Singer, Songwriter
So honored to be involved with @horsesformentalhealth and support their mission to provide horse therapy and accessibility of resources globally – truly one of the easiest (& most eager) yeses ! I was seven when my struggles with mental health began but discovered even at a time when many people didn’t, horses always offered companionship 🤎 – Gabi Sklar
World’s Most Famous Cartoon Horse Illustrated By Jean Abernethy
Fergus the Horse, the world’s most popular cartoon horse, has braided up in support of HORSETOBER #PassTheBraid campaign!
We are delighted to debut this new “Fergus In Braids!” cartoon created exclusively for HMH by Jean Abernethy, the award-winning illustrator, author, equestrian and creator of equine character, Fergus the Horse.
“Fergus thinks this braid campaign is awesome, and he has passed the braid to the little girl who accompanied him in the little book “Fergus Learns S’Mores code,” says Jean, who also shared a classic Fergus cartoon from 2015 when Fergus sported multiple braids in his marvelous mane!
Nordic Folk Pop Artist & Miss Universe Sweden 2026
It’s an amazing time. Not only am I honored to have been named Miss Universe Sweden 2026, I’m also excited to be a new ambassador for Horses For Mental Health.
While filming my first short film in Sweden, part of a larger Nordic storytelling universe I’m creating, I had the most extraordinary experience connecting with a horse named Royson, a beautiful Gypsy Cob who played a character in the story.
We both wore braids in the film, a small but meaningful symbol of connection. In the world I’m creating, one of the central themes is our relationship with ourselves, with one another, and with the land. Losing that connection to our roots can leave us feeling lost.
My experience with Royson brought that philosophy to life. He did such a wonderful job, and I truly felt I was acting alongside another individual, with his own personality and presence. I believe in a world where animals are treated with dignity, where we recognize our place within nature rather than above it, and where humans, animals, and our communities can live in greater harmony.
The film wouldn’t be the same without him, and the bond we formed was something I’ll always treasure. -Josie Strand
Actor, Equestrian, Former AQHA World Youth Champion & His Horse Loving Daughter
Howdy! You know I grew up on a quarterhorse ranch in Iowa loving horses and I’m so fortunate that I have a daughter who loves horses just as much as I do! And, she also loves wearing braids in her hair which is why I’ve accepted the Pass The Braid challenge. So today, I am challenging all my fellow horse loving friends, and actor and musician friends to pass the braid!
And I’m also challenging my friend, tv host, author, gold medalist and my fellow Horses For Mental Health ambassador Victoria Arlen to pass the braid. So Victoria, you’re up! – Riley Smith
TV Host, Gold Medalist, Author “The View Is Worth It”
Thanks Riley and Shiloh for challenging me to #PassTheBraid!
I am so excited to be passing the braid for this new Horses For Mental Health campaign. Growing up my aunt had an incredible horse and I always was blown away by the composure and just the spiritual connection to horses and how strong they are, and the reminder of the love they give to us, as a reminder to give that love to ourselves …..and the people around us.
Today I’m challenging my friends, and the horses I met recently at HMH program partner Granite State Adaptive in New Hampshire to pass the braid, and to all the horse loving athletes in the world.
– Victoria Arlen
Country Soul Artist
“Dally and I are honored to be new ambassadors for Horses For Mental Health. I have always been so lucky to grow up with horses. When I was young, my grandpa got me my first horse, and I can truly say that horses have saved my life in more ways than I can count. Through being bullied, the loss of family members, and the mental overload and stress of my career, horses have healed me, grounded me, and made me feel understood. Specifically, my buckskin QH, Dally, has been in my life for 16 years and has carried my grandpa’s gentle spirit with him and through me every single day. I am so lucky to have my heart horse and the opportunity to advocate for mental health through my love and passion for horses!”
– Shantaia
Recording Artist, Documentary Director & Her Music Loving Horse
Yupia and I are rockin’ braids for Horses For Mental Health’s new #PassTheBraid campaign, to play some music and talk about how we can bring horses and people together in a healing way.
Whenever I have a hard day and end up seeing Yupia, any stresses, they just go away because I’m in the present moment with my horse, and that is what he brings to me. The reminder that the current moment is what matters. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. But right now.
I want to pass this campaign along to my other horse friends who might be sporting braids when they are working with their horses as well. – Mikayla Theone Khramov
Horses For Mental Health hopes you’ll check out @horsesformentalhealth socials for the awesome video Mikayla filmed especially for us, with “Yupia” playing multiple instruments to ROCK HORSETOBER!
Mental Health Advocate, Founder of Green, Gold and Blues
My horse Thelma and I are longtime ambassadors for Horses for Mental Health, so we braided up in Montana to film and host a #PassTheBraid campaign ambassador video.
We challenge all our fellow horse lovers, horse enthusiasts, and country soul singer and my fellow Horses For Mental Health Ambassador Brei Carter in Nashville, Tennessee to pass the braid! – Jodie Morton
Country Soul Singer & US Army Veteran
I love being an ambassador for Horses For Mental Health and am honored to braid up and spend an amazing day riding with my (horse) friend “Onyx” to shine a light on HORSETOBER #PassTheBraid campaign!
I’m challenging all my soul sisters, all my army veterans, and all veterans! You all come along, and pass the braid!”
