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CO T H . CO M | W I N T E R 2 0 2 1   79 and the animals that live there. During the early pandemic, when in- person visits to Equest were suspended, the family gathered around their computer to watch the feed from a webcam set up in the facility's paddocks. "You could just watch the horses interact," says Angela. "I don't know how many times we logged on just to watch the horses and hear the birds and see the stables." As pandemic restrictions eased, the family resumed their once weekly, four-hour visits. Emily enjoys carriage driving and therapeutic riding while Angela volunteers as a sidewalker in the therapeutic riding program. Her husband Jason has bonded with a horse Angela describes as "one of the grumpiest in the barn." "He's like, 'He's fine with me—I get him; he gets me,' " Angela says with a laugh. "To see someone that's very serious and has had the experiences and the unspoken struggles he has be so gentle—it's just a beautiful thing to see my husband slow down, open up and have a bond with these horses. It's a great, great thing." For Emily, partnering with a horse has given her confidence and a way of moving through the world in which her illness falls away. Her favorite mount is Henry, a chestnut Quarter Horse gelding who has been at Equest since 2008. Angela's voice cracks as she explains the impact Equest's programs have had on her daughter. "To be able to see her leave the world where she is surrounded by so many It's not just about the solider, but about the entire unit—the family, the children. It's a beautiful program." —ANGELA ESCAMILLA insecurities and go to Equest, where she gets out of the car, her head is high, and she is very confident …" Angela says, pausing before she continues. "She tells me, 'I don't have to talk loud—the horse knows I'm sad today,' or, 'Henry knows when my legs aren't working, and he moves a little slower.' " In 2019, Emily's epilepsy raged out of control, and she experienced near- constant seizures. Her parents and counselors had reason to fear Emily might take her own life. "Then one day she told her pediatric counselor, 'The only reason why I did not go to heaven was because of my family at Equest,' " says Angela. "The horses saw me in my wheelchair; they knew I was hurting. Miss Amy [Causey, Emily's instructor] got the ponies out and let me play with them as long as I wanted. They cared because that's my family. "My daughter is alive because of Equest," says Angela. "I'm still married to my husband, and our marriage is thriving because of Equest. I can't say enough about this organization because they truly care. It's not just about the solider, but about the entire unit—the family, the children. It's a beautiful program." As full operations resume in a post- COVID-19 world, Cutler is hoping to once again take veterans and their Equest mounts to compete in the Heroes on Horses class at the National Snaffle Bit Association World Show held in Oklahoma, as well as classes at the Appaloosa World Show and the Chisholm Challenge at the Fort Worth Livestock Show, both in Texas. Fundraising and grant monies help defray the cost of participation; at the NSBA World Show, trainers donate time to coach veterans before they enter the show ring while special events keep veterans in the spotlight. "These are pretty big competitions that we are able to go to," says Cutler. "Everybody has that competitive edge, and if you're a veteran, it gives an outlet for that need to continue to excel at something and be part of a bigger thing." But for many participants, being part of the Equest family is more than enough. "I have seen soldiers show up there; they don't even talk to anybody; they walk in, pat the horses, and then they leave," says Angela. "To see them have that connection with these horses and have this place where they get that support from an animal—that says a lot about Equest. There are resources, and there are people willing to help." Learn more about Equest's Hooves for Heroes at equest.org /veterans.

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