HEALING HEROES THROUGH HORSEMANSHIP INCORPORATED

Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit empowering Veterans and First Responders on California’s central coast through equine-assisted programs and vocational horsemanship training, while actively supporting the retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses.

Why We Exist
31% of America’s homeless Veteran population resides in California. Over 70% of those are currently unsheltered. Our Elite Vocations program works to combat this issue – equipping at-risk Veterans in our communities with employable skills in the equine industry (a large employer in California that often supplies housing to its workers). The program also enhances mental health and resilience, reducing future risks of homelessness, suicide, and other challenges facing America’s Veterans.

Suicide rates are not only exceptionally high among Veterans (1.5 to 2 x the national average), more First Responders die by suicide than in the line of duty! Behavioral wellness programs in our tri-county area (Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura) work tirelessly to support the mental health, emotional resilience and overall well-being of our Fire Service Personnel and Law Enforcement Officers. Our Healing Heroes two-day equine-assisted behavioral wellness programs support this initiative, helping increase resilience and self-efficacy to reduce the rates of suicide, PTSD and other challenges facing our First Responders.

New Horizons, our Transition Horse Program, is a proud ASPCA Right Horse Industry Partner committed to making a difference in the lives of retired racehorses (aka off-the-track Thoroughbreds or OTTBs) and other horses in transition. At New Horizons, we are dedicated to their retraining and re-homing, offering these remarkable horses a second chance at a fulfilling life.