Seen Through Horses: The Transformative Power of Horses for Veterans

A veteran engages with a therapy horse during a H.O.O.V.E.S. program. Photo credit: Sean McConnell

For many Veterans, returning to civilian life comes with invisible wounds. The weight of post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and the challenges of reintegration can diminish well-being and quality of life. Yet across the country, Veterans are discovering a unique path to healing—through the profound connection between humans and horses.

Healing Through Horses

In 2024, Horses for Mental Health (HMH) and Arenas for Change (ARCH), with funding from the Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant (VA ASG), partnered with 14 organizations across 11 states to provide equine-assisted learning services for 354 Veterans.

To assess the impact, 213 Veterans completed pre- and post-program assessments, and the results were remarkable:

✅ 93% reported improved mental health and well-being

✅ 99% said working with horses significantly enhanced their healing

The true impact is best understood through the voices of those who experienced it firsthand:

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

"I was barely a shell of a man when I came here. Now, I have confidence, clarity, and for the first time in decades, I see a future for myself."

"Horses don’t judge. They just meet you where you are. That made all the difference."

"For the first time, I feel like I’m not just surviving—I’m actually living again."

A Path to Transformation

At the heart of this work is transformation—what Arenas for Change calls an “ARCH Moment.” These life-changing turning points mark the shift from struggle to hope, allowing individuals to step through a metaphorical arch of new perspectives and personal growth.

For Veterans, healing unfolds in the presence of a horse, where the nervous system—often overstimulated and dysregulated by trauma—can begin to settle. Horses offer a calm, nonjudgmental space, allowing Veterans to experience safety, connection, and trust.

"Being in their presence is the greatest peace I have ever experienced!" – Veteran participant

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Amanda Held - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Amanda Held - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Horses’ intuitive responses provide honest, unfiltered feedback, reflecting emotions and behaviors in ways that help Veterans process their experiences from a new perspective.

“They showed me how I was showing up to others, and I did not realize that at first. It was eye-opening, for sure.” – Veteran participant

Through these interactions, many Veterans describe a profound reconnection—not just with the horses, but with their own authentic selves.

“I feel lighter and more free to be myself.” – Veteran participant

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Amanda Held, founder of H.O.O.V.E.S. in Ohio, has witnessed these transformations firsthand. “Many Veterans walk into our program feeling disconnected and hopeless. But after working with the horses alongside our personal growth curriculum, they rediscover trust, confidence, and purpose. The grant funding allowed us to serve Veterans who might not have had access otherwise.”

For Carol Young at Healing Strides of Virginia, the experience is just as profound. “The most powerful thing is watching a Veteran who was once withdrawn begin to reconnect—with themselves, with others, and with life. These programs aren’t just helping—they’re saving lives.”

A veteran participating in an equine-assisted services program at Healing Strides of VA.

Healing Strides of VA facility

Sustaining the Impact - Seen Through Horses Campaign

Providing these services takes dedication—not just to the Veterans, but also to the horses. Programs rely on financial support to ensure proper care for their equine partners, maintain facilities, and train skilled facilitators.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Beyond the VA Grant, programs like H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA expanded their reach through the Seen Through Horses Campaign, a national awareness and fundraising effort led by Horses for Mental Health, with support from title sponsor Zoetis. 

Through this initiative, these organizations gained visibility, attracted new supporters, and secured additional funding to continue serving Veterans and caring for their horses.

"Participating in the campaign allowed us to reach more people who believe in the power of horses to heal," said Young. "It helped us sustain our work, not just for the Veterans, but for the horses who make it possible.”

The Bigger Picture: Horses for Mental Health & ARCH

The Seen Through Horses Campaign, produced annually by Horses for Mental Health during May, Mental Health Awareness Month, brings together programs nationwide to increase awareness, raise funding, and advocate for the integration of horses in mental health care and personal growth services.

Additionally, many of these programs benefit from training and support through Arenas for Change (ARCH), which equips facilitators with an innovative, story-based approach in their equine-assisted work. This approach helps professionals create safe, engaging, and meaningful experiences, empowering clients to author their own transformative journeys.

The results are clear:

✅ Veterans are healing

✅ Programs are growing

✅ More people are recognizing the power of horses to change lives.

And for the men and women who have served our country, that means hope—not just for today, but for the future.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Megan Smits - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Support the Mission

To learn more about these programs or to get involved:

Horses for Mental Health: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/ 

Arenas for Change (ARCH): https://arenasforchange.com/

To access the full VA Grant outcome report, visit: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/veterans-2024grantreport/

Visit the website

Support the 2025 Campaign

Visit the website

EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Tyler Brklacich Co-Founder & Executive Director of Horses for Mental Health and Lynn Thomas, CEO and Founder of Arenas for Change (ARCH). Please share the link to this article to help raise awareness about HMH’s Seen Through Horses Campaign, especially during May which is Mental Health Awareness month.

All images Copyright Horses for Mental Health, H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Horses for Mental Health , H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA.

