Can You Make A Horse Smile? You Bet! Here's How...

For the EQUUS Foundation, it’s all about how horses move people beyond their boundaries.  The impact of horses can be as simple as building confidence or as astounding as first words and first steps. Horses benefit people in ways that no other animal can.

In December 2012, CNN reported, “For a town that needs a hero, a hero is on the way. When the Newtown community was suffering from shock and immense sorrow from the mass murder of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Magic answered the call.

“All of the horses from Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses are heroes but therapy horse Magic is the best known little hero," said Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, Magic’s trainer and owner.

Travelling from Florida to Sandy Hook, Magic comforted over 600 parents, siblings and first responders including the only survivor of the tragedy. USA Today said, “Excitement surrounding the visit with Magic seemed like the beginning of a return to normalcy... like a step forward after weeks of grieving." 

Magic visits over 35,000 adults and children each year, bringing her special love to where it is needed most - inside children’s hospitals across the country and with families and first responders who have experienced traumatic events.

Magic was one of 10 horses that were inducted into the Horse Stars Hall of Fame in February 2015, a joint program of the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation established to share the stories of amazing horses.

The EQUUS Foundation provides support to over 800 equine organizations across the United States. Donations are used to reduce the unwanted horse population, retrain horses for multiple careers, and make equine therapy available to more people.

There’s no doubt that Magic has captivated the hearts and strengthened the spirits of thousands. Great things do come in small packages.