Call RF to discuss if
healing through horses
is for you
719-766-8567
Call RF to discuss if
healing through horses
is for you
719-766-8567
Remount Foundation provides a powerful, transformative experience through horses, nature, and community that helps America’s Bravest achieve wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually, to fulfill their potential to be citizens of this great country.
Remount Foundation was started in 2009 by Jeanne Springer and Billy Jack Barrett. Both were working in various capacities at the United States Air Force Academy Equestrian Center with cadets and other military members when they began to see horses in a new light. They witnessed first-hand the transformative, healing power between equines and humans. From there, Billy Jack and Jeanne started tapping into the equine magic.
The program grew, mostly by word of mouth, and a vital mission took form. In 2016, Remount Foundation was selected for the organization’s name, symbolizing the rich history between horses and the United States military, which was once called the Remount Service.
As Remount Foundation started growing, the organization began focusing on its purpose to provide a safe environment and supportive community to bring military service members back from the brink of suicide ideation. The Remount team quickly realized that the pain experienced by the service member also extended to their family members.
In addition to combat warriors, Remount Foundation received inquiries for help from first responders in the law enforcement and the medical communities. These frontline heroes were losing the fight to live due to traumatic service and life experiences similar to Remount’s military participants.
The resupply of horses and mules to military fronts of American armed forces dates back to the Civil War, but it had been an ad hoc affair. In 1908, the Army began Remount, a formal program supplying horses for moving armies, artillery, and supplies. For U.S. troops, Remount horses also warmed the hearts and raised the morale of soldiers during wartimes.
In 1913, Remount started its own breeding program with appeals to civilian breeders for suitable stallions. The program produced recognizable horses of the highest quality. Most of today’s registered Paints, Palominos, Quarter Horses, and Appaloosas are direct bloodlines from Remount stallions.
In spite of the program’s successful 40-plus-years run, the evolving mechanized transport options replaced real horsepower. In 1948, the Remount program ended.
Today, the Remount legacy lives on. Remount Foundation has assisted thousands of U.S. service members to discover healing through horses. Remount Foundation co-founder Billy Jack Barrett says, “For decades Remount horses carried warriors into battle, now the animals are taking their riders down the road to healing.”
With the United States disengaged from active combat, most Americans may assume a decreased need for Remount Foundation’s services. Unfortunately, the reality is a marked increase in needed suicide prevention support from organizations such as Remount.
Colorado Springs, CO is home to many of our nation’s key military installations. Those service members who spend some time in “The Springs” usually select it as their home following their service tours. Colorado Springs, the county seat of El Paso County, Colorado enjoys abundant sunshine, incredible Front Range mountain views with downtown nestled at the base of Pikes Peak, and easy access to all of the outdoor activities and events Colorado has to offer. The already large veterans community continues to grow within the expanding civilian population. However, there is a dark statistic in the shadow of America’s Mountain®.
The El Paso County Coroner’s 2021 Annual Report came out following the worst months of the worldwide, COVID pandemic. With so many lives lost and the isolation experienced by practically every American, there was some expectation of an increase in the suicide rate in every community. The report appears to show positive signs of managing the mental health impacts of the pandemic with the county-wide number of suicides dropping slightly. That optimism is dashed when you see the detailed breakouts of the coroner’s numbers. In 2021, El Paso County experienced a 2% drop in suicides county-wide year over year; however,
In the year that saw the end of twenty years of conflict in Iraq/Afghanistan, more of our bravest succumbed to the lingering effects of war. The impact upon the lives of our active duty military and our veterans is deep. Very deep. And even with the VA and several organizations in Southern Colorado providing assistance, the waves of depression continue to attack our warriors.
The 2023 El Paso County Coroner’s Annual Report The small decrease in 2022 sounded good; however, 2023 exposed the hidden wounds. The most recent coroner’s annual report updates the statistics showing a slight decrease county-wide of under 3%. That decrease masks a
The Watson Institute at Brown University found that
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 catastrophic weather incidents. 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 (PTSD) or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Remount Foundation empowers America’s Bravest struggling with service-related PTSD and traumatic life events to harness a transformed life of peace escaping the termination point they have reached. At Remount, this healing transition on a lifepath from surviving to thriving starts with a horse.