#horsesformentalhealth #seenthroughhorsescampaign #seenthroughhorses #arenasforchange #equinetherapy #mentalhealthawrenessmonth #horseshelpingpeople #veterans#veterans equine-assisted mental health programs #H.O.O.V.E.S. #HealingStridesofVA #zoetisequine #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Operation Equine: Harnessing the Healing Power of Horses for Military Service Members, Veterans, First Responders, and Their Families

Operation Equine serving the Aurora Fire Peer Support Team at Praying Hands Ranch

Operation Equine offers transformative equine assisted therapy experiences tailored specifically for military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families, as well as for organizations who also serve our country’s Warriors and Protectors.

Founded on the belief in every human’s innate capacity for resilience, and the understanding of the profound healing bond between humans and horses, Operation Equine operates from a holistic approach, combining the naturally curious, powerful, and relational personalities of horses with evidence-based therapeutic techniques. Our team comprises experienced mental health therapists, certified equine specialists, and our multifaceted equine partners, providing a safe and non-judgmental environment for all participants.

Josh receiving a horse hug

How Operation Equine Works

Building trust is a foundational aspect of our program, mirroring the process of earning a horse's trust. By learning how to calm their nervous systems using mindful breathing and grounding techniques, and by practicing patience and the power of observation, participants learn to establish connections with their equine partners, fostering an environment of honest communication and relationship-building, encouraging them to embody what it truly means to feel present in the here-and-now.

Most sessions include ground-based activities such as grooming, leading, groundwork exercises, and experiential exercises specifically designed for building self-confidence, improving communication skills, and encouraging emotional regulation, fostering a sense of empowerment and connection: both individually and with their families.

For those grappling with the challenges of post-traumatic stress, moral injury, depression, anxiety, military sexual trauma, transition stress, and family challenges, the therapeutic presence of horses provides a calming and grounding influence, allowing participants to learn and/or regain a sense of agency within themselves, develop healthier coping strategies, and forge a renewed sense of purpose for themselves and for their families in a therapeutic, non-clinical environment.

WARRIOR Pack Trip Video 2020 Award at Equus Film Festival

Our signature program - The WARRIOR Pack Trip - incorporates the best of what we do on the ground with the experiential nature of wilderness therapy by hiring professional outfitters to take small groups of Veterans out on horseback, culminating in an integrative 6-day experience. This program is intended to not only partner with our participants to help them set and reach their personal goals, but also to provide the teamwork, camaraderie, and renewed sense of purpose that they yearn for.

By harnessing the innate wisdom, sensitivity, and relational nature of horses, Operation Equine

offers the unwavering support of a community dedicated to our participants’ ultimate well-being,

providing sanctuary where wounds are transformed into sources of strength, self-acceptance, and resilience.

Founder Michelle Kaye

WARRIOR Pack Trip participants

Training - Praying Hands Ranch

Through our innovative approach and our culturally competent providers, we honor the courage, the passion, the creativity, and natural leadership of military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families, reminding them of a brighter future filled with more possibility, self-forgiveness, and renewed purpose.

Equine-assisted therapy resonates deeply with veterans for several reasons:

1. Nonverbal Communication: Veterans often struggle to verbalize their experiences and emotions, especially those related to trauma. Horses communicate primarily through body language, offering a nonverbal avenue for veterans to express themselves and feel understood without the pressure of articulating their thoughts.
   

2. Trust and Agency: Veterans who have experienced trauma may struggle with issues of trust and self-regulation. Working with horses requires building trust and mutual respect, allowing veterans to regain a sense of agency in their interactions. As they develop a bond with their equine partners, veterans experience a shift in perspective, realizing that trust can be earned and agency over oneself can be regained.
   

3. Presence and Mindfulness: Horses are inherently present creatures, attuned to their surroundings and the emotions of those around them. Through interacting with horses, veterans learn to be present in the moment, practicing mindfulness and grounding techniques that help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, “checking out,” and hyperarousal.
   

4. Empowerment and Self-Reflection: Equine-assisted activities often involve setting and achieving goals, whether it's guiding a horse through an obstacle course or building a relationship through grooming. These accomplishments foster a sense of empowerment and self-efficacy, allowing veterans to see their strengths and capabilities in action. Additionally, horses are highly perceptive animals that reflect back the emotions and behaviors of those around them. Through observing the responses of their equine partners, veterans gain insight into their own emotions and behaviors, facilitating self-awareness and self-reflection.
   

5. Connection and Community: It’s about community: Military Service Members operate in “units,” horses operate in a herd. Equine-assisted therapy provides a unique opportunity for veterans to connect with others who share similar experiences. Group sessions foster camaraderie and support, creating a sense of belonging and community that is crucial for healing and recovery. The shared bond of working with horses and with each other transcends verbal communication, creating a space where veterans can feel more connected, less “on guard,” and better understood.

Annual Barnyard Julilee!

Help to support our Military Service Members, Veterans, and their families through the unique power of working with horses.

Save the date for Wednesday, September 18 to celebrate Operation Equine's 5-year anniversary and annual Barnyard Jubilee! Follow us on Facebook for tickets and more information as it becomes available.

