A chance encounter at an AA meeting introduced Army veteran Zachary Leyden to a Vietnam veteran—and a Mustang named Kirby who would change how he understood trust.
After returning from Afghanistan, Zachary struggled with PTSD, isolation, and the loss of military structure. Following a DUI, he attended court-required AA meetings. There, an older veteran heard him talking about horses and invited him to work with Mustangs.
Zachary thought he had found an easy way through an obligation. His mentor saw an opportunity to help him reconnect with himself.
In this clip from The MisFitNation, Zachary shares why days of trying to halter Kirby ended with him sitting in the pasture—and how the horse finally choosing to approach became a turning point.
A powerful veteran story about mentorship, horsemanship, military transition, and finding purpose through connection.
What unexpected encounter changed the direction of your life? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations with veterans and people serving their communities.
Explore Zachary’s work:
https://www.oceanviewstables.com
More from The MisFitNation:
https://www.themisfitnation.com
🔗 Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/_srsdHi8G3A
#ZacharyLeyden #Veterans #Horsemanship
