WILD HEART MUSTANGS
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
  • Trainer Tips
  • Vet Talk
  • Homesteading
  • Freedom's Trail
  • L'il Buckaroos
  • Calendar of Events
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
    • ADV - Home Page
    • ADV - Articles Page
    • ADV - Calendar of Events
    • ADV - Resources
  • Archives
    • Mar/Apr 2017 e-zine >
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Home
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Horse Sense
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Articles
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Trainer Tips
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Vet Talk
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Homesteading
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Freedom's Trail
      • Mar/Apr 2017 L'il Buckaroos
    • Jan/Feb 2017 e-zine >
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Home
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Horse Sense
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Articles
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Trainer Tips
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Vet Talk
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Homesteading
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Freedom's Trail
      • Jan/Feb 2017 L'il Buckaroos
    • Jan 2016 e-zine >
      • Jan 2016 Home
      • Jan 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jan 2016 Articles
      • Jan 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jan 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jan 2016 Homesteading
      • Jan 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jan 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jan 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jan 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Jan 2016 Resources
    • Feb 2016 e-zine >
      • Feb 2016 Home
      • Feb 2016 Horse Sense
      • Feb 2016 Articles
      • Feb 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Feb 2016 Vet Talk
      • Feb 2016 Homesteading
      • Feb 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Feb 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Feb 2016 Trail Riding
      • Feb 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Feb 2016 Resources
    • Mar 2016 e-zine >
      • Mar 2016 Home
      • Mar 2016 Horse Sense
      • Mar 2016 Articles
      • Mar 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Mar 2016 Vet Talk
      • Mar 2016 Homesteading
      • Mar 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Mar 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Mar 2016 Trail Riding
      • Mar 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Mar 2016 Resources
    • Apr 2016 e-zine >
      • Apr 2016 Home
      • Apr 2016 Horse Sense
      • Apr 2016 Articles
      • Apr 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Apr 2016 Vet Talk
      • Apr 2016 Homesteading
      • Apr 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Apr 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Apr 2016 Trail Riding
      • Apr 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Apr 2016 Resources
    • May 2016 e-zine >
      • May 2016 Home >
        • Advertising - May 2016
      • May 2016 Horse Sense
      • May 2016 Articles
      • May 2016 Trainer Tips
      • May 2016 Vet Talk
      • May 2016 Homesteading
      • May 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • May 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • May 2016 Trail Riding
      • May 2016 Calendar of Events
      • May 2016 Resources
    • Jun 2016 e-zine >
      • Jun 2016 Home
      • Jun 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jun 2016 Articles
      • Jun 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jun 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jun 2016 Homesteading
      • Jun 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jun 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jun 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jun 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Jul 2016 e-zine >
      • Jul 2016 Home
      • Jul 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jul 2016 Articles
      • Jul 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jul 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jul 2016 Homesteading
      • Jul 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jul 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jul 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jul 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Aug 2016 e-zine >
      • Aug 2016 Home
      • Aug 2016 Horse Sense
      • Aug 2016 Articles
      • Aug 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Aug 2016 Vet Talk
      • Aug 2016 Homesteading
      • Aug 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Aug 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Aug 2016 Trail Riding
      • Aug 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Sep 2016 e-zine >
      • Sep 2016 Home
      • Sep 2016 Horse Sense
      • Sep 2016 Articles
      • Sep 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Sep 2016 Vet Talk
      • Sep 2016 Homesteading
      • Sep 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Sep 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Sep 2016 Trail Riding
      • Sep 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Oct 2016 e-zine >
      • Oct 2016 Home
      • Oct 2016 Horse Sense
      • Oct 2016 Articles
      • Oct 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Oct 2016 Vet Talk
      • Oct 2016 Homesteading
      • Oct 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Oct 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Oct 2016 Trail Riding
      • Oct 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Nov 2016 e-zine >
      • Nov 2016 Home
      • Nov 2016 Horse Sense
      • Nov 2016 Articles
      • Nov 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Nov 2016 Vet Talk
      • Nov 2016 Homesteading
      • Nov 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Nov 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Nov 2016 Trail Riding
      • Nov 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Dec 2016 e-zine >
      • Dec 2016 Home
      • Dec 2016 Horse Sense
      • Dec 2016 Articles
      • Dec 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Dec 2016 Vet Talk
      • Dec 2016 Homesteading
      • Dec 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Dec 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Dec 2016 Calendar of Events

