
On his 40th birthday, late at night and alone in his shop, David Jones took stock of the life he’d built and the one he stood to lose—and knew something had to shift. If he didn’t change directions, everything he loved would slip away, this time, for good.
Raised in Llano, Texas, Jones, now 59, grew up surrounded by greats like Rich Skelton, Tee Woolman and Tyler Magnus. From the time he could walk, a rope and a horse were part of who he was, and by 12 years old he was match roping. Following the lead of his father, Texas Rodeo Hall-of-Famer Jody Jones, he made a life of the sport, until he “got sidetracked.”
For Jones, that sidetrack was a 22-year detour fueled by drug addiction and bad decisions—an untenable cycle of using, quitting and relapsing.
It all came to a head the night he turned 40.
The Turning Point
“I looked around and realized I was completely alone on my birthday doing drugs all by myself,” Jones said. “And I thought, ‘Where did it all go? What happened? What am I doing with my life?’ That day, I decided I was done for good. So I called Jack and said, ‘Hey, I’m in trouble. I need some help.’”
Jack was “Cactus” Jack Stephenson, the late founder of Cactus Ropes and a longtime friend of the Jones family. A week later, Jones was living at Stephenson’s ranch, where he spent the next three years recommitting to his faith and his sobriety.
With hard-earned experience and healing under his belt, Jones and his wife, Gayla, went on to serve at Miracle Farm Boys Ranch, a residential program for at-risk youth in Brenham, Texas. There, they spent 11 years as house parents, helping teenage boys learn confidence, discipline, responsibility and how to build healthy relationships through ranch life.
Still, he sensed God had another purpose for him.
Founding 180 Ranch
“I always knew in my heart I wanted to do rehab for adults, and God showed me the vision of a working cowboy drug rehab,” Jones said. “So after 11 years, we closed that chapter and returned to South Texas where it all began. And so the 180 Ranch was founded, named because we believe everyone can turn their life around.”
Rodeo, ranching and agriculture communities certainly breed grit—but as David and Gayla have observed, that same toughness can make it hard for folks to ask for help. And with the ever-increasing accessibility to a wide variety of vices, the number of cowboys quietly fighting battles is growing.
That challenge is precisely what 180 Ranch was founded to meet, by providing an environment where men feel comfortable asking for—and receiving—assistance.

Redefining Toughness
“A lot of these guys come from the cowboy world, and they have this mentality that asking for help is weak,” Gayla said. “They think they’ve got to pull themselves up by the bootstraps. We’re trying to show them that true toughness is being able to admit you need help—and being brave enough to ask for it.”
When they do ask for help, the Joneses are ready to offer practical guidance, structure, and a clear path forward.
At 180 Ranch, recovery starts with a simple idea: real change happens best in a place where cowboys naturally belong—at the ranch. Built specifically for cowboys battling addiction, the 90-day faith-based residential program balances down-to-earth Christian guidance with the steady rhythms of ranch life on 200 acres—early mornings, Bible studies, honest work and routine. The Joneses have lived this journey themselves, and they’ve built a place where others can start turning their lives around—for good.
“We only take four guys at a time,” David explained. “We keep it small so we can spend one-on-one time with each individual.”
Each day starts with a 7 a.m. Bible study, followed by a hearty breakfast and a full day of hands-on ranch work. The 180 is a true working ranch, with cattle to raise and horses to train. From feeding and fencing to roping and doctoring, every chore is one more step to building discipline and self-respect.
As David puts it, “God blesses sweat.”

Faith, Sweat and Second Chances
In addition to the work, the Joneses lead daily recovery sessions and attend biweekly church services, men’s groups and fellowship classes. Guest pastors, speakers and ropers frequently visit to mentor, teach and inspire—offering proof that healing and wholeness are possible.
In the six years since it’s been established, some 50 men have successfully gone through the 180 Ranch program.
They’ve come from all over the country and from a wide variety of circumstances. “Some of their stories would blow your skirt up,” David said, but at 180 Ranch, they find a common purpose: to lay down old wounds and pick up a new beginning built on honesty, confidence and faith.
For these men, it’s not about pretending the past didn’t happen, but owning it, and committing to using those experiences to build something better.
“The secret is fresh air and space,” David said. “In so many ways, trauma and substances have taken away their identities. We provide the breathing room—indoors, outdoors, mentally, physically—for them to breathe deep, be still and rediscover who they are.”
David also brings a lifetime of horse training to his leadership style, using the same philosophy with people that he does with colts.
“I learned this about horses a long time ago: turn them up, turn them down and turn them out,” David explained. “And my horses are great because of that theory right there. I apply that to my guys here. Make mistakes. Make mistakes right here in a safe environment. We’re going to love you no matter what. We’re going to learn to deal with the mistake you made. We’re going to learn to talk through that. We’re going to pray about it, and then we’re going to go on about our business.”

Passion and Purpose
Although his focus is firmly on helping others these days, David still finds time to rope—when he can.
“I do, and I don’t, if that makes sense,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t really get out like I used to. But I still have some really cool horses.”
True to form, David channels his passion for horsemanship into building horses for others at every level—specifically, ropers who need solid, jackpot-ready mounts. “I like to make young horses and get ’em jackpot ready. I still stay in touch with those guys who are out there on the road, and always have a horse or two available for them if they’re looking.”
He still jackpots locally and hits a World Series of Team Roping event every now and again, mostly to get his horses seasoned for the folks he thinks they’ll fit best. “I don’t rodeo. I can’t even remember the last time I roped at a rodeo,” he admitted. “But I stay close to it through the horses. That’s my favorite part.”
That balance of passion and purpose is what defines David Jones. Whether it’s roping, recovery or raising colts—and men—he brings the same steady hand and unwavering belief in second chances.
At 180 Ranch, redemption isn’t just preached—it’s practiced. In the saddle. In the sweat. In the quiet moments of clarity that come when a man learns how to be still, listen and try again.
To learn more about 180 Ranch’s mission and future plans, visit facebook.com/the180ranch.
—TRJ—
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