University to offer other animal therapy for children, works with the Texas Health Hospital chain to provide free on-site counseling to clients and caregivers, and is planning a trauma-informed care farm with small animals and a garden.
Her wish list never stops. She dreams of getting more space and funding to house children overnight in a residency program and opening more locations. Her hands-on board helps guide choices, teach classes, network and raise funds. “We keep [board members] in the saddle riding horses monthly, which gives them knowledge to share with the kids,” she says.
And every day, Patton remains grateful. “I get to see and live miracles every day. God has always provided for me, and I try to do that for these kids. I just can’t quit on them.”