RIDING FREEDOM'S TRAIL

Picture

AMERICA THE BRAVE

The Wild Heart Mustangs™ logo features a strong symbol of something we feel passionate about - the American flag. The freedom that Americans enjoy has never been free. It's been defended and preserved by countless military men and women who've given their time, energy, strength, heart  - and sometimes their lives -  in the name of freedom.

This page is dedicated to those in the military now, and in the past, and to the families who watched, waited and prayed for the safety of their loved ones.  Let us never forget those who have served this great country.  Thank you ALL for your service! 


Picture

On this page, you'll find articles about honor, health and healing for the heroes among us, with a section of resources that we hope will help and inspire you. If you have questions that aren't answered here, please let us know and we'll do our best to assist you.
Picture
Picture

FEATURED THERAPY HORSE OF THE MONTH

A Wild Young Mustang Finds His Way: Bravo’s Story
by Tricia Carzoli
Picture
Bravo is the featured therapy mustang of December.  He is from the BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center

“Bravo is patient … he’s taught me a lot about being patient … he teaches a lot of veterans to be … in the moment,” U.S. Marine Cpl and PATH Registered Level Instructor Nicholas Montijo said of the wild mustang who now functions as a therapy horse for therapeutic riding at BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center in Harvard, Illinois.

​One of the younger horses at BraveHearts, Montijo said it was Bravo’s precocious personality that gets him noticed, but it is his work ethic that earns him accolades.
 
“Bravo is very responsive,” he said. He explained that Bravo’s disposition makes him an excellent model for foundation horsemanship, which familiarizes participants with horses while on the ground and utilizing the round pen.
 



Six-year-old Bravo responds quickly and thus can teach veterans at BraveHearts a lot about feel. “If you pick up on the reins, he knows it; he is sensitive. He is great for our more advanced veterans,” Montijo said.

BraveHearts adopted the bay mustang that stands at 14.2 hands with a white stripe on his nose in 2013 through the Bureau of Land Management in order to participate in the Mustang Million competition – where he competed with a veteran showing him both in trail and in freestyle competitions – and they never have looked back.
 
“His soft eye shows us daily that he has settled with us at BraveHearts and found his forever home; he likes his work and his new purpose.  We could not do what we do if it were not for Bravo,” BraveHearts Chief Operating Officer and PATH Master Level Instructor Meggan Hill-McQueeney said.
 
He most often is used in the veteran program for therapeutic riding, foundation horsemanship and drill team. This year Bravo competed in Special Olympics and was clipped and braided – a new experience for him! 


Another first was performing in Cheyenne Frontier Days this summer. For two weeks, Bravo participated in parades and grand entries. “[He showed] the public an awesome finished product,” Hill-McQueeney said. 
 
As a young mustang, Bravo knew only a life in the wild – one not of security, but of survival. This makes him an excellent candidate for working with veterans. Bravo was a quick student and was haltered, saddled and gentled in record time, proving that he was born to work with veterans.


Indeed, with his responsive and willing nature, Bravo also always is ready for the challenge. “He can be walked, trotted and cantered throughout a lesson and never break a sweat,” Montijo said. This work ethic allows staff to know that veterans always are in good hands when they work with Bravo. He knows his job at the farm and follows through with consistent dedication.

Picture
Bravo, being shown by a veteran, in the Mustang Million 2013
Picture

There is an innate knowledge that allows Bravo to mirror the soul of a veteran. The wild mustang from Nevada intuitively knows when a veteran is in pain, is working through the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder or needs to be challenged.
 
Bravo has found his home and his calling at BraveHearts: leading veterans to a place of peace.
 
