The Right Step Inc Celebrates New Barn Opening for Therapeutic Riding Programs

A volunteer providing a therapeutic riding lesson for a young girl with a disability.

First Steps for The Right Step, Inc.

EquuStyle: To start at the beginning, what was the initial spark or "why" that led to the founding of The Right Step?

Christine: The Right Step, Inc. was founded at a family-owned hunter/jumper lesson barn. They had a barn full of school horses who didn’t necessarily need to jump anymore, but needed a job. They also had a client riding with them who was on the Autism Spectrum, so it was a natural fit.

EquuStyle: How has the organization’s mission evolved from those early days to where you are today?

Christine:  In the early days, it was mostly about just getting kids and adults with disabilities on horses and watching the magic happen. Today we are much more professional and focused. We also recognize the benefits of working with the horses on the ground. It isn’t all about riding. It’s also the connection that is built between horse and human.

EquuStyle: Looking back at the previous location, what are some of the most impactful milestones or success stories that defined that chapter of your history?

Christine:  We were able to hire more staff and even hired our first paid Executive Director! We celebrated our 15th anniversary and then went on to have two increasingly successful galas. And all this happened even though Covid shutdowns happened less than six months after we had moved into that location. We shut down completely for 3 months, with a small group of us being responsible for the horse care. We reopened cautiously to very appreciative clients who were not doing well with doing everything virtually. And then we grew until we couldn’t grow anymore.

The Transition & New Location

Six of the horses arrive at their new home

EquuStyle: A move of this scale is a massive undertaking. What were the primary drivers behind choosing this specific new location for the horses and your programs?

Christine:  Sisters Erica Gandomcar-Sachs and Tara Hieb of Of Horse You Can have an amazing vision for building an equestrian community on the grounds of the Denver Polo Club. The barn we are leasing is the second they have planned in a series of five in a “village” for programs of all disciplines to lease. The barn next door to us is a hunter/jumper program, and we have already benefited from their advice and assistance. In return, we are helping them by leasing a few stalls to them for their overflow sale horses while we still have room in the barn. It truly takes a village! 

"Dot" checks out her friends as they enter their new stalls

Choosing this location came about because one of our instructors, Sarah Nadler, is also a polo player. She knew of the planned community and provided the introductions. The location is ideal because it is only 20 minutes away from our previous location, so we were able to retain most of our clients and volunteers. We were also not financially able to buy our own property. Leasing a brand new barn that we can somewhat tailor to our needs is amazing!

The new space includes a dedicated 20-stall barn, indoor and outdoor arenas, and turnout pens, allowing us to expand our adaptive riding and horsemanship programs, improve accessibility, and serve more clients from our 280+ person waitlist.

This move represents a transformational step forward for our mission, our horses, and the communities we serve. I am thrilled to move into our own space, where we'll have the opportunity to move people off our waitlist and allow them to experience the immeasurable power

of horses!

EquuStyle:  How does the new environment specifically enhance the healing experience for both your clients and the horses?

Christine:  The most important thing is that we don’t have to share the space! We came from a busy lesson barn where there was always something going on. We can create a more calm and private space for our clients when needed. It can be even more of an oasis from the outside world where everyone can just breathe and be in the moment. Logistically, our schedule has opened up. Clients are better able to find lesson times that fit their needs. We’re also adding more lessons and bringing in more clients.

Our horses also benefit. They have all-day turnout and bigger turnout pens that allow them to be in social groups. We also have access to trails on the property so we can get them out of the arena, which can be really good for their brains.

EquuStyle: You recently mentioned that there is "light at the end of the tunnel" regarding the move. What has been the most rewarding part of seeing the staff and horses settle into this new space?

Christine:  I love seeing the look of “wow” whenever anyone steps into our new space for the first time. It has been a lot of work and a lot of long hours, but we have a great community who has come together to make it happen. The true reward will be when lessons start up again on June 7th, and we see the immeasurable power of our horses to improve lives again every day. We’ve missed the clients!

Looking Forward

EquuStyle: Once you are established in the new location, what are your primary goals for the remainder of 2026?

Christine:  The rest of this year will still be a time of settling in. There will be a lot of evaluation of what works and what doesn’t in this new space. It will take a while to figure out the flow. We will increase our lesson numbers, but slowly. We want to take the time to do everything right.

