Horses for Mental Health campaign raises $960,394

Horses for Mental Health said its fifth annual May campaign raised $960,394 for programs that use horses in mental health and personal growth services. The effort spanned 130 organizations across 36 states and six countries and extended its fundraising window through December 2026.

Why it matters: - The campaign adds money and visibility to equine-assisted programs serving youth, families, veterans, first responders and people coping with anxiety, depression, trauma and addiction. - Horses for Mental Health said many participating programs offer free or reduced-cost services, which can widen access for people who might not otherwise afford care. - Since launching in 2022, the campaign has generated more than $3 million for participating organizations.

What happened: - Horses for Mental Health said its fifth annual campaign raised $960,394 in May during Mental Health Awareness Month. - The nonprofit said the campaign was presented by founding sponsor Zoetis Equine. - The effort involved 130 vetted program partners, 837 fundraising ambassadors, 4,334 donors and 22 industry partners. - Participating organizations operated in 36 U.S. states and six countries: Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. - Horses for Mental Health said the campaign produced more than 56 million impressions across news and social media and more than 1 million video views.

The details: - Horses for Mental Health released three original short films during the campaign. - The films were “Healing with Horses: Honoring Mothers,” released over Mother’s Day weekend; “Still: Finding Safety,” an animated story about grief, abandonment and healing; and “One More Breath: Horses Helping Veterans Heal,” released on Memorial Day. - The nonprofit said the films helped elevate conversations about mental health and the role of horses in healing and personal growth. - More than 20 celebrity ambassadors, advocates and influencers promoted the campaign. - Louie TheSinger filmed with his horse Buddy and shared stories about their bond. - Eli Alger of The Faster Horses and actress Sophie Grace attended an event hosted by Miracles in Motion in Iowa. - Eli Alger performed at the event. - Horses for Mental Health and Zoetis Equine gave Sophie Grace the first Social Media Champion Award. - The nonprofit said Sophie Grace’s social advocacy and videos drew more than 1.5 million views for the campaign. - Eric Paslay, Brei Carter and Victoria Arlen also backed the effort, along with world champion equestrians, journalists, actors, athletes and artists.

Between the lines: - The campaign blends fundraising with storytelling, a sign that Horses for Mental Health is trying to grow both donations and public awareness at the same time. - The geographic spread across multiple continents suggests equine-assisted services are gaining a broader international footprint. - The emphasis on veterans, first responders and trauma recovery shows the campaign is targeting groups often linked to unmet mental health needs.

What’s next: - Donations for participating programs will continue to be accepted through December 2026. - Horses for Mental Health is directing supporters to support a program and learn more about services. - The organization is also directing followers to its social channels on Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - Horses for Mental Health turned a monthlong campaign into a seven-figure fundraising push and a wider awareness campaign for horse-based mental health services.