Healing Arenas

All Items Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Retraining Tips Supporter Features Equine-Assisted Learning Inspector Spotlights Hamburger Toggle Menu Previous Post Equine Assisted Therapy with Retired Racehorses at Healing Arenas Equine Assisted Therapy with Retired Racehorses at Healing Arenas By: Healing Arenas June 16, 2025 Equine-Assisted Learning Tags:accredited aftercare, Aftercare Organization, Equine Therapy, Equine-Assisted Learning, equine-assisted therapy, Healing Arenas, Therapy, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Through our Equine-Assisted Learning series, we aim to showcase the incredible work of Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations that use retired racehorses in therapeutic programs. Each of these programs offers a unique approach to healing and supporting participants in physical, emotional, and mental well-being. This series will explore how Thoroughbred ex-racehorses are now partners in therapy, providing a safe, supportive environment where individuals can experience growth and recovery.  At Healing Arenas, our dual-purpose mission has been helping both horses and humans for 10 years. We provide retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses, who are utilized for equine assisted therapies for multiple populations in northern Nevada. Equine assisted therapies have many models. Hippotherapy, for example, provides physical therapy through adaptive riding for individuals with physical disabilities, occupational and even speech therapy.  The model through PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) are now including emotional therapy as well. Equine assisted learning (EAL) and equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP) differ in that  psychotherapy involves a licensed clinical professional who works with the team to meet psychotherapeutical goals. Equine assisted learning takes many forms that include teaching abstract concepts such as boundaries, teamwork, communication, life-skills, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and much more.  Populations for all therapies are many, some examples are veterans, at-risk youth, disabled persons, corporate teams, to mention just a few. There are a multitude of certification agencies, each with their own goal. There is no federal certifying agency, so when choosing an organization in which to be trained (i.e., EAL, EAP, etc.) the goal of  which population to serve should be met.  Therefore, when providing EAP, there should be certification for licensed mental health providers. Examples are EAGALA (eagala.org), ARCH (arenasforchange.com), PATH (pathintl.org), Natural Lifemanship (naturallifemanship.com), and many more. The retired racehorses are part of the facilitating team at Healing Arenas. The horse is an inherent being and as prey animals, are highly intuitive and responsive to nonverbal cues. Their natural, unbiased feedback can surface underlying beliefs, emotions, and unresolved trauma in a way that feels both calm and safe. Horses mirror the human’s emotional state, and due to their size can be an undeniable metaphor of a client’s struggles, as well as be the avenue of practicing different solutions to those struggles. We feel the Thoroughbred, and especially the ex-racehorse,  has a heightened state of awareness compared to other breeds, and react in real-time to different scenarios – and always the right way, at the right time. This provides immediate feedback to humans, allowing for unforgettable sessions – unlike traditional talk therapy. We’ve also seen this type of therapy be a huge success as an adjunct to traditional talk therapy, for clients who may need something different to reach the goals of their treatment plan. At Healing Arenas, we’ve been certified to provide both psychotherapy as well as equine assisted learning. Our clients currently are Stable Vets, a veteran re-adjustment group; Corporate Team Building experiences, first responder group, human trafficking victims, PTSD group, Grief and Loss group, and individuals.  The goals of each group differ, and activities with the horses align with the goals of each group. Almost all of our groups are facilitated on the ground, which means there is no riding of the horses, and no horse experience necessary. Most any population can benefit from these services. From old to young (as young as 6), people find the horses approachable, non-judgmental, unbiased and give the ability to practice new tools to deal with life.  “Horses don’t care what your ethnicity is, how successful you are, or even if you haven’t showered,” said one client. People connect with these animals and build rapport much sooner than any other kind of therapy. Here in Nevada, we’re focusing on adults, as there are multiple organizations that are dealing with youth in our area. With that in mind, we hope to continue helping the community, and will provide adult groups from local behavioral health with the services they need when the need arises. These include amputees, addictions, and victims of crime. Learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s accredited organizations: Accredited Equine-Assisted Learning Organizations Share This Article  

