Horses take center stage at Equus Effect fundraiser

AMENIA — The audience at the 12th annual Equus Effect event Saturday, Oct. 3, at Highlands Hudson Valley Equestrian Center at Keane Stud watched in awe as horses and their riders circled the ring with precision and grace.

The demonstrations highlighted the partnership between horses and people while showcasing The Equus Effect, a Sharon-based nonprofit whose mission is to help veterans, first responders and their families build healthy relationships through guided engagement with horses.

This year’s event took a new twist. After weeks of soaking rain at The Equus Effect’s farm in Sharon, organizers moved the gathering to the equestrian center’s enclosed barn.

In addition to demonstrating how the organization’s horses work with clients, this year’s presentation explored the roles horses have played throughout history.

Founder Jane Strong described how their uses and physical characteristics have changed over time.

First came an example of an early warhorse. As Pasquale, a horse, pranced around the ring, Strong explained how those movements served a practical purpose in battle.
As the centuries passed, thoroughbreds were introduced, prized for their speed and athleticism.

“They could go fast, forward and up,” she said as Olaf, a horse, charmed the audience. “They were more lean and muscular.”

Horse and rider demonstrations showcased equine history at The Equus Effect’s fundraiser.Ruth Epstein

Lastly, Callahan, one of the horses, demonstrated the work of a Western ranch horse.
“Their saddle and purpose were different,” Strong said. “They would work on ranches and perform such duties as tracking cows.”

Following the horse show, a video featured clients describing how The Equus Effect had helped them.

Veterans who returned from war struggling to express their emotions spoke about learning to communicate their feelings. Emergency medical workers described finding ways to talk about the traumatic incidents they had encountered.

One war veteran said in the film that he found the horses responding to his energy and emotions.

“I felt a wave of relief come over me. I started to cry for the first time in many years.”

Strong, who has worked with thousands of clients since The Equus Effect’s founding in 2012, said, “They feel safe with horses. The horses save lives; they change lives.”

The event ended with an appeal for donations to support the organization’s work. One donor agreed to contribute $64,000 to sponsorgroups of veterans and first responders through the program over the coming year.

Other donations supported a couple’s retreat at $6,000; a group for Blue and Gold Star mothers at $6,000; a horse care fund at $1,000; blankets and barn supplies at $500; and carrots, apples and molasses cookies at $250.