We will also be working hard to continue our fundraising efforts so we can make further improvements to the barn and obtain all the equipment needed. A big part of it is everything needed to keep the barn comfortable in all weather-fans in the summer and insulation and heating in the winter.

EquuStyle:  Are there any new programs or community collaborations that this new location makes possible?

Christine:  We will be expanding our “Connections” program, which is a curriculum-based, ground program focused on building relationships with horses while developing personal awareness, emotional balance, and life skills. Participants learn through guided interactions with horses and structured learning activities. We have one full day a week dedicated to having different groups come in for this program.

We are excited to be able to host events at the barn. For example, on June 18, we are hosting a Sunrise Social networking event for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. 

An affectionate moment following an adaptive riding lesson.

Participants of all ages and abilities have an opportunity to develop strength, balance, confidence, and communication while riding or working alongside specially trained horses.

We’re also looking forward to being a part of polo and other events on the property. We will continue to provide volunteers and an information table for the Polo Club’s Sunday Fundays. We also hope that we will be able to have information out at the horse shows on the property. 

EquuStyle:  When you look toward the "long arc of change" for The Right Step, what is your ultimate vision for the impact you hope to have on the community in the years to come?

Christine:  This move is a step toward becoming a more sustainable, successful program that improves the lives of everyone it touches. Our vision is to become a model program in the Equine Assisted Services industry. We would love to have other programs come to us as the standard for how to do things right.

Grand Opening Celebration

The Right Step, Inc. (TRS) is proud to invite the community to celebrate the Grand Opening of its new home at Of Horse You Can! Village on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

This special event will officially welcome clients, families, volunteers, donors, community partners, and supporters to the organization’s new facility while showcasing the life-changing impact of equine-assisted programs throughout the community.

Guests will enjoy an afternoon of fun and connection featuring:

•  Special guest speakers

•  Live entertainment

•  Professional horse photography sessions

•  Fairy hair

•  Snacks and beverages

•  Guided barn tours

•  Meet-and-greets with TRS horses, instructors, volunteers, and clients

Most importantly, the celebration will highlight the incredible clients who are at the heart

and soul of TRS’s mission of improving lives through the immeasurable power of horses

TRS empowers individuals of all abilities to build confidence, connection, independence,

and joy through inclusive equine experiences that inspire growth, learning, and belonging.

The Right Step, Inc. Celebrates Grand Opening of New Home

at Of Horse You Can! Village

Sunday, July 26, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

The Right Step, Inc. at Of Horse You Can! Village

6359 Airport Rd, Sedalia, CO 80135

PATH INTERNATIONAL ACCREDITED CENTER

2025 EQUUS Foundation Award for The Right Step, Inc.

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All images Copyright The Right Step, Inc. and EquuStyle Magazine -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from The Right Step, Inc. and/or EquuStyle Magazine.

#TheRightStepInc #equine-assistedservices #adaptiveriding #therapyhorses #adaptiveridingcenter #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Horses for Mental Health Campaign Expands Access to Mental Health Services with Horses

Horses for Mental Health collaborates with nonprofits to expand access to equine-assisted services

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The Horses for Mental Health Campaign (formerly Seen Through Horses Campaign) is about collective visibility, shared momentum, and expanding access to mental health services incorporating horses. For 31 days each May, Mental Health Awareness Month, Horses for Mental Health brings together programs nationwide to increase awareness, raise funding, and advocate for the integration of horses in mental health care and personal growth services.

The Horses for Mental Health Campaign Initiative

The campaign unites individuals, nonprofits, mental health professionals, celebrities, influencers, and businesses to create a cohesive community, empower nonprofits, and share impactful stories of healing and transformation through the horse-human connection.

Focus on Collective Visibility

The Horses for Mental Health campaign is dedicated to enhancing collective awareness regarding the profound benefits of equine-assisted mental health services within various communities and among potential donors. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between the therapeutic potential of working with horses and the individuals who could greatly benefit from such services.

Shared Momentum Across Communities

Collaboration with local mental health organizations, equine therapy practitioners, and community leaders is emphasized in each annual campaign. By forming partnerships, the campaign can amplify its message and reach a wider audience, ensuring that the information about these services is disseminated effectively. This collaborative approach not only enhances the credibility of the campaign but also fosters a sense of community involvement and support.

