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All-terrain vehicles aren’t typical tools in therapy, but for Cowboys Mud Racing, the machines are the main medium.
The organization started in June as a way for men struggling with their mental health to get outside, gain their confidence on the trail and connect with other men.
President Ryan Ward says he took what he learned from his own struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, thoughts of suicide and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and wanted to bring that to others.
“It’s very humbling to know that through the power of my story, we are helping other men change who they are and helping them realize that no matter what they’re going through, no matter what they’re dealing with, they can get through it,” said Ward, who lives near St-Pierre-Jolys, Man.
“Change is possible.”
Ward suffered a severe brain injury in a motorcycle accident three years ago. It left him unable to walk or talk, and his wife became his full-time caregiver. He received care from a brain specialist and eventually regained the ability to walk and talk.
Ward struggled to get on quads to check fields while working on Brown’s farm after he suffered a severe brain injury in a motorcycle accident. He created Cowboys Mud Racing to try to help other men struggling with their mental health. (Jura McIlraith/CBC)
Ward applied for a job at Brian Brown’s farm near St-Pierre-Jolys. He says Brown noticed he struggled getting on a quad to go from field to field. Slowly, after going back to the basics with Brown, Ward got back on the machine.
Ward says Brown became a father figure to him, and he calls him “pops.” They took part in their first mud bog in June, and Cowboys Mud Racing began. Mud bogging is a form of off-road motorsport that involves driving vehicles through a muddy race track course.
“The man has moved mountains for me, but I’ve also put in a lot of work and blood, sweat and tears to do it, too,” Ward said. “It gives me purpose to go out and help others instead of taking from the community.”
Ward says the group of 13 men in Manitoba, with a chapter with five in Alberta, was founded on brotherhood and camaraderie.
A typical ride takes members on trails and can go through hills, water and mud. When the terrain gets challenging, Ward and Brown stand beside members to help “push past the fear that they’re dealing with,” Ward said.
Brown says he likes listening to others and offering advice if needed. Cowboys Mud Racing is a way for him to give back to his community by helping others. (Jura McIlraith/CBC)
Getting outside is a way to focus your mind on the task at hand, he says.
“When I was out in the bush and I was riding, nothing else mattered. It was me, the bush and nature,” Ward said. “I feel at peace with myself when I’m done riding.”
Brown agrees the format is a helpful distraction.
“Naturally, if you don’t pay attention to where you’re going, you’re gonna hit something,” Brown said. “The distraction of looking at the trees or if you see a rabbit run across or a deer, that also distracts you from what your problem is right at the moment.”
Brown says he likes being able to listen to others and offer advice, if that’s what they need. It’s also a way for him to give back to his community.
Getting outdoors is a way to help people open up, he said.
“It relaxes them more,” Brown said. “If they’re relaxed they might … start talking, and their problems might start coming out, so it gives them a release.”
Jessica Smith, director of engagement at Thrive Community Support Circle in Winnipeg, says Cowboys Mud Racing gives men an opportunity to connect with peers and open the door for new friendships.
Cowboys Mud Racing is supporting Thrive by donating money to the group from merchandise it sells.
Jessica Smith of Thrive Community Support Circle says peer support for men is crucial. She says it’s a way to break down some of the stigma surrounding men’s mental health. (Zoom)
Smith says there’s often a stigma around men’s mental health. She says it’s common for men to be told to simply “suck it up,” so it’s important for them to learn healthy ways to regulate emotions.
“It’s just normalizing [that] life has its ups and downs, and … there’s a way out,” Smith said. “There are supports out there.”
Smith said she’s looking forward to seeing where the partnership leads.
Ward said men’s mental health isn’t talked about enough. The time of being told to “walk it off,” “shut up” or “be a man” is over.
“As men, we need to be able to cry. We need to be able to get angry. We need to be able to sometimes just yell and let it out,” Ward said. “Unfortunately, due to most of our upbringings, we haven’t been able to do that.”
Ward and Brown say the growth of Cowboys Mud Racing in its first few months has been unexpected. The pair hopes to spread the organization across the country, with plans to eventually expand into the United States.
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Men’s support group uses ATVs as therapy tool
Cowboys Mud Racing helps men build confidence on and off the trail, while connecting them with other men going through mental health struggles.