Saddled with Purpose: A Day of Horseback Riding with Veterans & Their Families
To all the veterans, service members, and families reading this, thank you for your dedication and the many ways you serve our country and our communities. You are always welcome here with the Sierra Club Military Outdoors.
This year, on Earth Day weekend—Saturday, April 25th, 2026—the Sierra Club Military Outdoors invited veterans, service members, and their families for a special event. “Ride with Sierra Club and Friends,” the day began with morning gatherings at FDR State Park’s Roosevelt Stables. After introductions, participants engaged in scheduled horseback riding, some veterans hiked, and we shared meals. Despite an unexpected rainstorm at midday on a mountain, the guides adapted, and we continued activities throughout the afternoon.
We hosted this event in partnership with two amazing veteran service organizations, The Vet Space and Higher Ground, and made it possible through sponsorship from the PenFed Foundation. Over 45 participants gathered with us at the event location, beginning the day together before breaking into groups for our planned activities.
"It was truly an honor to support the great work of Sierra Club Military Outdoors! Our Foundation believes that movement is medicine, whether it's on foot, on a bike, or on horseback! We can never do enough for our Veterans and military families, but we were grateful for the opportunity to play a small role in this wonderful outing. Thank you for all you do! "
- Andrea McCarren, President, PenFed Foundation
That day, we introduced the new people who joined us to the Sierra Club, including children, the youngest members of our society. We welcomed disabled veterans and veterans with service animals. Our Military Outdoors team and partners worked with an outfitter that offered adaptive horseback riding. This adaptive gear included specialized saddles, mounting blocks, and guided assistance for those with mobility challenges and amputees. Staff and volunteers at Roosevelt Stables came prepared to support families and participants of all abilities, ensuring a welcoming environment for everyone.
We made on-the-spot adjustments to ensure all families, regardless of need, felt included and supported. This event highlighted the vital need for programs like ours to help people get outside.
Experienced riders joined us, as did individuals and little ones who rode a horse for the first time with Military Outdoors. A couple of us even overcame our fear of horses that day. We saw new friendships blossom and old friends reconnect. Families left with exciting stories to share. I even learned what a Belgian Draught was—not a wonderful beer from Belgium, but a massive, majestic horse that weighs about a ton and a half.
It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and events like our “Ride with Sierra Club and Friends” remind me of why I’ve been doing this work for more than a decade. There is healing power in nature.
Time in nature and human connection can compliment those necessary components of wellness. Even if you cannot join one of our SCMO outings or events right now, you and your family can still enjoy the outdoors and support your well-being together. Try simple activities like taking a short walk in a local park, spending time sitting quietly in your backyard or on a bench, organizing a family picnic, or gardening together. Watching the birds, listening to the sounds around you, or sharing observations of the changing seasons can help everyone feel more grounded and connected. These small steps can make a big difference and are available to all of us, wherever we live.
Let’s look at some data around veterans, their families, and mental health. First, some troubling statistics around veterans' mental health.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults lives with a mental illness (46.6 million in 2017). More than 1.7 million veterans received treatment in a VA mental health specialty program in fiscal year 2018.
Mental health issues can affect every aspect of a veteran’s life. In a 2022 study, 38% of veterans had a code on their medical record for a common mental health disorder. This number does not include undiagnosed mental health conditions, which means the actual number is likely much higher.
The latest VA figures, from 2021, show there were roughly 17 veteran suicides per day, or 6,392 a year; veterans commit suicide at a 57% higher rate than nonveteran adults.
The latest data says that far too many military and veteran families are struggling with their mental health as well.
A major survey from the Air & Space Forces Association found that more than half of military spouses report symptoms of anxiety or depression, with 14% experiencing severe depression, a rate much higher than that of civilians.
A 2024 HealthyWomen.org study showed nearly 1 in 8 military spouses screened positive for major depressive episodes, and 1 in 6 reported symptoms of generalized anxiety. These rates are nearly double the national average.
Mental health awareness and targeted support are essential for children in military families. The challenges of military life can impact their emotional well-being—leading to stress, anxiety, and isolation.
Research from 2019 indicates that deployment, relocation, and other military family dynamics often require psychological support. Support programs from civilian pediatric care facilities or military bases can benefit children of all ages.
Over the past decade, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of loneliness and feelings of “hopelessness” among children and teens have risen, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Programs like The Vet Space, Higher Ground, and the Sierra Club Military Outdoors offer more than a chance to get outside for an afternoon. They offer an opportunity to build a community with individuals who share a sense of service. This idea of service is fostered during a service member’s enlistment. This sense of service continues for many veterans long after they’ve left the Armed Forces.
“Working with Sierra Club Military Outdoors and Higher Ground gave women veterans in The Vet Space a chance to connect, heal, and take a break from daily challenges. This event highlights how coming together for veteran wellness can lead to lasting, meaningful experiences. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, we are especially thankful for partnerships that make outdoor wellness more accessible. We look forward to working together to create more experiences that support the mental, emotional, and social well-being of women veterans.”
- Vedia Barnett, Founder, The Vet Space
My role is to connect veterans with the outdoors to find healing in nature; if they happen to befriend a 3,000-lb horse in the process, my work is done. If you or someone you know would benefit from connecting with these programs or needs support, I encourage you to reach out and take the first step toward healing.
If you’re facing a mental health crisis, please seek help right away. If you or someone you know is struggling, please take action now. Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 (press 1) or text 838255 for immediate, caring, and confidential support.
To join us for an upcoming Sierra Club Military Outdoors event, visit sierraclub.org/military-outdoors, check out the websites of our local Sierra Club Chapters for a list of activities and registration details, or contact us by email at: military.outdoors@sierraclub.org.
We would love for you and your family to join us on our next adventure and experience the transformative power of nature and community.