– Brei Carter
US Army Veteran, Pastry Chef & Owner DeLucia’s Bake Shop
After serving in the army for 23 years I attended a bakery and a pastry arts program and I went to culinary school and pursued my dream of opening a bakery, DeLucia’s Bake Shop with my friend Chelsea. Check out the horse cake inspired by Horses For Mental Health and the #PassTheBraid campaign.
I had actually never been around horses until this campaign when I visited my friend and former colonel’s barn to braid one of her horses. I want to thank Darlene Godfrey Straub for introducing me to your horses, it was an awesome time and they were so comical and calming to be around.
I’m passing the braid and challenging all my fellow veterans and horse loving friends in North Carolina to pass the braid!
– Dena DeLucia
Autistic Artist, Illustrator, Animator
As a longtime Horses For Mental Health ambassador from the UK, I accept the #PassTheBraid challenge and had the pleasure of braiding the mane of my horse friend “Dolly.”
I am passing the braid to all artists and creators like myself, my friends at Christian Williams Racing and everyone in the UK who loves horses.
My day spent braiding “Dolly” has inspired me to create new artwork called “Dolly In Braids.” I’m debuting this artwork on Horses For Mental Health socials to raise awareness for the #PassTheBraid Campaign.
Artwork Created By Autistic Artist, Illustrator, Animator Marcus Mason-Williams
“Dolly In Braids” – Artwork exclusively created for HMH #PassTheBraid campaign by
Marcus Mason-Williams, longtime UK based Horses For Mental Health Ambassador.
Special thanks to “Dolly’s owner” Kirsty Froggatt for sharing “Dolly” with Marcus and our mission to weave together the largest celebration of the horse-human connection ever organized!
Ponygirl with her ponies “Happy Rainbow” & “Gus Gus”
I’m Aella Faye and I love wearing braids and hanging out with my ponies “Happy Rainbow” and “Gus Gus.”
Ponies make the best friends and they make me laugh and give good hugs. I hope you will, “pass the braid, pass the braid, pass the braid!” – Aella Faye
Award Winning Writer & Equine Assisted Leadership Coach
My horse LeRoy, “Bad Bad LeRoy Brown,” and I are excited to accept the #PassTheBraid challenge. This is the perfect campaign for Leroy because he wears braids all year long. I love spending time in my barn in the morning because it helps me get ready for the day and feeds my creativity. After a long day it helps me unwind and destress. And my favorite part is that we bring people into the arena so they can experience the relaxing power of being around horses too through equine assisted coaching.
We’re going to pass the braid to our friends at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, our trainer Jill Hass, and our friends Stacy and Nick Anatriello. – Katie Navarra Bradley
Country Music Artist, Singer, Songwriter
I LOVE horses and I’m so excited to be a new ambassador for Horses For Mental Health. I’ve loved horses for a long time and actually started riding, with the guidance of others, when I was about nine. It had been years since I’d hung out with horses and I was so happy to braid my hair and go sing to horses at Sol Dorado Ranch to raise awareness for #PassTheBraid campaign.
Horses are such cool and intuitive creatures. My new best friend “Bandit” could sense that I couldn’t see him, and he was so gentle and let me hug on him. I can’t wait to go back and visit Bandit!- Sarah Hardwig
(To watch Sarah’s incredible interactions with Bandit, a horse who also lives with vision impairment from equine cataracts and to see Sarah sing Lainey Wilson’s “Heart Like a Truck” to a field full of horses, check out @horsesformentalhealth Youtube and socials for that video)
Country Music Artist, Singer, Songwriter
“My horses, Jack and Einstein, mean so much to me. Time with them is a chance to slow down, take a breath and just be myself. That connection is why I’m excited to support Horses For Mental Health and HORSETOBER™.
If you love horses, join me: spend time with a horse, create a braid, share what that connection means to you and nominate someone to #PassTheBraid. Our stories can help someone else feel a little less alone.” — Allie Colleen
CMD Artist, Producer, Songwriter, Line Dance Curator
What’s up, it’s ELEKTROHORSE and I’m excited to be a new Horses For Mental Health Ambassador during HORESTOBER!
I hit the dance floor with some of my friends to pass the braid, and I’m challenging all my fellow country dance music artists and producers, all my songwriter friends and anyone who loves to line dance to #PassTheBraid! Let’s see your braids and your moves!
College Student, Photographer, Videographer
Hi, I’m a college student and photographer in Iowa and I had a blast braiding horses and taking photos for Horses For Mental Health’s #PassTheBraid campaign.
My favorite thing about “Dolly” is that she is super fun to ride. I’m passing the braid to college students everywhere, horse lovers in my home state of Iowa including my friend Addi!
College student and equestrian
Hi I’m Addi and my horse’s name is Annie. I’m a college student and horse rider in Iowa. My favorite thing to do with Annie is barrel race. Thank you for passing me the braid Lexi.
I’m passing the braid to horse riders everywhere. – Addi
Fergus 2015 cartoon
Fergus has been sporting braids since 2015.
To raise awareness around the world for Horses For Mental Health HORSETOBER #PassTheBraid campaign, he and his creator Jean Abernethy wanted to share this classic cartoon from when Fergus spent a day getting multiple braids weaved into his mane.
What is It?
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Horses intuitively reflect our emotions, supporting insight and healing.
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Guided interactions with horses create experiential emotional regulation and insight.
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