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Premier Accredited Center that serves veterans and their families free of charge. To learn more about BraveHearts or to support the nonprofit organization, visit www.braveheartsriding.org.
Picture
Picture

​General Information for BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Center
Phone:  815.943.8226
​7319 Maxon Road
Harvard, IL  60033
​

For volunteer opportunities email: volunteerinfo@braveheartsriding.org

Picture

​FINALLY HOME FARM - Military Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (E.A.P.)
Wilberforce, OH

Picture

​Our Mission:

Finally Home Farm is a non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to healing our mentally wounded warriors through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). FHF is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) as a military services provider. Our staff is trained and certified as EAGALA Equine Specialist. FHF works in cooperation with The Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the intake and referral of military veteran clients into the equine psycho-therapy treatment program. We are supported by the Greene County Career Center, using their Agricultural Research Center equine facility for private therapy sessions, year round, indoors or outdoors. We also serve police, fire and paramedic personnel who have suffered mental trauma on the streets.  Our mission bring our heroes HOME in mind, spirit and body.  
Why Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is a growing modality of treatment which specifically benefits Post Traumatic Stress issues surrounding pre and post deployment, family therapy, and addictions. As a prey animal, horses are very sensitive, highly alert, and exceptional at reading non-verbal communication. This high alert state is something military members relate to. Because horses read non-verbals so well, they respond in ways which begin to feel very familiar, i.e. just like their wives, husbands, kids, unit, coworkers, elusive dreams, fears, etc. The horses become very real symbols of relationships and allow veterans the opportunity to identify stress, anxiety and to work through how to change aspects of their lives in an experiential, metaphoric in-the-moment and emotionally safe method. There is no riding or horsemanship in an EAP program; the horses are free and able to be themselves with the humans. All therapy activity is on the ground, in a pasture or indoor arena, interacting with the horses, where the horses can react naturally, creating a learning experience for the client. 
Our Staff 

SMSgt / 1stSgt (Retired) Tim Spradlin is the director and EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist for FHF. A combat veteran of two deployments to OEF / OIF, Tim is retired from the US Air Force Reserve where he was a Security Forces first sergeant, Civil Engineer first sergeant and crash-fire-rescue. Tim is also retired from a 32 year civilian career in fire, EMS. rescue and law enforcement and is a certified Community Service Chaplain. Susan Spradlin RN is Tim’s wife, program partner and financial manager for FHF. She is a registered nurse with 30 years experience including emergency, trauma, drug and alcohol addiction and surgery. Susan is a veteran’s wife, supporting Tim’s service and keeping the home front together during two war deployments. Tim and Susan live on a small farm with four horses in Greene County. They are also members of the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders .


FINALLY HOME FARM
PO BOX 75
WILBERFORCE, OHIO 45384
937-372-2699

finallyhomefarmllc@gmail.com ​

DEDICATIONS ARE WELCOME HERE
​
at any time
​

Picture
If you have a special someone you'd like recognized here, ​or a story to tell, please ​let us know! 
​
And if haven't got a particular soldier to remember, but would like to post your own message of gratitude and honor here, we'd love to hear from you, too.
Picture

