HORSELINK
People Helping Horses ~ Horses Helping People
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
As more care providers recognize the value of equine-assisted programs; as more horses are in need of safe, stimulating alternatives at the end of their competitive days; as more veterans and others facing major life challenges are referred to us, we need to be there for them. 70% of U.S. adults (estimated)–or about 223 million people–have experienced some type of trauma, including 1 in 3 veterans. (Source: PTSD United) 14 Million cancer survivors in the U.S., many of whom have trouble adjusting to a new normal. (Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) HorseLink supports trauma survivors and cancer survivors by providing equine-assisted learning and therapy programs, so they can thrive and be productive in their work, relationships, and communities. We also provide loving homes and continued purpose for horses who are often not wanted and at risk when they can long longer perform at athletes.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Horse Retirement
We provide a safe and loving home to competition horses retired due to age or injury. We emphasize excellent care and comfort for these horses. With us they gain a renewed sense of purpose and work. Competition horses are accustomed to regular activity and human interaction, and thus are well suited for limited continuation of these activities for their physical and emotional health.
HorseLink for Veterans
SUPPORT * CONNECTION * COMMUNITY
Coming home can be a difficult adjustment for veterans and their families. This program is designed to ease this transition and help veterans adjust by establishing a trusting partnership and bond between them and our horses. HorseLink for Veterans provides a safe space, surrounded by nature, where veterans partner in exercises with horses in ways which can decrease stress, improve communication, and strengthen relationships. The horses provide gentle feedback with total acceptance of the people they work with.
Horse Power: Building Emotional Resilience Through the Way of the Horse
This equine-assisted learning program is for anyone who dealing with a significant life challenge or transition. It is designed to help those recovering from trauma or a serious illness, or those experiencing grief or anxiety to engage with the present moment and develop their capacity to weather these life-altering events.
If you are ready to reclaim joy and peace in your life, you are invited to this program to work with the horses who gracefully share with people lessons in mindfulness, courage, and empowerment. Horse Power is facilitated by experienced mental health professionals specializing in Equine-Assisted Learning and provides a support network through a compassionate and committed community.
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don’t have the right technology to collect and aggregate feedback efficiently, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
HORSELINK
Board of directorsas of 11/16/2023
Theresa Pugh, MD
Central Family Practice
Term: 2016 - 2023
Michael Kryzak
Dripping Springs ISD
Shannon Taylor
Talula Mesa Retreat
Christina Crean
Tito's Handmade Vodka
Caitlin MacRae
Adobe
Betty Layton
Jen Pera
Pera Media
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 06/01/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.