6252 King Hill Canal Road, P.O. Box 84, Bliss, ID 83314
Amita C. Smith moved from Sun Valley to Bliss more than several years ago, hoping to find a place to raise her two young daughters with a sense of connectedness to the land and the local people who earn a living from the land. Thus was born the Across the River Horse Ranch, located “across the river” from the small town of Bliss, Idaho.
Amita started the ranch with just a few horses and dogs. Over time, the ranch has evolved into a sanctuary for rescued horses and other stray or unwanted animals. Presently, the ranch is home to a few dozen horses, several dogs, several more cats, two goats, a lama, and a cow.
In 2015, the Ranch started working with wilderness therapy programs to provide equine motivational guidance to youth, employing Amita Smith’s unique and innovative methods for connecting a child’s interaction with horses as a guide to acquiring self-confidence, focus,