Heart of Horse Sense

11/27/2025

A very Happy Thanksgiving from our herd to yours!

This Thanksgiving, we're thankful for everything in this photo and so much more: our beloved horses, our beautiful farm, and of course, our fabulous volunteers! It's thanks to our whole herd - two and four-legged - that we can change lives.

We hope that everyone in our herd and beyond is able to spend today celebrating joy, gratitude, and love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/25/2025

At Heart of Horse Sense, we serve veterans and their families throughout the year at no cost to them - we feel they’ve already paid it forward. Help us support veterans and their families by making a donation today.

By donating through the Combined Federal Campaign (https://givecfc.org/), you can directly impact veterans’ lives. Your CFC contribution helps us sustain and grow low- or no-cost specialized mental health, wellness, and learning services for survivors of trauma through the healing connection between humans and horses.

Find Heart of Horse Sense in the CFC directory (https://cfcgiving.opm.gov/offerings), #66223, and make an impact today!

11/21/2025

Join us for our brand new Women's Veteran & First Responder mental health and wellness group on Friday, December 5th from 10:30-11:30am.

This group is dedicated to women and female-identifying veterans and first-responders, offering equine-assisted learning at no cost. Discover the healing power of the horse-human connection.

Please RSVP at heartofhorsesense.org/events!

11/19/2025

Good things really do come in small packages! Our miniature therapy horses, Hansel and Derek, brighten every visit to the farm with their huge personalities and heartwarming charm. They’ve been part of our herd for years, and it’s been pure joy watching them grow, bond, and even team up with Bruiser the mini donkey, forming our very own “Three Musketeers.”

Visitors often ask: What’s the difference between a miniature horse and a pony?
While they may look alike, minis are scaled-down versions of full-size horses, while ponies are their own sturdy, stocky breeds with centuries of history. No matter their lineage, Hansel and Derek know one thing for sure: being adorable is what they do best!

Come meet them at one of our events! Derek and Hansel are regulars at our Stable & Safe mental health & wellness programs. Join us for the next one on December 11th!

11/14/2025

Meet Bruiser, our lovable miniature donkey ambassador!

With his sunny personality and gentle spirit, Bruiser brings smiles wherever he goes! From greeting visitors at the farm to spreading joy at the Asheville VA Medical Center, he's a favorite among staff, volunteers, and the community!

Thirteen years ago, Bruiser joined our herd and quickly became part of the family, usually hanging out with his best buddies, Derek and Hansel (our miniature horses). Fun fact: Miniature donkeys come from the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. Naturally small (under 36 inches tall!), they’re smart, affectionate, and sure-footed companions who love human company.

Bruiser is also the official ambassador for our shop, Bruiser's Boutique, which sells our premium, small-batch coffee from Pisgah Coffee Roasters!

Here’s to Bruiser: a tiny donkey with a mighty heart!

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, we honor the courage, dedication, resilience, and sacrifice of those who have served, and are serving, in the U.S. Armed Forces. But our gratitude shouldn't stop at a thank-you. It's a call to action.

At Heart of Horse Sense, we serve veterans and their families throughout the year at no cost to them - we feel they’ve already paid it forward. One such program is our Veteran's Mental Health and Wellness Group, an equine-assisted learning group dedicated to veterans. This group is offered free of charge and focuses on enhancing mental health and wellness through the profound connection between horses and humans. Our next veteran's group will take place on Friday, December 12 from 12:00 PM 1:30 PM.

By donating, you can directly impact veterans’ lives. To donate, visit www.heartofhorsesense.org/donate

To learn more about our offerings for veterans and their families, visit heartofhorsesense.org/events.

11/07/2025

TODAY! At the Spring Creek Community Center!

If you can't make it this afternoon, the Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities (MARC) will be hosting another resource fair on November 21st!

