Founded by Southern Nevada teen Allison Knott, an equestrian, Horses for Heroes, Inc. introduces the wonder and love of horses and horseback riding to the children of the men and women in our community who do so much for us every day … police officers, firemen, active duty military, special needs teachers, hospice nurses and other heroes within our communities.
With the help of family and friends, Allison began laying the groundwork for Horses for Heroes by encouraging friends in the horse community to offer deeply discounted lessons, day-long horse camps and clinics for the children of these heroes. Children ages five to 15 are welcomed into the program regardless of their parents’ ability to pay. Fees and scheduling for lessons, clinics and camps can differ from barn to barn.
Recently, Horses for Heroes received an anonymous email. The sender writes: “Children that have parents deployed might need a friend. There are some good friends and there are bad friends, but the best friend in the world is a horse. Horses can listen to you and really make you happy if you are down. Some kids may have a hole in their heart where the parents are and the horse could fill that hole with the horse’s love.”
“For those parents who are deployed, they might not worry about their kids because they are so worried about getting killed or if they are being taken care of. For the parents that worry about their kids, this organization may help. They will know that their kids are enjoying themselves and maybe aren’t thinking about the war and the welfare of their parents. Since they are worrying less about their kids it will help them fight better and give them a better chance at staying alive. Now, Horses for Heroes is helping protect our country.”
By agreeing to participate in Horses for Heroes, barn owners, trainers or riding instructors, agree to offer private, semi-private or group lessons at a price well below the cost of a beginner’s lesson.
To introduce new Horses for Heroes riders, member barns are asked to hold a play day or mini-camp as an orientation session. Lessons – private, semi-private or group – can be arranged from those who attend a session and expressed sufficient interest in taking lessons. Sponsors may underwrite the costs of these camps.
As an additional community service, Horses for Heroes recommends that the barn owner and/or trainer use experienced teenage volunteers, when practical, to assist with the program. Many school programs, churches, clubs and colleges encourage and/or require community service hours. Horses for Heroes provides an avenue for young riders to do their community service work at the barn, without sacrificing their time and love for their horses. Student volunteers help by brushing and saddling the horses, warming them up, assisting with lessons, cooling down and unsaddling.
Since its founding Horses for Heroes has worked with Southern Nevada police forces, firefighters, school district and Nellis AFB toward the goal of offering discounted lessons. In addition, Horses for Heroes continues to meet with barns, trainers and riding stables in Las Vegas to create a network of participating equestrian facilities.
While the program was launched in Las Vegas, Horses for Heroes plans to expand its network to include barns and equestrian training facilities across the country. The organization will work closely with AQHA, APHA, PtHA, and other national horse associations and their youth groups.
As a not-for-profit organization Horses for Heroes, Inc. can accept donations of feed, tack, helmets and horses, as well as cash donations. Eventually, the organization hopes to be in a position to accept the donation of “school” horses for its programs.
For more information on Horses for Heroes call The Diamond K Ranch, which has donated office space, or The PR Group, a Las Vegas-based public relations firm, which is donating its services to the organization at 702-646-8470.