6-Week Horsemanship Academy
An intensive program pairing veterans and first responders with adopted mustangs and rescued horses for six transformative weeks of equine-assisted therapy, horsemanship training, and mutual healing. Completely free for qualifying participants.
Program Overview
The 6-Week Horsemanship Academy is the cornerstone of Branded Brothers' therapeutic programs. Over six weeks of intensive, hands-on work with adopted BLM mustangs and rescued horses, participants develop horsemanship skills while engaging in equine-assisted therapy under professional clinical oversight. Each horse in our program has been rescued from neglect, surrender, or adopted through the Bureau of Land Management's wild horse program — animals that deserve a second chance, paired with people who do too.
This selective program is designed for veterans and first responders who have completed the 2-Day Clinic and are ready for deeper healing. The shared journey of rehabilitation creates a uniquely powerful bond — both participant and horse learn to trust, heal, and move forward together. Small cohort sizes ensure personalized attention and a strong peer support network.
Every participant adopts their horse. When you complete the program, your matched mustang or rescue horse is yours to keep — giving both of you a permanent home and a lifelong partnership.
Duration
6 Weeks
Selectivity
Application Required
Commitment
Full Days, 5x/week
Cost
100% Free
Who Should Apply
- Veterans or active-duty service members
- Current or retired first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, corrections)
- Must have completed the 2-Day Horsemanship Clinic
- Must commit to the full 6-week program schedule (full days, 5 days/week)
- Must complete an application and interview process
- No prior equine experience required beyond the 2-Day Clinic
- Priority given to applicants with demonstrated need for intensive therapeutic support and a strong commitment to the program
- Willingness to provide a safe, long-term home for an adopted mustang or rescued horse after the program (either on their own property or through a boarding arrangement)
Application Process
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for upcoming cohorts. After submitting your application, our team will review it and schedule an interview to discuss your goals and readiness for the program.
Our Horses: Rescued, Rehabilitated & Rehomed
Every horse in the 6-Week Academy is either an adopted wild mustang from the Bureau of Land Management or a rescued horse saved from neglect, abandonment, or dangerous situations. These horses arrive at Branded Brothers needing the same things our participants do — patience, consistency, safety, and a reason to trust again.
Through the program, participants work directly in the gentling and rehabilitation of these horses. The process of earning an untouched mustang's trust or helping a neglected horse rediscover safety mirrors the participant's own healing journey. This parallel path of recovery is what makes equine-assisted therapy with rescued animals so uniquely powerful.
BLM Adopted Mustangs
Wild horses adopted through the Bureau of Land Management's program, gentled and trained by participants over the course of the academy.
Rescued & Surrendered Horses
Horses rescued from neglect, abuse, or owner surrender who are given a second chance through rehabilitation and permanent adoption into loving homes.
Lifetime Placement
Every horse that enters the program leaves with a permanent home. Graduates adopt their matched horse, ensuring no animal returns to an uncertain future.
Program Curriculum
Advanced Horsemanship
In-depth horse-handling skills, riding fundamentals, and advanced groundwork techniques tailored to working with adopted mustangs and rescued horses.
Rescue Horse Rehabilitation
Hands-on training in gentling, desensitizing, and rehabilitating rescued horses and BLM mustangs — building trust with animals that need patience and consistency.
Emotional Regulation
Equine-assisted therapy sessions where the shared experience of healing — for both participant and horse — fosters emotional processing and resilience.
Trust & Connection
Deepening the bond between participant and their matched mustang or rescue horse through consistent, calm interaction — two lives learning to trust again.
Ranch Skills & Horse Care
Practical ranch work including fencing, trail riding preparation, property maintenance, and long-term care planning for adopted equines.
Group Support
Peer cohort sessions, group reflections, and building a lasting support network of fellow veterans, first responders, and horse owners.
Clinical Oversight
All therapeutic components of the 6-Week Academy are overseen by our Mental Health Director, a licensed clinician who ensures evidence-based practices are followed throughout the program. Participants receive regular check-ins, group processing sessions, and access to additional support resources as needed.
Working with adopted mustangs and rescued horses adds a layer of depth to the therapeutic process that domestically bred horses cannot replicate. The act of rehabilitating an animal that has experienced hardship creates a mirror for the participant's own recovery — and our clinical team is trained to guide both human and equine through that process safely and effectively.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completing the 6-Week Horsemanship Academy, graduates will have:
- Comprehensive horsemanship skills and confidence working with adopted mustangs and rescued horses
- Improved emotional regulation and stress management through the mutual healing process
- A strong peer support network of fellow veterans and first responders
- Practical ranch, animal care, and equine rehabilitation skills
- A clear path forward with ongoing support resources for both participant and horse
- Permanent adoption of your matched mustang or rescue horse — a lifelong partnership forged through the program
- A rescued horse given a second chance at a safe, loving home
Ready to Apply?
Take the next step in your healing journey — and give a rescued horse a forever home. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for upcoming cohorts.