Horses for Hero's
Trail Rides For Veterans
Request for Donations
Horses for Heroes provides trail rides and lessons for veterans referred by the Palo Alto Veterans Administration Recreational Therapy Program. Over the past years, CHAPS and the MP Foundation have raised funds to provide hundreds of wonderful experiences on the backs of horses.
A Tale of Two Vets at the start of the program.
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This is This picture shows two veterans and their therapist riding in Wunderlich Park. The young lady in the front was a gunner in a helicopter and did two tours in Afghanistan. When she came to the program, her eyes blankly stared at the ground, and she barely spoke. She was not yet 30, but seemed so old and worn out. I have no idea what kind of hell she went through. She asked if she could just brush the horse, and quietly did this for a long while, slowly stroking and touching the horse. The instructor asked if she would like to sit on the horse, and she slowly nodded. When the horse took the first step, she let out a giggle. When we started the trail ride, she was smiling. The therapist said this is the first time she has seen her smile since she came home. |
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The MP Foundation is assuming management of this program from CHAPS now. We would like to open this to more veterans, but are limited by funding. We are hoping to expand the following programs:
1-Lava Lakes The Lava Lake Injured Veterans Equine ("LIVE") Program is a horse camping adventure in Idaho. It offers injured veterans an opportunity to experience the benefits of equine therapy in a wilderness setting.
Look at Lava Lakes - LIVE
To help prepare for this adventure, we plan to provide rides and lessons for the vets to gain experience and get in shape during the spring time. To provide exposure to trail riding, we also hope to include rides on the wilderness trails in Wunderlich Park.
2-Introduction to horses
This program is for veterans who would be interested in learning about horses and having a ride. The first part of the session would be on grooming and saddling, then a ride in the arena, Perhaps a trail ride on the Webb Ranch property.
These programs will be provided by Jasper Ridge Farm, which is located on Webb Ranch, off Alpine Road in Portola Valley. They have access to the lesson horses and experienced wranglers from Webb Ranch, to provide the program. Jasper Ridge has a covered arena, which allows riding on rainy days and hot sunny days. We hope to provide 100 or more rides in 2025.
For the last several years, veterans who enjoyed the program have been referred by the Recreational Therapy Program at the Palo Alto VA. A therapist may attend the session to provide assistance as necessary. We would like to expand the program to more veterans by working with the San Mateo County Veterans Service Commission and the VA Vet Center in Menlo Park, for referrals to the Introduction to Horses program. This expansion depends on funding.
"The best thing for the inside of a person is the outside of a horse." We invite the community to partner with us in programs that facilitate the healing that comes through interacting with horses. Together we can recognize our veterans for their sacrifice
The Mounted Patrol Foundation is asking for donations from the local equestrian groups and individuals to fund these veterans programs. Any contributions received in excess of this years needs will be retained and used for more veterans trail rides later.
Please send contributions payable to:
Mounted Patrol Foundation
ATTN: Veterans Riding Program
521 Kings Mountain Road
Woodside, CA 94062-4209
OR click to donate via PayPal or credit card by clicking below.
The Mounted Patrol Foundation is a 501(c) (3) charitable entity, so donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Mounted Patrol Foundation Taxpayer ID is 75-2991593. Contributions made this year by December 31 may be deductible for tax purposes in 2024.
Together we can give back to veterans as thanks for their service.
Lava Lake Injured Veterans Equine ("LIVE")
The Lava Lake Injured Veterans Equine ("LIVE") Program provides injured veterans the opportunity to use and progress the skills learned "back home" - but in a near-wilderness environment.
The goals of the riding program are:
1. Increase physical activity: Horseback riding and horsemanship activities require movement, balance, coordination, and core strength.
2. Improve mental well-being: Overcoming fears and challenges and learning new skills improve self-confidence and self-esteem. Being active in the outdoor environment promotes improved mental well-being.
3. Improve social well-being: Participating in a group of their peers who understand what they've been through, supporting, motivating, and encouraging each other improves social well-being. Bonding with a horse, trust is established. Relationships are developed.
Since 2012 the LIVE Program has offered injured veterans a rare opportunity to experience the benefits of equine therapy in a wilderness setting. Accompanied by their Veterans Administration therapists, veterans travel to Lava Lake Ranch where they ride horses and camp on a working ranch and in the backcountry for six days. In the past five years the program has served women and men living with traumatic brain injury, PTSD, military sexual trauma and other physical and psychological challenges. Past participants have served the United States in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf, and Vietnam.
The LIVE program was developed in consultation with recreational therapists from the Veterans Administration offices in Palo Alto, California and Boise, Idaho. Participants must complete an equine therapy program to acquire basic horsemanship skills prior to coming to the Ranch. Please look at their website for more information.
Link to Lava Lakes - LIVE
Joey - Operation Iraqi Freedom
Here is a letter from Joey, and a picture of him with his new found buddy Calvin.
Another vet from Operation Iraqi Freedom
A vet on his first ride, just learning how to steer. After just an hour, his confidence and ability were much better, and he was riding on the trail.
=================== HISTORY of the Veterans Riding Program =====================
The Horses for Heroes program was initiated in 2012 by CHAPS (Community Horse Advocacy Program for San Mateo County) and the Mounted Patrol Foundation. In the subsequent years, 541 rides were provided for vets. Veterans have had the opportunity to interact with horses in ways that feel most comfortable. For most this involved riding, sometimes in an arena, and sometimes on a trail. For others, this might be an interaction that involves grooming, learning how to lead, saddle, care and relate to horses. The joy and happiness on faces of these veterans brings tears to our eyes.
For the first 8 years, the rides were provided at Wunderlich County Park. The program was relocated to Jasper Ridge Farm some years ago, in order to enhance and expand the program. More horses and wranglers are available from Webb Ranch to allow more vets to ride. The Mounted Patrol Foundation is assuming management of the Veterans Riding program. It has been a pleasure working with the team from CHAPS.
Over the years, CHAPS and the MPF have raised funds for rides from very generous gifts and grants.
We want to recognize the generous donors who have supported the program over the years.
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