Our Mission
Harmony IN Horses is a nonprofit organization that serves youth who have experienced trauma and who have been impacted by foster care or adoption.
Through our transformative equine-assisted learning, community mentorship, caregiver support, and immersive nature activities, youth learn life skills such as independence, responsibility, and self-esteem. We cultivate environments where life-long healing and growth flourish. Our mission is to provide an opportunity for life-long healing and growth for youth impacted by foster care and adoption through our equine-assisted activities, community mentorship, caregiver support, and nature activities. |
“We are so thankful for Harmony IN Horses! Spending time with Mojo does more for my son than any other mental health treatment we have tried. Horses have magical healing powers.”
Sandi Lerman, Parent
Founders
Board of Directors
Founding Board Members
Evelyn Guinn
Board Member |
Shon Ridenour
Board Member |
Julie Schulte
Board Member |
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Deidra Smith
Board Member |
Tony Smith
Board Member |
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The vision for Harmony IN Horses was born in a moment of profound connection with our Mustang, Modoc Sojourner (MoJo). As I sat with him, I could feel the depth of his trauma. Not long ago, he roamed free in the Modoc Forest of California, thriving within the tight-knit bonds of his family band. His world was turned upside down when he was rounded up by helicopter, processed for adoption, and transported to the Midwest. MoJo, like all wild mustangs, relied on his family for survival. Suddenly, he found himself alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, with no one to trust. The journey to earn his trust was challenging but incredibly rewarding when it finally happened.
Through my years of working with children who have endured trauma, I have seen firsthand the power of patience, acceptance, and trust. Kids in foster care experience a trauma similar to wild mustangs—they are removed from their homes, separated from what they know, and placed in new, unfamiliar environments. This upheaval impacts their nervous systems and mental health profoundly. At Harmony IN Horses, we envision a sanctuary where horses and youth, both affected by trauma, come together to heal. Here, they will learn to trust again, to communicate, to love, and to rediscover their true selves. Our mission is to nurture an environment where these resilient spirits can flourish and realize their God-given potential. Co-Founder, Lisa Condes, MS, CSW
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