Stories That Change Lives
Award-winning videos highlighting how horses are transforming mental health.
Produced by Horses for Mental Health for the HMH Campaign, and brought to you by
Produced by Horses for Mental Health, these award-winning videos share powerful stories of how mental health services incorporating horses are making a real difference.
Through documentary and animated storytelling—made possible with the support of Zoetis—these films elevate lived experiences, highlight partner programs, and illuminate the impact of horses on healing, connection, and hope.
Featured Stories
Addressing critical mental health topics and the ways horses are making a difference.
Healing the Healers: The Power of Horses and Veterinarian Mental Health
Veterinarians dedicate their lives to caring for the animals we love — but too often, they carry heavy mental health burdens in silence. In honor of our veterinarians, this video shares the powerful, real stories of veterinarians finding hope, healing, and connection through the help of horses.
Supporting Mental Health in Rural Communities
In rural America, individuals seeking mental health support often face barriers due to lack of access to quality resources. Often overshadowed by stigma, finding mental health help can be difficult, leaving individuals feeling unheard and alone. Yet amidst these challenges, hope emerges through partnerships with horses.
Special thanks to Gateway Family Services and Rural Minds.
The Power of Horses: Advocating for First Responders
First responders face daily challenges and overwhelming stress, resulting in higher rates of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Despite this, they courageously serve as our first line of defense against emergencies, fires, and life-threatening situations. Watch how a program in Minnesota, Abijah’s, is impacting the well-being of first responders through mental health services incorporating horses, and garnering support from state legislators to expand access.
The Power of Horses: Breaking Barriers
Watch the story of the incredible impact that a small nonprofit organization is having on the community of Oakland, California. “We Ride Too” is committed to serving a wide range of young people in the Oakland area who face various challenges and traumas with limited access to resources. Through programs for youth to connect with nature and horses, each child has a place where they are told they “can,” instead of “can’t,” breaking barriers and making a difference in their mental health and future.
Riley Smith: Transformation Through A Horse
In his youth, Riley was diagnosed with a rare medical condition, Guillain-Barre syndrome that affects the body’s nerves, and caused temporary loss of his motor skills. His mother, Roxanne, understood the power of horses and how they could help Riley overcome his emotional and physical challenges. Riley went on to win the American Quarter Horse World Youth Championship. Watch his incredible story here.
The Power of Horses feat. Jaycee Dugard
Jaycee Dugard is truly an embodiment of strength and resilience. At just 11 years old, Jaycee was abducted while walking to the school bus and held captive for 18 years. After her rescue, Jaycee and her family found healing and connection through incorporating horses into mental health and trauma services.
Transformational Case Stories
Animated 3-minute stories inspired by real client experiences.
Finding Hope Again: A Veteran's Story
“Finding Hope Again: A Veteran’s Story,” shares the quiet journey of one veteran navigating life after service. Haunted by trauma and disconnected from the world around him, his path to healing begins with something unexpected: three horses and his team of facilitators. Through powerful programs provided by our Program Partners, veterans across the country are finding peace, purpose, and connection again—one session at a time.
Moving Through Grief
After the loss of her husband, one woman’s journey through grief is quietly and powerfully transformed through the presence of a horse. “Moving Through Grief” honors the small, significant moments of connection that help people find their way forward.
Uncovering Secrets
For years, Kathy sought healing from an emotionally destructive relationship. Through working with horses in a mental health therapy program, she was finally able to uncover and confront the root cause of her suffering. Kathy’s interactions with horses served as a catalyst for her to find healing within herself. Watch this video to see how horses helped Kathy uncover a 30-year secret.
Finding Home: An Immigrant's Story
When a young girl and her family were forced to flee from her home country and immigrate to the U.S., she began to grapple with feelings of displacement and trauma. But hope emerged when she discovered a therapy program with horses, leading her to find connection, safety, and a lasting sense of “home.”
Finding Her Voice: Domestic Violence
Watch the empowering story of Noelle, a victim of domestic violence, and her journey towards emotional healing through a mental health program incorporating horses. Initially fearful and withdrawn, Noelle builds relationships with the horses in a way that makes her feel safe and helps her process her emotions. With the help of the horses and facilitators, Noelle discovers her empowered voice, sets healthy boundaries, and supports others who have survived domestic violence to do the same.
Finding Fulfillment: Burnout
While successful in her corporate career, Adina was struggling with feeling burned out, losing her spark and increasingly unmotivated. Deciding to get help, she attends a personal growth workshop incorporating horses to address her burnout. Watch how the horses play a pivotal role in her self-discovery and transformation. Through a series of experiences with horses, Adina learns to focus on the present and develops a new sense of joy, connection, and meaningful purpose.
Breathe: A Veteran's Story
Horses can teach us ways to heal and grow in countless ways. Their non-judgemental disposition can teach us valuable lessons and new ways of healing. Horses can bring a transformational element to people living with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Follow the story of Jared, a veteran searching for peace within himself, through the help of one special horse.
A Broken Down Man: A Story of Addiction
Follow Scott on his journey of growth and reformation from a ‘broken man’ from substance abuse to one who has finally found his peace. Watch this animated video about the beautiful story of a man’s healing journey through a horse named Chief.
A Mother's Grief: Losing a Child
Watch the transformative journey of a mother whose experiences through mental health sessions incorporating horses have helped her on her healing journey through unimaginable loss and grief.
Self-Love
Horses don’t judge and they accept us as we are. Horses offer a safe, intuitive, and peaceful setting for deep healing to take place, as they help us bring parts of ourselves to light. Follow Kendall’s journey through self-love and self-acceptance with the help of mental health professionals and a special horse named Magic.
