The EQUUS Foundation was born from the belief that the bond between horses and humans is very powerful and the realization that the impact of horses multiplies ten-fold for those with special needs.
The impact of a horse on a person in need
Engaging with horses helps people learn the meaning of trust and the value of partnership. Horses encourage people to live life as productively and independently as possible.
Riding makes me feel free . . .
Horses help people walk, talk, connect, focus, behave, and learn. Engaging with horses helps people learn the meaning of trust and the value of partnership. Horses encourage people to live life as productively and independently as possible.
Raising the bar for the care and use of horses . . .
The EQUUS Foundation not only comes to the rescue of horses in need and makes equine therapy available to more people, it also ensures that the equine charities providing these services are operating at the highest standards for the care and use of horses.
The Horse Whisperers is the Foundation's named grant program. Horse Whisperer grants may be named by the donors in honor of their loved ones, family members, friends or equine companions. Learn more about the Horse Whisperers here.
The EQUUS Foundation is proud to announce that the following organizations were designated as Horse Whisperer grant recipients in 2015:
Michele E. Arnhold Memorial Horse Whisperer Grants - Established in 2008 by the family of Michele E. Arnhold in memory of her pursuit of excellence and her commitment and contribution to the equestrian sport.
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding - Old Lyme, Connecticut-High Hopes is regularly sought out for its range of high-quality equine-assisted activities and therapies. However, High Hopes is limited in what it can provide at its central facility. This grant will help fund a new outreach program to increase its capacity to serve the individual with special needs.
New Canaan Mounted Troop - New Canaan, Connecticut - Since its founding in 1939, New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT) has been building leadership, responsibility and confidence in youth through sound horsemanship. This grant supports the NCMT Super Troopers program, established in September 2012, to provide therapeutic horsemanship to individuals from the local community with special physical, emotional and cognitive needs from varying socio-economic backgrounds.
Daniel D. Barkan Memorial Horse Whisperer Grants - Established in 2013 by the family of Daniel D. Barkan, a quiet philanthropist and gentleman, in memory of his life-long love of horses.
Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC) - Longmont, Colorado - The Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center (CTRC), the oldest and largest therapeutic riding center in Colorado, and one of the largest in the nation, has been serving children and adults with disabilities since 1980. However, what sets CTRC apart is that it is also accredited as a sanctuary and is committed to providing the highest quality of care for its therapy horses during and after they can no longer provide service. This grant helps fund their Retired Horse Sanctuary.
CANTER (Michigan) - Commerce Township, Michigan - CANTER Michigan in Commerce Township, Michigan, transitions non-competitive or injured thoroughbreds off racetracks by taking horses into CANTER-approved facilities. Some are retired from racing due to an injury, some are simply not fast enough to earn their way in this highly competitive sport. This grant helps fund their rehabilitation, re-training, and re-homing into CANTER-approved non-racing homes.
Richard L. Parish, Jr., Memorial Horse Whisperer Grants - Established in 2014 by the family of Richard L. Parish in recognition of his leadership and dedication for over 45 years to the causes supported by the Richard Laurence Parish Foundation.
Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding (CATR) - Johns Island, South Carolina - Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding (CATR) provides therapeutic horseback riding opportunities through three different programs: Individual Therapeutic Riding Instruction, Public School Outreach Program, and Veterans Program. This grant helps fund the CATR Public School program which provides therapeutic riding, horse care, grooming and other fine motor activities to four to six self-contained special education classrooms for twelve weeks every school year.
Green Chimneys Children's Services - Brewster, New York - Founded in 1947 by Dr. Samuel B. "Rollo" Ross, Jr., and headquartered on a farm and wildlife center in Brewster, New York, Green Chimneys Children's Services is recognized as an innovator in animal-assisted therapy and nature-based education, therapy and recreation. The Equine Education program is comprised of equine-facilitated learning, therapeutic riding, vocational training in the barn, equine sport, a small driving program, vaulting, and equine massage. This grant will help maintain the level of horse care that exemplifies the environment of caring and nurturing that makes Green Chimneys so unique.
Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement - Salem, Connecticut - Mitchell Farm Equine Retirement based in Salem, Connecticut and accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), provides a safe and comfortable retirement alternative for aged and infirm horses to live out their lives. The statement, "we are what we eat," is true for both people and horses. This grant will help maintain optimal nutrition for their retired equines with specialized, high quality feed and a feed program individualized to each horse's needs.
Buckeye Horse Whisperer Grant - Established by Susan & Rick Weber in honor of their beloved horse Buckeye.
Giving Alternative Learners Uplifting Opportunities, Inc. (GALLOPNYC) - Brooklyn, New York - Gallop NYC's mission is to improve the lives of children and adults in New York City facing developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges through the proven benefits of therapeutic horsemanship. This grant will be used to provide scholarships to low-income children with disabilities, offering the rare opportunity to expose the New York urban community to positive and profoundly effective interactions with horses.
The EQUUS Foundation awarded over $250,000 in grants and scholarships in 2015 to ensure the well-being of horses, improve the quality of life of people through equine-assisted activities and therapies, and foster the horse-human bond. You can learn more about this year's grant recipients as well as the recipients of the EQUUS Foundation Champion of Equine Service Scholarships sponsored by Ariat International here.