On a small farm in rural Sheridan, Indiana, you’ll find a unique non-profit organization, Harmony IN Horses, connecting wild-born Mustangs with foster youth. It’s not just equine therapy — it’s an effort to change the lives of youth and the horses they work with. Through careful mentorship and trust-building, Harmony IN Horses enables connections that transform trauma into healing and hope.

“I think one of the coolest aspects of our program is that we help youth and Mustangs who have been separated from their families heal together,” said Executive Director Lisa Condes. “They’re dealing with attachment, trauma, and other negative things that, without some type of positive impact, then they’re not going to transition to become healthy adults or cope with becoming domesticated horses.” 

At Harmony IN Horses, the wild-born Mustangs and the youth tell a parallel story. These horses are born free, then rounded up, removed from their herds, and placed in government holding facilities until they are adopted. 

The Mustangs had their natural bonds severed, and they arrived at the Condes’ farm with trust issues, trauma, and a desperate need for healing, much like the children they work with.

“These horses depend on one another for survival,” said Condes. “So if you are going to survive as a wild horse out on the range, then you need to have a very close connection with your family or your herd — and that’s very similar to humans, too.”

According to Condes, many of these kids have undergone trauma so severe that they struggle with verbalizing their feelings, and with the Mustangs, communication happens on a non-verbal level. The youth involved in the program experience better emotional regulation, increased school attendance, and improved coping mechanisms for dealing with their trauma triggers. The calming presence of the horses, coupled with the responsibility of caring for another being, allows these kids to learn patience, resilience, and how to manage their emotions.

There are no “rules” in the traditional sense at Harmony IN Horses. Instead, there is a “Bill of Rights,” which emphasizes that every being on the farm, human or animal, has the right to feel secure. This shared sense of safety is crucial for the horses and the youth to begin their healing journeys.

The organization operates with about 25 volunteers and nine certified mentors. It has the capacity to serve 20 youth per week, focusing on teenagers who are close to aging out of the foster care system. 

“The statistics for youth who have been in foster care are not very good,” said Condes. “Many mental health programs for foster children are aimed at younger kids, leaving teenagers, especially those on the cusp of adulthood, with few resources.”

Harmony IN Horses has been fortunate to receive several grants that have been instrumental in launching their program, starting with their very first grant from Boone REMC’s Operation Round Up. 

“Serving youth in Boone, Clinton, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Marion Counties, we rely on the generosity and involvement of our community to make a difference,” said Condes. “Individuals can get involved by volunteering as a mentor with the Stable Moments Program or supporting the Horse PowHER and Poder Femequina programs, which serve young women ages 13-18. No horse experience is necessary — we provide all the training needed to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the youth we serve.”

For more information on Harmony IN Horses, visit harmonyinhorses.org.