BraveHearts Brings Adopted Mustangs And Veterans Together
Horse and Rider|December 2017

On a back road in Illinois, just south of the Wisconsin border and hidden among fields of corn and soy, sits a horse farm.

Sarah Kinzbach Williams
BraveHearts Brings Adopted Mustangs And Veterans Together

At first glance, the barns, arenas, pastures and buildings resemble those of any other horse facility. Look closer, though, and you’ll notice wheelchair ramps, accessibility features and lifts, as well as horses with unmistakable neck brands.

The farm is more than an average horse facility—it’s BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, PATH-accredited center specializing in assisting military veterans and their families.

The program offers everything from physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology to therapeutic riding and independent horsemanship.

It’s also home to a unique herd of rescued mustangs.

Rising to a Wild Challenge

In 2013, BraveHearts launched Operation Mustang®. The program pairs adopted mustangs from the Bureau of Land Management with military veterans.

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