Expanding Access to Mental Health Services with Horses

Equine-assisted therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in mental health treatment, utilizing the unique bond between humans and horses to foster emotional healing and personal growth. By promoting this innovative therapy, the campaign seeks to educate communities about the various mental health challenges that can be addressed through equine interactions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.

To achieve this goal, the campaign employs a multi-faceted strategy that includes community outreach programs, educational workshops, and engaging storytelling. These efforts are designed to inform individuals about how equine-assisted therapy works, the science behind its effectiveness, and the personal stories of those who have experienced life-changing results. By showcasing real-life testimonials and success stories, Horses for Mental health aims to create a relatable narrative that resonates with both potential clients and donors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSILrEtZXsA

Supporting Mental Health in Rural Communities

Ways to Support the Campaign

Individuals globally are experiencing anxiety, trauma, stress, burnout, and a sense of disconnection. Horses provide a strong, grounding presence that enables people to feel acknowledged, balanced, and supported.

Worldwide, licensed therapists and trained facilitators partner with horses to assist individuals and families in improving their mental health.

Your support ensures more people can access these life-changing services. Every role — partner, ambassador, donor, sponsor — moves this mission forward. Below are four meaningful ways to get involved:

1. Advocate for Life-changing Programs

Help turn awareness into action by sharing the campaign with your friends, family, colleagues, and community on your social media accounts with a link to Horses for Mental Health's Campaign page.

2. Become a Fundraising Ambassador

Choose a specific Program Partner you care about and create your own fundraising page in support of their work.

3. Donate Directly

Select a Program Partner and donate securely on their campaign page. Every dollar raised directly supports local programs transforming lives in their communities. Participating organizations keep 100% of the funds they raise, so the impact stays where it’s needed most.

4. Become a Campaign Sponsor

Sponsors help power the campaign’s reach and infrastructure while aligning your brand with mental health, community well-being, and horses. To explore sponsorship opportunities, contact: Tyler Brklacich, Executive Director tyler@horsesformentalhealth.org

This is More Than Awareness. It's a Global Movement.

• Your support expands access to mental health and well-being services with horses

• Programs keep 100% of the funds they raise

• Every participating organization is vetted for safety, professionalism, and impact

• Your action stays local and strengthens community-based mental health care

When you participate, you’re not just giving. You’re changing lives.

Support the 2026 Campaign

Visit Website

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EquuStyle Art & Advocacy Magazine is proud to support the May 2026 Horses for Mental Health Campaign, especially during Mental Health Awareness Month. Please share the link to this article and consider ways you can support the Horses for Mental Health Campaign.

Special thanks to Tyler Brklacich Co-Founder & Executive Director of Horses for Mental Health, Lynn Thomas, Co-Founder & President, and Jacque Baumer, Co-Founder/Vice-President. The YouTube video is protected by copyright Horses for Mental Health and Zoetis Equine-all rights reserved.

#horsesformentalhealth #horsesformentalhealthcampaign  #equinetherapy #mentalhealthawrenessmonth #horseshelpingpeople #veterans #zoetisequine #therapyhorses #equustyle #equustylemagazine

Seen Through Horses: The Transformative Power of Horses for Veterans

A veteran engages with a therapy horse during a H.O.O.V.E.S. program. Photo credit: Sean McConnell

For many Veterans, returning to civilian life comes with invisible wounds. The weight of post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and the challenges of reintegration can diminish well-being and quality of life. Yet across the country, Veterans are discovering a unique path to healing—through the profound connection between humans and horses.

Healing Through Horses

In 2024, Horses for Mental Health (HMH) and Arenas for Change (ARCH), with funding from the Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant (VA ASG), partnered with 14 organizations across 11 states to provide equine-assisted learning services for 354 Veterans.

To assess the impact, 213 Veterans completed pre- and post-program assessments, and the results were remarkable:

✅ 93% reported improved mental health and well-being

✅ 99% said working with horses significantly enhanced their healing

The true impact is best understood through the voices of those who experienced it firsthand:

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

"I was barely a shell of a man when I came here. Now, I have confidence, clarity, and for the first time in decades, I see a future for myself."

"Horses don’t judge. They just meet you where you are. That made all the difference."

"For the first time, I feel like I’m not just surviving—I’m actually living again."

