Veterans Program

Horsemanship for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members!

Our horsemanship class is open to both veterans and active duty service members of the U.S. armed forces. This class focuses on teaching horse behavior and psychology, safety around horses, as well as basic groundwork skills as a platform for further equine education, and as an exciting opportunity for experiential learning.

Through meaningful individual and group interactions with our horses, participants will learn how to create safe, fair, and effective horse-human relationships, and may develop or improve important life skills such as self-awareness, self-confidence, verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and emotional regulation.

The group meets weekly on Sundays from 2-4pm. For more information contact Tricia Plattner, who leads our Veteran’s group, at tricia@prtr.org.

Some benefits of this program include:

  • Camaraderie with other veterans and active duty service members of all branches of the U.S. armed forces
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Progressive work toward advanced horsemanship classes and other workshops or clinics

To sign up or to get more information, please email info@prtr.org

Here's what our Veterans say about the program

“Come on out and check us out. Not much structure or organization. Just some veterans connecting with horses and each other. No learning required. It feels like letting out a deep breath of life.” Ron, Navy ’63-’69.

“The Promise Ranch Veterans program has meant a lot to me as an aging veteran. Over the last four + years I have enjoyed the group of both older and younger veterans that have visited our program. We all have a common link as we served our Country in the military. We all came home to a changed society.

We ALL SHARE SIMILAR SITUATIONS during our military experiences. Based upon this we know how each other feels and handles various feelings. The horses are great relaxing animals for veterans troubled or just looking for comfort. The combination of a horse therapist and the veterans has been very rewarding seeing how we can relax and just enjoy the time with friends and the undemanding horses.

I feel lucky to be a part of this great opportunity to enjoy story telling and good horsemanship. Hopefully we can continue this great support within the Ranch and our community. The combination of veterans and recently discharged veterans might help the younger people realize they are not alone in their venture back into civilian life. Along with all the other problems life throws at them, our group will be there to listen and support our young veterans.” Tom