All Posts Press Releases Success Stories Aftercare Editorials Previous Post Remembering Viva Pentelicus This article was originally featured in the February 2024 Issue of BloodHorse Magazine in the Second Acts series. This article is the original format and text. To read the BloodHorse article or to subscribe click HERE. Remembering Viva Pentelicus: From Racetrack to Compassion and Connection – A Tale of Resilience By: Alexis Arbaugh February 13, 2024 Aftercare Editorials, Success Stories Tags:Healing Arenas, Success story, Thoroughbred Aftercare, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Thoroughbred racehorses, beyond the racetrack, have the opportunity to start the second chapter of their life. Thoroughbreds who are bred for speed and purpose deserve fulfilling post-racing careers that honor their lineage and natural drive, guiding them toward a new future while respecting their racing legacy. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organizations provide care and opportunities to our Thoroughbreds, unlocking their potential and showcasing their versatility beyond the track and ensuring a fulfilling, meaningful life beyond their racing days. Numerous off-the-track Thoroughbreds are allowed the remarkable opportunity to evolve beyond their racing origins, finding new roles as riding horses, therapy horses, etc. each one fulfilling a unique purpose in their new life. Viva Pentelicus, a 1996 gelding by Pentelicus out of Vivacious Sheila, arrived at Healing Arenas in late 2012 from Flying Y, a Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) farm in Oklahoma. Healing Arenas had partnered with TRF to launch a Second Chances program for California – a program that eventually became Healing Arenas’ own equine-assisted therapy program. After selecting Viva and a few others, Healing Arenas loaded up their trailer and headed home to their farm in California. Viva had retired to Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in 2005 after starting in 96 races at more than 20 tracks across the country over the course of 8 years, earning $347,494 from a record of 22 wins, 9 seconds, and 14 thirds. At just 15.1 hands, he was nicknamed “the little horse that could” for his immense heart and try. Steve Trizis, a partial owner of Viva during his racing career, recalls a time when they sent him to a farm for a break and relaxation between races for a few months. The farm manager called Steve back a month into Viva’s stay, pleading them to take him back to the track. Viva was restless with a strong desire to run, and the supposedly relaxing vacation turned out to be anything but. Steve and his crew picked Viva up and brought him home to the track, where Viva appeared more relaxed doing his job on the track than anywhere else. Viva’s heart carried him through his entire racing career, and he finished first, second, and second in his final three starts in the fall of 2005. He then did get a well-deserved retirement vacation at TRF’s Flying Y until he was picked out by Julie Baker of Healing Arenas. While all the horses brought home for the burgeoning Healing Arenas’ equine-assisted therapy program were special, 16-year-old Viva had a personality nobody could ignore. He was ready for a new job, and it was as if he knew when he stepped off the trailer, his purpose was connecting with people and helping them heal. “When I first saw him,” Julie remembers, “it took about 15 seconds for me to realize how much class he has and how much I wanted him. He was a classy, old-school horse. He’s a warhorse, and right after I met him, I made up my mind that he would never leave me.” In his 11 years at Healing Arenas and through a move with the program from California to Nevada, Viva assisted numerous groups through therapy: veterans, PTSD victims, first responders, foster youth, trafficking victims, and individuals and couples in counseling. Throughout these sessions, participants didn’t just receive therapy; they also acquired crucial horsemanship skills. Viva seemed to recognize when he was being called, as the distinctive call involved singing “Viva Las Vegas,” and it was as if he understood that they were singing to him. Among the many individuals impacted by Viva, one special story stands out above the rest. Viva played a significant role in helping a 17-year-old in foster care who was on the verge of aging out of the system. The teen, initially introverted and struggling to connect with people, found solace and guidance with Viva. Through their interactions, Viva helped him realize that it’s okay to reach out and connect with others. By the end of his time in the foster care system, the young individual had gained the confidence to lead his group, delegate responsibilities, and take control of his life. Viva also played a role in teaching veterinary technician students as he participated in their “live labs.” He thoroughly enjoyed the attention he received from both vet tech and therapy students, just as much as these students cherished being around him. Viva served as the poster child for Healing Arenas, and on National Agriculture Day in 2016, the then 20-year-old represented his breed at the California State Capitol in Sacramento, interacting with elected officials, staff, and the public. He served as a great example of the versatility of Thoroughbreds, proving wrong many of the misconceptions about racehorses and their ability to succeed in second careers after racing. Viva offered care and support consistently until he passed away at the age of 27 in August of 2023. A painted portrait of Viva now hangs at Healing Arenas, a gift from one of their volunteers and Viva’s biggest fan. It serves as a reminder of his enduring spirit—a symbol of hope and kindness that continues to inspire and guide those on the path to healing. Viva, the spirited Thoroughbred, went from a winner on the racetrack to the heart of equine-assisted therapy. His journey tells a story of resilience and the power of connection. Through therapy sessions and teaching moments, Viva not only offered comfort but also shared important life lessons. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has awarded accreditation to both Thoroughbred