Participating Organizations include: Pisgah Legal Services
Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities
Mountain Valley Resource Conservation&Development
Renew NC
Samaritan's Purse
La Esperanza
NC League of Conservation Voters
Wine to Water
Horse Sense
Therapy with the Body Electric
Appalachian Disaster Coalition
Catholic Charities
Red Cross
Lutheran Services
High Appalachian Amateur Radio Society
Community Housing Coalition
FEMA
Crossroads Treatment Center
Madison Food Coalition
North Carolina Emergency Management
Beacon Network
Vaya Health
Energy Saver NC
Legal Aid of NC
Beacon of Hope
Rural Organizing And Resilience
Rebuild Hot Springs
Marshall Relief Alliance

This Friday from 3-7 at Spring Creek Community Center will be the first of our two resource fairs! Come learn about the services and opportunities available to help us all be better prepared in these ever changing times.

From home winterization kits,emotional & mental health support,well testing,utility assistance sign up to subjects as varied as learning how to get started with HAM radio; there will be a vast array of groups offering services and free resources to assist our communities. Come enjoy a meal on us from Vaste Riviere Provisions and some tunes with neighbors and we’ll all leave a little better prepared 😊

Madison Alliance for Rebuilding Communities- MARC is very thankful for the support of our co-hosts Pisgah Legal Services in the creation of these free community offerings.

Many of the organizations participating in the fairs have been working together since the flood in varied ways to ensure a full recovery for our communities across Madison County. MARC is grateful for their continued efforts.

They say it takes a village and we have a deeply committed one with incredible support. 28 organizations will be represented at these fairs.
We hope to see you there!
Please share 😊

https://www.pisgahlegal.org/resource-fairs/

11/07/2025

Our latest staff spotlight is on Susan Penland, our incredible equine specialist!

If anyone embodies passion and purpose, it’s Susan. With over 40 years of experience with horses, Susan brings heart, skill, and compassion to every equine-assisted therapy session.

Working alongside our therapists and herd, she helps veterans, first responders, and trauma survivors find healing through the powerful connection between humans and horses.

As Susan says, “There’s something magical that happens when horses are involved with humans seeking mental health support... I’m honored to help create a safe space for that magic to happen.”

From her early days caring for horses to her studies in equine technology and animal science, Susan’s lifelong journey led her right where she’s meant to be: helping people rebuild their lives, one session at a time.

Join us in celebrating Susan and the incredible work she does to make hearts heal and spirits soar!

11/04/2025

Join us for our latest Open House this Saturday, November 8th from 11-12:30!

Come for a tour of our beautiful farm and a demonstration of equine-assisted learning with Shannon! Our open houses are free and open to the public, and we encourage folks to arrive by 11 so they don't miss anything!

10/30/2025

LAST CALL! Tomorrow is the last day to order our special Holiday Coffee Collection!

The Holiday Coffee Collection from Heart of Horse Sense includes a choice of one, two, three, or four bags of freshly roasted coffee featuring our therapy horses (ground or whole bean), with a Heart of Horse Sense blue tote bag, wrist band, a friendly plush horse, and a selection of three of our handmade greeting cards.

Pickup will be at the farm on Saturday, November 8th, during our Winter Open House and horse demonstration! No shipping is offered for the Holiday Coffee Collection but coffee can always be purchased for shipping at www.heartofhorsesense.org/coffee or at participating locations across WNC!

Visit www.heartofhorsesense.org to order your Coffee Collection Now!

10/29/2025

Thank you to all of our first responders, today and everyday!

A big thank you to all of our first responders for their unwavering dedication, service, and sacrifice. Every day, they put others first and work long hours. From every corner of our community, we are deeply grateful for the efforts of our local law enforcement officers, detention officers, telecommunicators, firefighters, and EMS.

Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed, and we are thankful for everything you do to protect and serve our region!

10/28/2025

Announcing the First Annual Veterans Info Fair on November 8th from 12-4pm! This event is brought to Asheville by the WNC Veterans Collaborative. 15+ organizations dedicated to veterans and families will be present, including Heart of Horse Sense!