RESOURCES for VETERANS

Finally Home Farm LLC - Wilberforce, OH  A non-profit IRS 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to healing our mentally wounded warriors through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). FHF is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) as a military services provider. Our staff is trained and certified as EAGALA Equine Specialist. FHF works in cooperation with The Dayton Veterans Affairs Medical Center for the intake and referral of military veteran clients into the equine psycho-therapy treatment program. We are supported by the Greene County Career Center, using their Agricultural Research Center equine facility for private therapy sessions, year round, indoors or outdoors. We also serve police, fire and paramedic personnel who have suffered mental trauma on the streets.  Our mission bring our heroes HOME in mind, spirit and body.  
Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Articles
  • Trainer Tips
  • Vet Talk
  • Homesteading
  • Freedom's Trail
  • L'il Buckaroos
  • Calendar of Events
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Media Kit
    • ADV - Home Page
    • ADV - Articles Page
    • ADV - Calendar of Events
    • ADV - Resources
  • Archives
    • Mar/Apr 2017 e-zine >
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Home
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Horse Sense
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Articles
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Trainer Tips
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Vet Talk
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Homesteading
      • Mar/Apr 2017 Freedom's Trail
      • Mar/Apr 2017 L'il Buckaroos
    • Jan/Feb 2017 e-zine >
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Home
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Horse Sense
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Articles
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Trainer Tips
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Vet Talk
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Homesteading
      • Jan/Feb 2017 Freedom's Trail
      • Jan/Feb 2017 L'il Buckaroos
    • Jan 2016 e-zine >
      • Jan 2016 Home
      • Jan 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jan 2016 Articles
      • Jan 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jan 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jan 2016 Homesteading
      • Jan 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jan 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jan 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jan 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Jan 2016 Resources
    • Feb 2016 e-zine >
      • Feb 2016 Home
      • Feb 2016 Horse Sense
      • Feb 2016 Articles
      • Feb 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Feb 2016 Vet Talk
      • Feb 2016 Homesteading
      • Feb 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Feb 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Feb 2016 Trail Riding
      • Feb 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Feb 2016 Resources
    • Mar 2016 e-zine >
      • Mar 2016 Home
      • Mar 2016 Horse Sense
      • Mar 2016 Articles
      • Mar 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Mar 2016 Vet Talk
      • Mar 2016 Homesteading
      • Mar 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Mar 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Mar 2016 Trail Riding
      • Mar 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Mar 2016 Resources
    • Apr 2016 e-zine >
      • Apr 2016 Home
      • Apr 2016 Horse Sense
      • Apr 2016 Articles
      • Apr 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Apr 2016 Vet Talk
      • Apr 2016 Homesteading
      • Apr 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Apr 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Apr 2016 Trail Riding
      • Apr 2016 Calendar of Events
      • Apr 2016 Resources
    • May 2016 e-zine >
      • May 2016 Home >
        • Advertising - May 2016
      • May 2016 Horse Sense
      • May 2016 Articles
      • May 2016 Trainer Tips
      • May 2016 Vet Talk
      • May 2016 Homesteading
      • May 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • May 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • May 2016 Trail Riding
      • May 2016 Calendar of Events
      • May 2016 Resources
    • Jun 2016 e-zine >
      • Jun 2016 Home
      • Jun 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jun 2016 Articles
      • Jun 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jun 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jun 2016 Homesteading
      • Jun 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jun 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jun 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jun 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Jul 2016 e-zine >
      • Jul 2016 Home
      • Jul 2016 Horse Sense
      • Jul 2016 Articles
      • Jul 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Jul 2016 Vet Talk
      • Jul 2016 Homesteading
      • Jul 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Jul 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Jul 2016 Trail Riding
      • Jul 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Aug 2016 e-zine >
      • Aug 2016 Home
      • Aug 2016 Horse Sense
      • Aug 2016 Articles
      • Aug 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Aug 2016 Vet Talk
      • Aug 2016 Homesteading
      • Aug 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Aug 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Aug 2016 Trail Riding
      • Aug 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Sep 2016 e-zine >
      • Sep 2016 Home
      • Sep 2016 Horse Sense
      • Sep 2016 Articles
      • Sep 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Sep 2016 Vet Talk
      • Sep 2016 Homesteading
      • Sep 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Sep 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Sep 2016 Trail Riding
      • Sep 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Oct 2016 e-zine >
      • Oct 2016 Home
      • Oct 2016 Horse Sense
      • Oct 2016 Articles
      • Oct 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Oct 2016 Vet Talk
      • Oct 2016 Homesteading
      • Oct 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Oct 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Oct 2016 Trail Riding
      • Oct 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Nov 2016 e-zine >
      • Nov 2016 Home
      • Nov 2016 Horse Sense
      • Nov 2016 Articles
      • Nov 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Nov 2016 Vet Talk
      • Nov 2016 Homesteading
      • Nov 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Nov 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Nov 2016 Trail Riding
      • Nov 2016 Calendar of Events
    • Dec 2016 e-zine >
      • Dec 2016 Home
      • Dec 2016 Horse Sense
      • Dec 2016 Articles
      • Dec 2016 Trainer Tips
      • Dec 2016 Vet Talk
      • Dec 2016 Homesteading
      • Dec 2016 Freedom's Trail
      • Dec 2016 L'il Buckaroos
      • Dec 2016 Calendar of Events