On a warm afternoon in June, I entered a large barn in Harvard, Illinois. The scent of hay and horses was thick in the air, and the sunlight spilled through open doorways, casting golden ripples on the shadowed floor. Walking through the barn, I noticed the horse stalls were clean and organized. Several of the horses had their heads extended from their stalls, looking for attention.
A fellow Veteran and volunteer, Mike, introduced himself as we continued walking by the stalls, which lined our path. Mike described the barn layout and talked about a few horses. A computer screen on the wall listed the scheduled riders for the day, their riding time slots, horses, and the type of riding equipment that was needed.
Sun City resident Russ Kovar with his therapy horse, Oatie, at BraveHarts, a therapeutic equestrian riding center. (Photo provided)
The therapeutic riding and dducational center, BraveHearts, is the most extensive healing and horsemanship program in the nation. They provide both recreational and therapeutic riding services free of charge to veterans and offer their services to children and adults with disabilities and various medical conditions.
As I waited by an empty stall, anticipating my first riding experience, employees, volunteers, and instructors were busy working with a riding group that was ending their session in the large indoor riding arena. Mike said to follow him, and he led me to the horse I was scheduled to ride, Oatie, an eleven-hundred-pound, grey mustang measuring about fifteen hands, or fifty-six inches.
Oatie is one of the top therapy horses at BraveHearts, serving military veterans and reportedly winning the hearts of many. The therapy horses, including Oatie, provide individuals with feedback that helps them explore their thoughts and emotions, facilitating emotional healing.
According to a Facebook post from BraveHearts, in December 2024, Oatie even played Santa.
Mike retrieved Oatie from the pasture, where he was grazing and relaxing in a shaded area, enjoying a roll in the grass. Mike used a soft brush to groom and instructed me to follow up with a face brush. He advised me to feel for ticks and burrs. After we finished, he lifted each of Oatie’s legs and removed the mud with a claw-like tool called a hoof pick from under his hooves.
Mike explained that regularly cleaning mud from horse hooves is crucial for maintaining hoof health and preventing various issues. When dirt accumulates, it traps moisture, creating a perfect breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungi, such as those that cause thrush. Prolonged exposure to wet, muddy conditions can also soften the hoof structure, increasing the risk of bruises, cracks, and infections.
Next, I assisted Mike in putting on Oatie’s saddle pad, saddle, bridle, reins, and other equipment. Bill, a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, took me aside and told me, “Before you ride, we will be doing some groundwork, helping you to get acquainted with your horse, understanding how to give him direction, and other horsemanship instructions.
Using the lead rope, I walked Oatie into a large indoor riding arena, where the floor is layered with sand and a viewing deck. A wheelchair or ADA ramp with a gradual incline is located near the entrance to the arena, allowing riders to mount their horses easily. Three other riders were walking their horses around the arena.
What followed were exercises designed to teach me how to lead Oatie, as well as foster a relationship between the rider and the horse. As I led Oatie through several maneuvers, including walking in a circle and backing him up, he responded easily.
I constantly praised his performance, stroking his neck, to show my approval. These actions will help him remember me when I return for my next session.
During my ride around the arena, I learned how to direct Oatie to walk to the right or left by looking in that direction, as he felt my body move slightly. Applying pressure with my leg on one side directed him to turn in the opposite direction. These are alternative ways to maneuver him where I wanted him to go, in addition to using the reins. When I dropped the reins, he stopped. Although the lesson was short, I learned a great deal, and it was an excellent introduction to BraveHearts’ programs. After mastering basic horsemanship skills, participants will develop riding skills such as learning to trot, canter, and to have better rein management. Some additional available opportunities include Operation Mustang, trail rides, competing in an Annual Horse Show hosted by BraveHearts, and receiving mental health services through equine-assisted psychotherapy. BraveHearts also began Trail to Zero, a mission that uses 20-mile rides, symbolizing the twenty Veterans who die by suicide daily, to raise awareness and promote equine-assisted therapy as a method of healing. It is focused on raising awareness of Veteran suicide and providing a solution through the healing power of horses.
Bill explained, BraveHearts’ President/CEO, Meggan Hill-McQueeney, scours the country for horses who have the necessary attributes, skills, and abilities to make exceptional therapy horses, as the job of a therapy horse is no small feat. BraveHearts was founded by Marge Tautkus Gunnar through the inspiration she received from her horse, Max, a Lipizzaner stallion. Her personal experience and recovery, which focused on the therapeutic ability of her horse, influenced the choice of the name, BraveHearts, and for all who come to the farms having the bravest hearts.
Bill told me an interesting story about when Meggan went to look at horses. Meggan and another veteran were evaluating many horses. One horse followed them everywhere in the holding pen that was full of lots of horses. They learned the horse had been abused and he was notably a few hundred pounds underweight. When they shut the gate, the horse stared at them intently.
When they completed their evaluation, they walked to the opposite side of the arena, stopping to say goodbye to some people. Not long after they started their conversation, the horse they had just looked at approached, putting his head between them. Meggan and the veteran both felt this horse deserved a chance, and later he was loaded into their trailer to come to BraveHearts.
After being given a new name, “Winston”, two months of care and steady grazing, he was returned to a healthy weight, and in another three months of focused training, he proved himself to be a remarkable fit for BraveHearts, emerging as one of the finest horses in the program. This horse went on to become the 2022 PATH Intl. Equine of the Year and a member of the EQUUS Foundation Horse Stars Hall of Fame.
Leaving the Harvard, Illinois, facility that first day, I drove past beautiful open farmland dotted with barns, silos, and farms, as far as the eye can see. Looking back, I could see BrakeHearts’ large barn, situated on twenty lush acres of land, with two large, heated riding arenas, twenty-four elegant stalls, each with a fan and multiple feeding buckets and water troughs, classrooms, and a beautiful conference center used for gathering Veterans for meals, trainings, meetings, and special events. A twenty-acre pasture provides ample room for the horses to graze daily, and the beautiful Piscasaw Creek runs through the property.
Results of their programs provide cognitive, emotional, and spiritual healing and support for Veterans and individuals with special needs.
BraveHearts’ mission is, “BraveHearts brings hope, joy, and unlimited possibilities through the healing power of the horse.”
My goal is to continue with riding lessons while increasing my understanding of horses and the BraveHearts programs. Each lesson offers more than just skill-building—it’s a chance to witness the genuine camaraderie among Veterans, volunteers, and staff. Their shared passion creates an incredibly welcoming and uplifting environment, making every experience truly memorable for those who participate.
As a Veteran and avid Veteran supporter, I am thankful for the tremendous efforts and programs that have helped more than 10,000 Veterans since 2007.
Thank you, 25BraveHearts.