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Operation Equine's 5th Anniversary Celebration & Barnyard Jubilee Fundraiser

Barnyard Jubilee

2023 Hero Awards Winner - Community, Michelle Kaye & Opertion Equine

Operation Equine

Operation Equine Team

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EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Michelle Kaye, Founder and Executive Director, Operation Equine for writing an excellent article and sharing photographs. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved in Operation Equine for providing equine-assisted services for Active Military Members, Veterans, First Responders, and thier families.

All images Copyright Operation Equine -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Operation Equine.

#OperationEquine #equine-assistedtherapy #VeteransEquinePrograms #FirstResponders #ActiveMilitaryMembers #horseshelpingpeople #equine-assistedservices #mentalhealthservices #therapyhorses #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Equine-assisted Services: For the Benefit of Horses and Humans Alike

Dr. Temple Grandin with a therapy horse at TGEC

World-renowned Autism advocate and livestock handling and welfare expert, Dr. Temple Grandin, claims “Horses were my salvation.  Horses saved my life.”  Therefore, it was natural to create an initiative in Dr. Grandin’s honor where horses and the horse environment were studied and used to help benefit human lives as well as where those studies also focused on equine welfare and the horse’s role in society.  Voiila, the Temple Grandin Equine Center!

The Temple Grandin Equine Center (TGEC) is Colorado State University’s initiative focused on research, education, and outreach in equine-assisted services (EAS).  Named after CSU Professor of Animal Sciences, Dr. Temple Grandin, the TGEC operates out of two locations: the flagship center is at the CSU Foothills Campus in Fort Colorado, CO (https://agsci.colostate.edu/tgec/) and the second center has recently opened at the CSU Spur campus at the National Western Center in Denver, CO (https://csuspur.org/tgec/).  Both centers have research studies pertaining to EAS and host EAS programs and services such as occupational and physical therapy, mental health counseling, and therapeutic and adaptive horsemanship.  The TGEC in Fort Collins is home to undergraduate education focused on EAS, while TGEC at CSU Spur hosts internships and fieldwork for high school, undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students.

A young client receiving equine-assisted services at TGEC

Research is the foundation of the TGEC.  Commencing in 2015, TGEC faculty and students performed a Systematic Mapping Review of the EAS industry to determine the state of knowledge based on scientific research studies and results.  Since that time, the TGEC’s research efforts have included three ongoing programs of research:   1) Continued Mapping Reviews of the literature on EAS, 2) Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and 3) Adaptive Riding for older adults with dementia. 

Additionally, the TGEC has identified six emerging initiatives in which TGEC researchers have engaged with a diverse collective of practitioners and researchers in Colorado and nationally: 1) Practice and Safety Patters of OT, PT, and SLP Incorporating Equine Movement, 2) Therapeutic Riding for Youth with Autism, 3) Optimal Terminology for Services that Incorporate Horses to Benefit People, 4) Psychotherapy Incorporating Horses for Transition-aged Students, 5) Measuring Participant Outcomes of Community-based Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding, and 6) Effects of Equine-assisted Social-emotional Learning on Human and Equine Wellbeing.

Temple Grandin Equine Center offers equine-assisted services to benefit people.

The TGEC is proud to boast an elite leadership team of industry experts.  Dr. Sharon Butler, DVM, CTRI and Associate Professor is the Program Coordinator of the TGEC center in Fort Collins.  Debbie Mogor, PTA, CTRI, and Registered Therapist is the Program Coordinator of the TGEC center at CSU Spur.  Dr. Caiti Peters, PhD, OTR/L and Assistant Professor is the Director of Research. 

For more information about the TGEC research, education, or programming, any one of these individuals can be contacted, as well as the Director of the TGEC and the Associate Director of Equine Sciences, Adam Daurio, Esq.

The TGEC was recently featured by the City of Denver in their Elevating Denver campaign, which showcases people and programs making positive impact in Denver.

Launching the TGEC program at the CSU Spur campus was also featured as a premiere University program through STATE, The Magazine of Colorado State University System, and that story can be read here https://magazine.csusystem.edu/2022/01/03/a-gift-horse/.

Visiting the TGEC facility in Fort Collins is by appointment only and can be scheduled by calling (970) 491-1651.  Visiting hours at the TGEC facility at CSU Spur are between 10am and 5pm Monday through Friday and the second Saturday of every month.

This video explores the unique role of the horse with providing comprehensive therapy to help individuals heal from physical, emotional, and developmental challenges.

Temple Grandin at the Exceptional Rodeo. Each year the Temple Grandin Equine Center at CSU Spur hosts the PRCA Pro Rodeo's Exceptional Rodeo — an adaptive, accessible rodeo for children of all abilities.

Temple Grandin Equine Center Website

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EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Adam Daurio, Director of Administration and Outreach at Colorado State University, for writing an excellent article and sharing photographs. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Temple Grandin for her outstanding contributions to the humane treatment of livestock and autism.

All images Copyright Temple Grandin Equine Center and Colorado State University -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Temple Grandin Equine Center or Colorado State University.

#templegrandinequinecenter #csuspur #coloradostateuniversity #templegrandin #equine-assistedservices #therapeuticriding #adaptivehorsemanship #autism #vetranequineprograms #therapyhorses #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine