Horses for Harmony

501(c)3 Charitable Organization Our Mission: The mission of Horses For Harmony is to integrate disadvantaged urban youth with retired or rescued thoroughbred racehorses providing equestrian, agricultural, and environmental education. Horses For Harmony is Partnering Today’s Youth with Yesterday’s Athletes for a Brighter Tomorrow©! Horses For Harmony© is an equestrian, educational, and agricultural experience courtesy of the farm and rural environment staffed entirely by volunteers. The youth in our programs are economically and socially disadvantaged, therefore programs are offered at zero cost to the participants. The equines in our program are off-the-track thoroughbred racehorses needing an alternative career. Many of these horses have career ending injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation or behavioral problems and would end up being shipped to slaughter or the auction circuits without our intervention. In addition to our equestrian program, Horses For Harmony offers poultry production, pet grooming, veterinarian assistant, and gardening programs (container, vertical, traditional, and aquaculture). Products offered to program participants are educational classes including textbooks and testing, tutors, expert seminars to enhance learning material, family day events, and on-site competitive events. All participants are required to participate in community service events designed to enhance confidence, communication, and leadership skills. As they progress, program participants will be offered national industry (equine racetracks, veterinarian and breeding facilities, poultry shows and production facilities, agricultural farms, greenhouses, and aqua cultural facilities) field trips, scholarships, and the opportunity to participate in regional and/or national competitive events. The programs of Horses For Harmony:• Ensure the most highly urbanized children and youth in the area have access to Tennessee’s outdoor educational and recreational opportunities.• Teach applied animal and plant science to urban children and youth through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.• Ensure that children and youth will be stewards for equestrian, agricultural, and open space for generations to come.• Promote healthy lifestyles where values of respect for people, animals, and the environment are emphasized.• Impart skills and experiences that will lead to gainful employment in many equestrian and agricultural industries, relieving the burden on local economy.• Represent and increase the presence of minorities in the thoroughbred industry, not only as jockeys and trainers but as owners and responsible breeders.• Rescue, rehabilitate, and retrain registered thoroughbred horses from racetracks, feedlots, and auctions.