Horses have been part of my heart for as long as I can remember. I grew up around them because my parents loved horses, and when I was five years old I got my first pony – an Appaloosa with no spots named Oops! That little pony started a lifelong love affair with these incredible animals. I spent my early years riding dressage, cross country, and stadium jumping, but over time I’ve come to appreciate something even more meaningful: quiet moments on the trail and simply being in the presence of horses.
Horses have an extraordinary ability to heal, connect, and teach us things about ourselves that words often cannot. After taking a 20-year break from horses, I found my way back and that journey led me to Horse Sense Education and Advocacy. Meeting the Horse Sense team reignited something deep inside me: my passion for horses, for animals, and for the powerful bond between humans and equines.
Today, I’m honored to serve on the board of Horse Sense Education and Advocacy, a verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building life-changing partnerships between horses and people. Our programs offer free, donation-based equine-assisted learning opportunities for communities that need them most working with organizations like CASA, Veteran Family Outreach, Big Brothers Big Sisters, children with disabilities, and others seeking healing, confidence, and connection.
At Horse Sense, our mission is simple: rehabilitate horses to help people. Horses that have experienced hardship often become our greatest teachers. In the quiet space beside them, people struggling with anxiety, self-confidence, communication, or connection often discover something powerful: trust, calm, and the courage to move forward.
One horse in particular reminds me why this work matters so much. She came to us after years of hard riding, poor saddle fit, and inadequate hoof and dental care. Physically and emotionally, she was exhausted and broken. But she deserved more. She deserved patience, kindness, and the chance to heal.
Over the past five years, we have slowly and lovingly helped her recover, restoring both her body and her spirit. Watching her transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. And in the process, she has helped humans heal too.
During Horses for Mental Health Month, I’m raising funds to support Horse Sense Education and Advocacy so we can continue rescuing horses, restoring their well-being, and creating life-changing connections between horses and people.
Because when we help horses heal, they help us heal right back.
If you feel inspired, I hope you’ll consider supporting this work. Every contribution helps us give both horses and humans the second chances they deserve. 🐎💛
