California Horse Rescue Heals Veterans and Youth Together

Horses that survived abandonment and abuse are now teaching veterans and kids how to heal from their own pain.

Coachella Valley Horse Rescue has been saving neglected horses since 2008, but co-founders Annette Garcia and Dave DiMeno discovered something remarkable along the way. The rehabilitated horses seemed to understand human trauma and offered something therapy sessions couldn't always provide.

Now the nonprofit runs specialized programs that pair healing horses with people who need healing too. Veterans dealing with PTSD work through obstacle courses alongside horses, each challenge representing life's winding road. The animals seem to sense what the veterans have been through because they've survived their own battles.

Kids ages 6 to 18 join the Pony Club for weekly sessions that blend reading, art, and basic horse care. They learn to groom, saddle, and ride while building confidence with creatures that won't judge them. For many underprivileged youth, it's the first time they've experienced unconditional acceptance.

The nonprofit held its third annual "Raising Hay" fundraiser in December at the historic J&J Ranch in La Quinta. Country music, line dancing, and barbecue brought the community together to support a cause that matters. The silent auction featured donations from local businesses eager to help.

The money raised goes directly to horse care and program scholarships. Feeding rescued horses costs serious money, especially when some arrive from as far as Colorado and Arizona. Hay, medical care, dental work, and hoof trimming add up quickly, but the nonprofit refuses to charge veterans for any programs.

The Ripple Effect

When a traumatized horse learns to trust again, it creates a chain reaction of healing. Veterans who complete the Horsinalities Boot Camp often continue with camping and fishing trips, forming bonds with others on similar journeys. Kids who start painting alongside ponies discover skills they never knew they had.

The rescue currently houses full-sized horses plus miniature horses, ponies, and mules with names like Scooter, Oreo Cookie, and Baby June Bug. Each animal has a story of survival that mirrors the humans they now help.

Volunteers keep the operation running, and the nonprofit welcomes anyone 18 or older to join the team. Whether mucking stalls or leading programs, every role matters when healing is the mission.

Garcia and her team of dedicated supporters have built something special in the desert. They started by saving horses and ended up saving people too.