The Kentucky Horse Park is buzzing with more than one activity this weekend. That included veterans on horseback who rode to bring awareness about suicide among their fellow servicemen and women.
At midday Friday, following a short lunch break, the group of eight veterans headed back out on their 20-mile trek around the horse park property. The Trail to Zero ride recognizes the number of U.S. veterans who take their own lives each day. Arkansas’ Clarence Harper served 30 years in the marines. “20 veterans a day, every day, commit suicide. That’s huge. Men and women that I served with and all the other veterans served with. We hate to see that,” said Harper.
Harper said, “there’s nothing nice about war,” adding it can create a feeling of guilt and questions about surviving while a friend didn’t.
The event is sponsored by BraveHearts, an equine rehabilitation program for veterans. Founder Meggan Hill-McQueeney said horses can help handlers slow down, become more mindful, and breed confidence. “A lot of veterans can attest to the fact of how horses have helped change and often times save their lives, bring them out of depression, reduce anxieties. So, that’s what we’re doing and the concept is we want to keep riding until we get the number down to zero,” said Hill-McQueeney.
Similar events are planned this fall in Indiana and New York City.
Here's more with BraveHearts Founder Meggan Hill-McQueeney
