Here is an article about Horses4Heroes from our friends at About.Com/ Military Families. I recently became a program member of this organization and have found the other members to be extremely friendly and helpful. Please attend our open house on April 28th to find out how you can participate in this great program! CRK Training Stable does not provide all the programs listed. Yet! We are offering riding programs for students 6 years and up, summer camp and wonderful adult programs as well. Check us out!
Horses4Heroes, a non-profit organization that caters to the entire military family (not to be confused with the equine therapeutic riding program for wounded warriors that’s provided through PATH Intl) was founded in 2006 when 16-year-old Allison Knott took her passion for horses and combined it with a desire to show thanks and appreciation to the individuals who keep us safe and for all the sacrifices they make on behalf of others.
So what exactly is Horses4Heroes?
“Horses4Heroes is able-bodied, affordable horseback riding for returning combat veterans and the entire family, which also needs healing and therapeutic interactions with horses,” said Sydney Knott, President/Executive Director of Horses4Heroes, Inc.
Several Programs to Choose From Horses4Heroes provides recreational, educational and health and wellness programs for adults and kids ages 2 and up. Below is brief overview of each of the programs:
Stay Strong StayStrong is one of the health and wellness programs offered by Horses4Heroes. Within the StayStrong program, members can choose from “Back in the Saddle,” which is meant for adult men and women or “StayStrong for Families and Individuals.”
Recently they’ve added another StayStrong program for kids ages 8-10 that’s aptly titled, 8*9*10: Ride to Win! Through this program, kids learn essential life and leadership skills. “It is an important program for our communities right now and is designed to create fewer targets for playground and cyberspace bullies,” said Sydney Knott.
Through sponsorship dollars and donations, all of the StayStrong programs are provided free of charge. Get further details about the StayStrong program.
HorsePlay! Horses4Heroes describes HorsePlay! as a mommy-and-me style program for kids ages 2-6. Through this program, which meets twice a week for three-hour sessions, young children receive age-appropriate riding lessons. They’re also taught about horse and animal care, safety and the responsibilities that accompany owning a horse. The program also features arts and crafts, snack time and a host of other fun activities. Get further details about the HorsePlay! program.
Horse 101 This particular program provides Western, English and Dressage lessons to beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. Through Horse101, members receive a deep discount off regularly priced lessons. Besides lessons, this program also offers camps, clinics and the opportunity to participate in horse shows. Furthermore, Horse 101 is open to individuals or the entire family, which is wonderful for families seeking an activity that they can all do together. Get further details about the Horse101 program.
Operation Free Ride Horses4Heroes offers a temporary respite from the daily challenges that military families of deployed servicemembers face—and they accomplish this by offering free superivsed weekly riding sessions in a guided and controlled setting. A Horses4Heroes membership is not required to partake in Operation Free Ride. Additionally, this program is also available to anyone who has a family member that’s disabled or seriously ill. Get further details about Operation Free Ride
Membership “Membership for Heroes who want access to affordable, deeply discounted horseback riding programs and activities can join for a one-time fee of just $25 per family. Families who need the health & wellness programs and are not looking for our other services, may participate free of charge,” Knott said.
To learn more about becoming a member and to download the application, please visit the Horses4Heroes Membership Benefits page on their Web site.
Finding a Horses4Heroes Facility As Horses4Heroes continues to grow in popularity, so does the list of facilities that offer the programs. To find a Horses4Heroes facility in your area you may view a state-by-state listing here or you may also go to the locations’ page on the Horses4Heroes Web site. If you can’t find a facility listed in your area, please e-mail Sydney Knott at horses4heroes@gmail.com and she’ll do her best to try and locate one that’s in your vicinity.
Serving More Than Military Families Besides serving military personnel and their families, Horses4Heroes also serves law enforcement officers, firefighters, First Responders, critical care and hospice nurses, special needs school teachers, families that are suffering with serious chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, and individuals who have physically dangerous and/or emotionally demanding jobs.
Videos & Interview There are several informative videos on the Horses4Heroes Web site that provide an excellent visual aid regarding all the benefits that Horses4Heroes provides. Additionally, Family of a Vet interviewed Sydney Knott on Blog Talk Radio. You may listen to this wonderfully insightful interview here.