In January 2009, Suzanne Carter felt a turning point in her life. She made a declaration: “This year, I’m either going to get my Ph.D. or a horse!”
Not long after, an email arrived that would change everything. The organization where Suzanne was certified had partnered with the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) to match retired thoroughbreds with therapists for Psychotherapy incorporating horses. Suzanne knew immediately this was her opportunity.
By May, her dream became a reality. Harmony, a retired racehorse whose racing name was CODE 40, joined Suzanne’s life and moved to a 1,000-acre ranch in Evergreen, Colorado.
Harmony had a remarkable history. She was the great-granddaughter of Secretariat, the legendary racehorse who still holds the Kentucky Derby record set in 1973. Secretariat’s large heart made him unbeatable on the track, and Suzanne believed Harmony had inherited not just her lineage but also an incredible capacity for connection.
For the next 10 years, Harmony worked alongside Suzanne as a partner in healing. Clients came to the ranch carrying burdens they couldn’t put into words, and Harmony was there for them. Her calm and steady presence offered something unique—a safe space for clients to feel understood and begin their healing journeys.
Over the years, Harmony became a source of transformation for countless people. She helped them find strength, peace, and hope in ways that words alone couldn’t achieve.
When Harmony passed in 2021, Suzanne felt the loss deeply. But she remains connected to Harmony’s spirit and trusts their story isn’t over.
“I know she’ll come back to me someday,” Suzanne says. “My heart listens to hers, and I trust that connection will bring us together again.”
Harmony’s legacy lives on as a testament to the healing power of horses and the profound bonds we share with them.
Thank you, Suzanne, for sharing Harmony’s beautiful story with us. At Horses for Mental Health, we are honored to celebrate her incredible legacy and the impact she had on so many lives.
This National Horse Day, we celebrate the unique connection between humans and horses, and the extraordinary impact they have on our lives. If Harmony’s story touched your heart, visit our main blog to read more inspiring stories about the healing power of horses and their incredible legacies.