A Path to Transformation

At the heart of this work is transformation—what Arenas for Change calls an “ARCH Moment.” These life-changing turning points mark the shift from struggle to hope, allowing individuals to step through a metaphorical arch of new perspectives and personal growth.

For Veterans, healing unfolds in the presence of a horse, where the nervous system—often overstimulated and dysregulated by trauma—can begin to settle. Horses offer a calm, nonjudgmental space, allowing Veterans to experience safety, connection, and trust.

"Being in their presence is the greatest peace I have ever experienced!" – Veteran participant

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Amanda Held - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Amanda Held - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Horses’ intuitive responses provide honest, unfiltered feedback, reflecting emotions and behaviors in ways that help Veterans process their experiences from a new perspective.

“They showed me how I was showing up to others, and I did not realize that at first. It was eye-opening, for sure.” – Veteran participant

Through these interactions, many Veterans describe a profound reconnection—not just with the horses, but with their own authentic selves.

“I feel lighter and more free to be myself.” – Veteran participant

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Amanda Held, founder of H.O.O.V.E.S. in Ohio, has witnessed these transformations firsthand. “Many Veterans walk into our program feeling disconnected and hopeless. But after working with the horses alongside our personal growth curriculum, they rediscover trust, confidence, and purpose. The grant funding allowed us to serve Veterans who might not have had access otherwise.”

For Carol Young at Healing Strides of Virginia, the experience is just as profound. “The most powerful thing is watching a Veteran who was once withdrawn begin to reconnect—with themselves, with others, and with life. These programs aren’t just helping—they’re saving lives.”

A veteran participating in an equine-assisted services program at Healing Strides of VA.

Healing Strides of VA facility

Sustaining the Impact - Seen Through Horses Campaign

Providing these services takes dedication—not just to the Veterans, but also to the horses. Programs rely on financial support to ensure proper care for their equine partners, maintain facilities, and train skilled facilitators.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Beyond the VA Grant, programs like H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA expanded their reach through the Seen Through Horses Campaign, a national awareness and fundraising effort led by Horses for Mental Health, with support from title sponsor Zoetis. 

Through this initiative, these organizations gained visibility, attracted new supporters, and secured additional funding to continue serving Veterans and caring for their horses.

"Participating in the campaign allowed us to reach more people who believe in the power of horses to heal," said Young. "It helped us sustain our work, not just for the Veterans, but for the horses who make it possible.”

The Bigger Picture: Horses for Mental Health & ARCH

The Seen Through Horses Campaign, produced annually by Horses for Mental Health during May, Mental Health Awareness Month, brings together programs nationwide to increase awareness, raise funding, and advocate for the integration of horses in mental health care and personal growth services.

Additionally, many of these programs benefit from training and support through Arenas for Change (ARCH), which equips facilitators with an innovative, story-based approach in their equine-assisted work. This approach helps professionals create safe, engaging, and meaningful experiences, empowering clients to author their own transformative journeys.

The results are clear:

✅ Veterans are healing

✅ Programs are growing

✅ More people are recognizing the power of horses to change lives.

And for the men and women who have served our country, that means hope—not just for today, but for the future.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Sean McConnell - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Photo credit: Megan Smits - H.O.O.V.E.S.

Support the Mission

To learn more about these programs or to get involved:

Horses for Mental Health: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/ 

Arenas for Change (ARCH): https://arenasforchange.com/

To access the full VA Grant outcome report, visit: https://horsesformentalhealth.org/veterans-2024grantreport/

Visit the website

Support the 2025 Campaign

Visit the website

EquuStyle Art & Travel magazine thanks Tyler Brklacich Co-Founder & Executive Director of Horses for Mental Health and Lynn Thomas, CEO and Founder of Arenas for Change (ARCH). Please share the link to this article to help raise awareness about HMH’s Seen Through Horses Campaign, especially during May which is Mental Health Awareness month.

All images Copyright Horses for Mental Health, H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA -all rights reserved. Cannot be reproduced for any purpose without permission from Horses for Mental Health , H.O.O.V.E.S. and Healing Strides of VA.

#horsesformentalhealth #seenthroughhorsescampaign #seenthroughhorses #arenasforchange #equinetherapy #mentalhealthawrenessmonth #horseshelpingpeople #veterans#veterans equine-assisted mental health programs #H.O.O.V.E.S. #HealingStridesofVA #zoetisequine #horses #equustyle #equustylemagazine