Programs

“The difference between connecting with horses versus people is that it all depends on your actions rather than your words. They are watching what you do and listening to your tone. If you’re not earning their trust, they’re going to let you know.  It can be very enlightening.”  - Sisco

Equine Assisted Services can be particularly powerful for veterans. It involves building a relationship with a non-judgmental horse in a safe, outdoor environment instead of the confines of an office. It helps with the recovery from trauma without forcing veterans to re-experience traumatic events. Veterans are given the space and confidence to develop deep friendships through working with horses, fostering physical, emotional, and spiritual health, assisting individuals with reintegration into civilian life.

Veterans at Summit Equestrian have reported benefits including increased self-esteem, self-worth, trust for others and community integration and decreased depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder attacks and self-inflicting thoughts.

Over the course of 6 weekly sessions, offered at no cost, veterans will get to know their horses, how to care for them, basic riding skills and how to put those skills and bonds to work. Veterans are also encouraged to return to help other veterans on their journeys.

Veterans do not need experience working with horses to participate. To ride, there is a weight limit of 250 pounds to ensure the safety of our horses.