Lisa Bedient – The Modern Day Horse Whisperer - TVR

Tanque Verde’s Lisa Bedient may be the Kid’s Program Supervisor and Head Harmony with Horses Program Coordinator, but her impact on ranch, it’s guests and the horses is more than just a horses tale.

Lisa discovered her love for horses at the young age 6, when her family moved from Corning, New York to Tucson, Arizona. Her childhood consisted of sneaking over to the neighbors to ride bare back when they were away. In her Jr. High years, she worked out a deal with a local farm where she would board her first horse in exchange for milking goats, feeding chickens and tending to other ranch animals.

She continued her horsemanship education into her 20’s, where she eventually assumed an education role, upon the passing of her dressage instructor. She also attended Pima Community College, receiving her LPN license, then worked as a nurse at Santa Catalina Nursing Home in Tucson. Once she started a family of her own, she decided to work as a barn manager and horse trainer, “I wanted to have the best of both worlds,” Lisa said, “spend time with my family and pursue my passion.”

And so Lisa did! In 1998, she joined the team at Tanque Verde Ranch and began her journey with both guests and horses, alike! “I love teaching the old west with new insights,” said Lisa, “by keeping it fresh and keeping it real,” she hopes both the novice and experienced riders will instill a greater passion for horsemanship through her guidance and instruction.

As Lisa’s days are full of surprises, she always starts her day with a round of prayers, a positive mindset, and looks forward to another day of working with the kids at the ranch, “their wonder and energetic nature inspire me.” Her favorite horse is Yoder, or also known as her “partner in crime,” and after a six year partnership, she still claims he chose her and not the other way around.

In the future, Lisa hopes to develop a teen program at the ranch, which will accommodate the 13 to 18 year olds, as well as continue to enhance the kids program with new and exciting activities. For more information on the Kids Program or Harmony with Horses, call (800)-234-3833, or email lbedient@tvgr.com.