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“It’s obvious that the current model of treatment for veterans isn’t working,” Anderson explains, pointing to high rates of suicide, unemployment, and prescription drug abuse. And this is what enables them to open up in ways traditional talk therapy often can’t. Weather, rugged terrain, physical challenges and other frustrations push veterans. After a five-day introduction to horsemanship, they set out to explore Montana’s backcountry, led by experienced guides. “While we don’t have the magic answer, we believe time, space, wilderness exposure, and equine experience can be a very powerful mixture.”ĭuring the 41-day program, participants are paired with a horse to feed, care for and learn from. “This program is unlike any other,” says Karynne Anderson, the group’s development manager. In other words, it is a true 360-degree approach to addressing the physical and mental obstacles that many veterans face. This is combined with a leadership program, required reading, physical fitness and nutrition. The equine-centered program takes a novel approach to therapy, using expedition-style horse pack trips to teach self-reliance, teamwork and perseverance. Heroes and Horses, a Montana-based nonprofit founded by former Navy SEAL Micah Fink, helps veterans regain their footing, find new purpose, and test their strength in the wild. Many veterans struggle with the transition from soldier to civilian.