The WARRIOR Pack Trip
Horses, wilderness, and fellow veterans. A backcountry program for Military, Veteran, and Emergency Responder communities.
2026 trips are complete. Now interviewing for 2027.
The W.A.R.R.I.O.R. Horse Pack Trip Program™
Experiential healing in the backcountry
The WARRIOR Pack Trip combines Operation Equine's equine therapy work with wilderness therapy. Participants travel, camp, and work with horses alongside a group of peers, and come home with new tools for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Human connection
A small cohort of fellow veterans who understand.
“[This program] not only taught me life skills, but helped me to be a better father, and a better person. I found that I am not alone and that I have a newly found family.”
M.L. Marine Veteran
Equine-assisted therapy
Groundwork, horsemanship, and riding, guided by culturally competent, licensed therapists who are also life-long equestrians.
“Everybody started to learn what made their horse good. It was the start of the relationship.”
Army Veteran
The great outdoors
Mountains, trails, starry skies, and campfire sessions, with practical skills for regulating your nervous system.
“This was honestly a life changing trip that I would recommend to any veteran who is struggling with something in their life and is ready to learn some tools to move forward.”
B.H., S.F. Air Force Veteran
At least Two trips each year
Choose your trip
Men's Trip · Wyoming
Men's WARRIOR Pack Trip
Where: NOLS Three Peaks Ranch
Length: 9 days, 8 nights
Partner: NOLS
Start with a night with the Operation Equine team near Jackson, then two nights at Three Peaks Ranch before heading into the Wind River Range or the Absarokas on horseback.
Groundwork, horsemanship, and riding skills
NOLS leadership and group dynamics
Leading through uncertainty
Communication with horses and humans
Women's Trip · Colorado
Female Veteran & Veteran Spouse Trip
Where: Music Meadows Ranch, Westcliffe
Length: 6 days
Partner: Music Meadows Ranch
Led by the Operation Equine therapeutic team with Elin Parker Ganschow, who has trained horses for over 30 years, and the Music Meadows staff.
Therapeutic work with horses, on the ground and in the saddle
Trail rides and horsemanship basics
Campfire sessions and mindfulness practice
Caring for the horses together as a team
"Working with the horses was an incredibly grounding experience, their calm presence offering a unique form of therapy and connection that I had been seeking for a long time."
Ben J., Veteran
On the trail
Moments from past trips
In their words
What participants say
"This trip changed the trajectory of my life forever. I have found my new sense of purpose... I can honestly say I have gained some new battle buddies!"
T.M., Navy Veteran
"The calming effect of the wilderness and the interactive nature of the trip allowed me to truly connect with myself and those around me."
Adam K., Army Veteran
"Forming a bond with a horse is more powerful than the average person is aware of... I have taken the things I learned and continued to work on them outside of this trip."
L.S., Navy Veteran
Apply
Interested in a 2027 trip?
Spots are limited and every participant is interviewed first. Reach out to Michelle Kaye, Executive Director, to start the conversation.
Sponsor a veteran
Every trip is donor funded
Gifts at every level put a veteran on the trail. $2,500 covers the full trip for one participant.
Bronze
$50
Snacks for a participant for the day
$100
A gas card for a veteran's travel
$500
Meals for the trip
$1,000
First night of local lodging
Silver
$2,500
The full trip for one veteran
$5,000
Two veteran participants
Gold
$10,000
Sponsors two veterans
$30,000
Full tuition and NOLS/OE program for an entire veteran cohort
