Bridled Spirit was created when two Moms, Kimberly O’Donnell and Jessica Daviaux, were mucking out stalls and had the vision of cultivating their love for horses through a monthly subscription box for horse lovers. These two wanted to support equestrians, the amount of work that goes into this passion, while also wanting to support small businesses with an aim for all products to be innovative and unique for anyone who loves horses!
We asked what the work/horse/life balance was like for this dynamic duo. Their response, "Being an equestrian very much is the drive for our business! There is an immense amount of work and time that goes into these animals and not a lot of people talk about WHY we do so much for this passion. We want to change that and give the horse industry a way to have a monthly experience that cultivates your passion. A way to support you and your horse in a way that leaves you feeling uplifted and encouraged by receiving one of our boxes!"
We were able to learn a bit more about Kimberly and Jessica's love for horses got started:
Kimberly: I was 13 years old and I was hooked. I began riding Hunter/Jumper and then moved to England when I was 16 years old. I began testing with the British Horse Society and found my love for Dressage. After I graduated from High School at The American School in London I stayed for University and completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Equestrian Studies at Berkshire College of Agriculture. I met my husband and we moved back to USA where we bought land in the Midwest and built our own small horse farm to raise our children and share our love for horses with other families.
Jessica: My love for horses began when I was nine years old and in Girl Scouts. We went on overnight trips and riding horses was one of the activities. Over the years that connection was lost but now that I am a mother to our daughter that love and passion has been renewed! Our daughter started to show an interest in riding when she was just six years old and the rest is history! We leased our first horse August 2017 and in March 2018 we purchased her first horse! It has been an exciting adventure where we hope she will continue to grow and flourish.
These women gave us some insight on which horse has been most influential in their lives:
Kimberly: My first horse, without a doubt! I had a 6 year old Morgan mare, named Foxy and she taught me so much about who I am today. She was never an “easy” ride, she taught me how to persevere and never give up. She allowed me to grow every day and keep learning! Fear was never an option, I loved that she taught me so many invaluable life lessons as a teenager that had a direct reflection on who I became as an adult.
Jessica: Our current horse Dixie hands down. Dixie has been just what my daughter needed to continue her riding when the horse she was leasing went lame and would only be good for light trail riding. Dixie has been the confidence builder that my daughter needed to continue showing. While she is an older horse she still makes her work for it and is the gentlest, sweetest horse you will ever meet. So much so that we have already deicide that once my daughter out grows her and begins jumping we will keep Dixie and she will live out the rest of her life with us.
Kimberly mentioned that the biggest life lesson she's learned from horses is "not to be afraid of growth. We are always learning, and every minute spent with a horse I learn more about who I am and how I can be more patient, a better listener, more joyful."
This mixed with perseverance were the the team's advice for other equestrians looking to start their own business. "Find a network of other likeminded equestrian businesses who will cheer you on and support you! You have your own unique story to share, don’t compare yourself to others", explains Jessica.
