Heart Horses: The Healing Impact of Healing Horsemanship for Veterans

On Veterans Day, we honor those who have valiantly served their country, paying homage to our United States service members. While we reflect on the sacrifices made for freedom, there exists an ongoing need for Veteran mental health and wellness support; a call that has been answered by BraveHearts, the nation’s leading organization providing healing horsemanship to Veterans.

BraveHearts’ Mission

BraveHearts’ mission is this: to bring hope, joy, and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse. As every horseman knows, the connection between horse and rider is a language of its own, and that has become a major draw towards healing horsemanship for many.

USMC and Army Veteran, Andrew Wiesemann

USMC and Army Veteran, Andrew Wiesemann, has been a part of BraveHearts’ program since 2023, allowing horses to greatly impact his personal healing journey. “I’d never really been around horses before coming to BraveHearts,” Wiesemann explains. “I received a booklet from the VA, and as I was looking through it, I thought, well, there’s horses – let’s give it a chance. Horses have definitely impacted my life tremendously, especially my attitude towards life. Things have gotten a lot better, a lot happier.”

Forming Trust with Your Equine Partner

Whether going through the motions of grooming or deepening their knowledge of horsemanship, Veterans involved at BraveHearts are forming trust with their equine partners that extends far beyond the saddle; in fact, they become confidants of sorts. “When you’re on a horse, you have to focus on them and what’s going on in that moment, nothing else,” Wiesemann elaborates. “Even when you’re not riding, but just being around them or grooming them, it gives your mind a break. The horses can really see your soul – you can tell them all kinds of things, things you might not feel comfortable telling anyone else. You can look at them and say your deepest thoughts and fears, and there’s no judgment. They’re just wide open with you and so loving, caring, and affectionate.”

Bonds Form

As they interact with the therapy horses, bonds form between the Veterans and their barn favorites. “My go-to guy is Moose, I absolutely love him,” Wiesemann laughs. Wiesemann rode Moose on his first Trail to Zero ride, a Veteran suicide prevention horseback ride meant to spark conversation around Veteran mental health. Riding 20 miles through Manhattan, New York, to commemorate the 20 Veterans who statistically die from suicide each day, BraveHearts Veterans take to the saddle to raise awareness and highlight the therapeutic benefits of healing horsemanship for Veterans in need of support.

“I can’t count how many people I’ve served with who have died by suicide, and it’s truly a shame. So, personally, riding with Trail to Zero helps get the word out that Veterans truly do need help. When I rode those 20 miles, it felt like I had the ones that have been lost to suicide with me, and I really hope they were. I hope they saw the good that was coming from raising awareness on horseback.”

– USMC and Army Veteran, Andrew Wiesemann

Memorial Ribbons

Each horse’s mane on Trail to Zero is adorned with memorial ribbons inscribed with a name of a Veteran lost to suicide that was collected from the BraveHearts community. While there are somber reminders of the mental health challenges many Veterans face, the horses represent both hope and healing. “I want people to know the impact a horse can have on someone’s life,” Wiesemann expressed. “I hope Veterans [on the fence] give it a chance. Come up to the farm and just try to be open to the idea of equine therapy.”

Unique Healing through Horsemanship

In addition to his own time in the saddle, Wiesemann actively volunteers with BraveHearts, giving him an opportunity to connect with and encourage other Veterans working towards their own unique healing through horsemanship. “I try to volunteer as much as I can to give back to the Veterans,” Wiesemann remarks. “I want to make sure they’re good, they’re having fun, and staying in the moment with the horses. I’ve really gotten a chance to connect [with them]. I’ve been down some dark paths in my life, and I try to help the Veterans see there’s more to life, especially here.”

BraveHearts

While we honor our Veterans, we also strive for the visibility of those struggling with mental health challenges, knowing horses pose a bright hope for healing. BraveHearts is the largest Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) program in the country, serving Veterans at no cost, offering equine-assisted services to provide emotional, cognitive, social, and physical benefits for Veterans. For more information, please visit braveheartsriding.org.