Heart of Horse Sense

04/07/2026

Coming up THIS THURSDAY, April 9th! Join us for our monthly Veteran and First-Responder Mental Health and Wellness Groups!

04/03/2026

Check out our upcoming events at Heart of Horse Sense!

We have a TON of awesome events coming up this spring and summer! We can't wait to see you at the farm!

Learn more and RSVP at heartofhorsesense.org/events

04/01/2026

Artist and entrepreneur Miryam Rojas has transformed a historic 1945 building—once a roller-skating rink—into a vibrant, multi-purpose art center just steps from downtown Marshall. What began as a vision for a gallery has blossomed into a thriving community hub featuring 35+ contemporary artists, hands-on workshops (from painting to Appalachian basket weaving), live music, and plans for a cozy café. With studio spaces, classes, and ever-changing exhibits, there’s truly something for everyone to explore and enjoy.

Beginning last December, Miryam invited us to her wonderful space to exhibit the original art that would have been the showpiece of Moonlight on the Meadow, our fundraising event planned for October 2024. Since the event was cancelled due to the unexpected and devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, we’ve been searching for a permanent place to honor these amazing artists who believe in our mission. We’re forever grateful for their donations of beautiful paintings, pottery, handblown glass, quilted wall hangings, tote bags, and more! And now, they have a home at Miryam's gallery!

If you’re in the area, stop by, be inspired, and experience the magic for yourself. ✨

03/27/2026

This Sunday is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day of honor and remembrance for veterans of the Vietnam War. Our friends at Brothers and Sisters Like These - B&SLT Page are marking the day with an event at Charles George VA Medical Center, with keynote speaker Douglas Huntly, MD.

Join our friends in honoring Vietnam War Veterans this weekend!

03/25/2026

Another huge thank you to the sponsors of our second annual First Responder Mental Health and Wellness Summit! It was an amazing weekend, and we couldn't have done it without you!

Thank you to:
Blue Cross of NC
Eaton ()
Resources for Resilience ( )
Hayes Firm PLLC
Brothers and Sisters Like These - B&SLT Page
Vaya Health (.health)
Veterans Healing Farm ()

Stay tuned for a recap of the summit in our April Newsletter!

03/20/2026

A different kind of four-legged helper! Enjoy these pics of service dog, Pluto, enjoying his cake from Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery ()!

A huge thank you to all of the service dogs and handlers who came to show off their skills at our 2nd Annual First Responder Mental Health & Wellness Summit last weekend!

03/18/2026

Last month, it was with a very heavy heart that we said goodbye to two beloved four-legged members of our herd.

Scout was with Heart of Horse Sense for nearly two decades, traveling all over with us from Parelli trainings to VA hospitals and veteran events across WNC. He has had one of the biggest impacts on Heart of Horse Sense and our clients of any horse in our herd. If you've followed or worked with our organization at all, then there's a really good chance you knew Scout. His calm, gentle nature helped lay the very groundwork of our mission and brought healing and hope to so many clients and community members.

Hansel, one of our minis, won the hearts of everyone he met with his friendly, easygoing personality. Like the rest of our mini crew, he spent his days at Heart of Horse Sense bonding with members of the community and traveling all over the region to help introduce members of the public to the healing power of horses. If you found us at an event, there is a good chance you met Hansel.

Both friends will be dearly missed, and we're grateful to them for all the love and joy they gifted us with before it was time to make their journey over the rainbow bridge ❤️🐎🌈

03/17/2026

The mental health of first responders is getting special attention in western North Carolina during a three-day summit in Buncombe County.

03/14/2026

Really honored to be able to work to serve and support our community!

https://wlos.com/news/local/first-responder-mental-health-wellness-summit-buncombe-county-heart-horse-sense-therapy-resources-support-emt-police-fire-fighter?fbclid=IwVERDUAQhocJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR6uhRRIn4V-tIYBX5qYL1DlQQjuU-ZnpfP1gfIGlxqCl7tauv0X9-xvt1DhpA_aem_IH0ntZ24Pd6LGI74bY9MyQ

03/14/2026

Grateful for collaborative organizations coming together to make a differ for First Responders and Veterans!

Spent the day in Asheville today at the First Responder Mental Health & Wellness Summit hosted by Heart of Horse Sense.

The room was filled with clinicians, nonprofit leaders, first responders, veterans, and families, all trying to answer the same question:

How do we better support the people who spend their lives supporting everyone else?

Throughout the conversations, a few themes kept surfacing again and again.

The resources exist… but they’re often fragmented and hard for people to navigate.

The biggest barrier isn’t treatment, it’s the moment before someone decides to ask for help.

And many of the most powerful forms of support don’t look like traditional therapy at all.

They look like environments.

Horses.
Nature.
Writing.
Community.
People simply being around other people who understand.

What was encouraging, though, was the collaboration.

Organizations sharing ideas instead of competing.

Clinicians listening to veterans.

First responders speaking honestly about the barriers they face.

Rooms like this matter.

Because better systems don’t come from one organization.

They come from communities learning and working together.

Looking forward to tomorrow’s experiential day at the farm and continuing the conversations.