Horses for Hero's
Trail Rides For Veterans
Our Goal is to provide riding opportunities for disadvantaged and underserved children of our community. We strive to provide the joy of a horse these veterans who have given so dearly.
While some of us have had the chance to experience the joy and serenity that
comes from riding a horse, many will never have that opportunity unless we
provide it for them. For the past eight years, CHAPS and the MPF have been
creating programs and raising money to provide rides and equestrian
experiences for veterans and disadvantaged children.
For the past 8 years, the rides have been provided at Wunderlich County Park, which is graced with the last public horse facility in San Mateo County. In order to enhance and expand the program, we have relocated to Jasper Ridge Farm on Webb Ranch in Portola Valley. Jasper Ridge has a covered arena which allows riding on rainy days and hot sunny days. Additional horses and wranglers are also available from Webb Ranch to allow more kids to ride.
Over the years, CHAPS and the MPF have raised funds for rides from very
generous grants provided by
WHOA! (Woodside Horse Owners
Association). Other supporters include members of the community, the Woodside Community Foundation, Nordstrom's
and Google. More than 1034 rides and
equestrian experiences for veterans and children have been provided.
Veterans and children have the opportunity to interact with horses in ways
that feel most comfortable. For most this involves riding, sometimes in an
arena, and sometimes on a trail. For others, this might be interaction that
involves grooming, learning how to lead, saddle, care and relate to horses.
The joy and happiness on faces of these veterans and kids brings tears to
our eyes.
The best thing for the inside of a person is the outside of a horse. CHAPS
invites the community to partner with them in programs that facilitate the
healing that comes through interacting with horses. Together we can make
children's dreams come true and recognize our veterans for their sacrifice.
Veterans Riding Program - Horses for Hero's
Horses for Hero's provide free trail rides and lessons for veterans referred from the Veterans Administration Recreational Therapy Program. Through the efforts of CHAPS, veterans who have been referred from local VA hospitals have had many wonderful experiences on the backs of horses. Right now, we are working veterans from the Palo Alto VA - Recreational Therapy Program. We would like to open this to more veterans, but funding limits this. The program began in 2012 and in the years since, 541 rides have been provided, Below are several of their stories:
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Horses for Heroes for Veterans - A Tale of Two Vets
This picture below shows two veterans and the therapist riding on the
Alambique Trail 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 thru. She asked if she can she just brush the horse, and quietly
did this for a long while. Slowly stroking and touching the horse. Mandy
(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.
The gentlemen in the back recently retired after 20 years in the Army, and
multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He grew up on a farm in Alabama, and
had not seen a horse since his youth. Sitting in the saddle reminded him of
his happy childhood with peace and joy, far away from the guns and the
bombs.
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
Mandy in the arena with 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.
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