Horsepower for Heroes – Remount Foundation

TheRF Method

Our Nation'sHeroesNeed Your Help

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With the United States disengaged from active combat, most Americans may assume a decreased need for Remount Foundation services. Unfortunately, the reality is a marked increase in needed support from organizations such as Remount. The El Paso County Coroner’s 2021 Annual Report revealed a saddening trend developing in our military community. El Paso County experienced a 2% drop in suicides county-wide year over year; however,

within the county's military community, the number of suicides increased by 20%in 2021.

In the year that saw the end of twenty years of conflict in Iraq/Afghanistan, an increased number of the brave succumbed to the lingering effects of war. The Watson Institute at Brown University found that

over four timesthe number of active-duty personnel and post-9/11 war

veteransdied from suicidethan were killed in aggregate of all post-9/11 combat.

These individuals return from physical battles only to encounter an internal conflict–a mental war zone overwhelming them with depression and suicidal ideation. And our first responders are experiencing increased service-related trauma with upsurges in mass casualty incidents and the daily strain placed on the healthcare system by COVID. These brave men and women serving our nation and our communities are experiencing the life-altering effects now saddled upon them by Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Remount Foundation exists to end thissuicide crisis in our military community.

More than

1001

of America's Bravest and their families have participated in Remount Foundation programs

TheRemount Method

The horse has long been recognized for developing and maintaining relationships with humans. Through time, horses have fascinated and encouraged people to reach their highest degree of success and survival. There is a difficult to define, yet undeniable, linkage between horses and people. Resulting relationships encompass physical, mental and spiritual components that are readily perceived and recognized by anyone who has had experiences with horses. The Remount Foundation has long recognized this reality and has successfully utilized horses in assistance and therapy for military veterans, active duty military personnel, the first responder community, and their families. The suicide concerns in these communities is alarming and not going away. The Remount Foundation brings individuals, families and groups together with horses to facilitate healing. Horses can become leaders and colleagues in a program that works for anyone, regardless of equine experience, and even on a first-time encounter.

Each participant is a unique individual. The Remount path to healing is based upon this belief that no one method or process of healing works for everyone. Each program participant is evaluated and in constant contact with the program director to adjust the participant’s path as necessary to find the healing peace they seek. Here are three of the methods Remount uses to lead our heroes to their path for healing.

Equine-Assisted Philosophy

Our flagship program is equine-assisted philosophy (EAP), which is an intensive program designed to help participants take ownership of their healing, learn to reconnect with their families and provide them with the resilience tools to successfully reintegrate into society. Participants in our EAP program come from all branches of the military, as well as our communities’ first responders. Participants come from all walks of life and education: enlisted, officers, infantry, medical, special operations, truck drivers, lawyers, doctors, pilots, and engineers.

We also take great pride in serving veterans of all eras, including Vietnam War veterans, as we believe it is never too late to find healing. Many of our volunteers are Vietnam Veterans who are devoted to helping younger veterans come home from war; to providing a healing path that they never had when they came home from their war. We believe in the power of cross-generational healing and mentorship. Text Graphic 50% Our participants admit to suicidal ideation, intention, or attempts before starting our program

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of our participants admit to suicidal ideation, intention, or attempts before starting our program

Our EAL participants struggle with anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping, anger, and guilt – all hallmark symptoms of PTSD. Many of our participants are referred from either military or VA mental health professionals, from other non-profit organizations, or – one of the most telling signs of success – word of mouth from other participants or alumni of the Remount Foundation EAL program. Our participants often come to the Remount Foundation near the end of their resilience tether, having lost hope in the military or VA care systems. After going through an intake screening to assess their needs, we partner the participant with a staff member (who are primarily unpaid volunteers) who facilitates a series of exercises designed to help the participant learn to process their traumatic experiences, take ownership of their healing, and build the tools of resilience needed to reintegrate into society.

Horse Boy

The Horse Boy Method is another equine therapy technique the Remount Foundation uses to help military families (including those affected by autism) and warriors – particularly those affected by traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is the “signature wound” of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, often caused by blast injuries caused by improvised explosive devices. The Horse Boy Method, designed by Rupert Isaacson, helps participants through a series of sensory movement exercises and interactions with the horse. Whether through one-on-one work with combat wounded warriors suffering from the side effects of TBI, or through half-day sessions for military families (especially those families with autistic children). We couch the Horse Boy family sessions as “play dates” for the children, and we continue to see tremendous positive results as the families find calm and confidence through interactions with the horses.

Heartmath®

The Remount Foundation uses the HeartMath technique to help participants reduce their stress and anxiety through research-based, technology-facilitated exercises. With the high prevalence of anxiety, stress, anger, and depression in those affected by PTS, we believe that offering HeartMath to our participants is a great way to help them take control of their healing and add a tool to their resilience toolbox. We provide our participants with HeartMath physiological monitors that, through a smartphone application, provide biofeedback to help participants control their breathing and regain inner balance. We know from over a decade of experience that the most effective and sustainable outcomes for warriors happens when they take control of their healing.

In theMedia

Local NBC-affiliate KOAA News 5 featured the Remount program in the station’s recognition of Colorado community programs that make a difference.

Click here to watch the story by News 5.

Ticketed golfers and guests, click here for the Day of Tournament information.