The Annual Seen Through Horses Campaign Raises Awareness of the Impact of Mental Health Services Incorporating Horses
It’s no secret to horse people that the quiet time spent in the barn or caring for their horses offers an escape from the pressures of daily life — bills, deadlines, work and relationships. The smell of the barn, the horse’s rhythmic breathing and the shared connection allow the unpredictable events of daily life, family dynamics and societal events to fade into the background.
“Being in the barn every day and doing chores gives me the most fulfillment of my life,” says Shelby Van Weeden, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, firefighter and paramedic. “If I never got to sit on another horse, I would be okay just taking care of them for the rest of my life because being in the quiet with the animals and providing for them gives us peace and balance and recenters us.”
After pulling four people out of a house fire in February 2024, Van Weeden experienced a mix of feelings that caused her a lot of stress in her personal life. While on an endurance ride training for the Mongol Derby, riding brought clarity and allowed her to release the adrenaline and stress of the life-saving event she performed.
Shelby Van Weeden, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, firefighter and paramedic. Photo credit Mike Battien
“I was out in this field riding. The sun was shining; it was a beautiful day, and we were flying,” Van Weeden says. “It made me forget everything that had been going on in my life and realize that in high-stress moments, the barn gives me the peace that life will keep moving.”
As a lifelong rider, she has experienced the benefits of being around horses, inspiring her to become an advocate for the Seen Through Horses Campaign launched by Horses for Mental Health in 2022.
The annual campaign raises funds for mental health and personal growth services, incorporating horses. It runs nationwide during Mental Health Awareness Month (May 1-31) and unites over 100 partners across the U.S., Canada and Ireland.
“Seen Through Horses is designed todestigmatize conversations around mental health and raise awareness of the benefits of mental health services and programs involving equines,” says Tyler Brklacich, executive director and co-founder of HMH. “It is also designed to increase access to quality programs that incorporate horses with mental health and personal growth by convening and supporting equine nonprofits in this sector and facilitating a fundraising campaign for nonprofit organizations breaking barriers within the sector.”
Actor and musician C. Thomas Howell, a multi-time California Junior Rodeo Association All-Around Champion, has also joined the campaign.
Actor, musician and multi-time California Junior Rodeo Association All-Around Champion, C. Thomas Howell joins Seen Through Horses
“Horses are unlike any other experience you can have, especially with a human, because there’s really no judgment when it comes to a horse,” Howell says. “A horse doesn’t care if you’ve had a hard day at work or if you won the lottery. They can sense the space you are in when you’re connecting with them, and that is something I find to be grounding and lovely, and you don’t have to put on airs when you’re with a horse.”
How Horses HelpAnyone who has spent time with horses knows the impact of that connection. The simple act of daily chores can lighten the pressure of a bad day. In an increasingly digital, disconnected world, it’s these authentic connections that can help people better cope with the stress and burnout of daily life and help individuals with mental illness heal.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, increasing their risk for developing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases by 40% and increasing the likelihood of unemployment and substance use disorder. Stigma, feelings of shame, fears of being treated differently, limited access to care providers and insurance costs frequently keep people from seeking help.
Today, horses and trained facilitators partner in various therapeutic services for humans, including mental health, psychotherapy and well-being.
“As prey animals, horses are highly intuitive to nonverbal messages and intentions. Through this, we receive unbiased feedback, and our stories are transformed in a safe and powerful way,” Brklacich says. “Due to their size and presence, horses create a sense of awe, leading to increased emotional safety and engagement in the treatment process. Horses provide a safe and dynamic environment, where peace and healing come through relationships facilitated by trained professionals.”
How to Get InvolvedSince its launch in 2022, the Seen Through Horses Campaign has raised $1 million for nonprofit partners, supporting programs that connect people with healing through horses. Made possible by sponsor support, the campaign benefits 95 nonprofits focused on mental health and personal growth through equine-assisted services. Learn more at horsesformentalhealth.org/campaign.
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