HorseSensing
HorseSensing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Bagdad, Kentucky operating a 9-month free residential program that combines equine-facilitated psychotherapy and Chris Irwin's Method with vocational grooming training for veterans and men in recovery from addiction. Participants are referred through Isaiah House, VA, and Drug Court programs and placed in the show horse industry upon certification.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1977
- HeadquartersBagdad, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What HorseSensing does
HorseSensing, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 270 Bagdad Road, Bagdad, Kentucky, operating a 9-month minimum residential program that combines equine-assisted therapy with vocational training in the horse industry. The organization's primary participants are veterans (OEF, OIF, GWOT) and men in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, referred primarily through Isaiah House residential treatment, VA substance abuse programs, and Drug Court. The core program is the HS Groom Elite Education, Certification and Job Placement Program, structured in three phases: Phase 1 (3 months residential with intensive training and recovery support), Phase 2 (6 months of employment with continued support), and Phase 3 (independent transitional living in an 8-unit apartment building at $400/month rent). All residential services—housing, food, therapy, education, and job training—are provided at no cost to participants, funded entirely through donations, event fundraising, and the annual Hoedown-Denim and Diamonds signature event.
HorseSensing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HorseSensing
- Legal name
- HorseSensing, Inc.
- Website
- https://horsesensing.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1977
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HorseSensing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Bagdad, Kentucky operating a 9-month free residential program that combines equine-facilitated psychotherapy and Chris Irwin's Method with vocational grooming training for veterans and men in recovery from addiction. Participants are referred through Isaiah House, VA, and Drug Court programs and placed in the show horse industry upon certification.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HorseSensing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Equine-Assisted Recovery Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Animal Production (115210), Horses and Other Equine Production (11292), Veterinary Services (541940)
- SIC
- Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)
Keywords
Where HorseSensing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bagdad
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
HorseSensing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, HorseSensing relies on tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. All donations are fully tax deductible.
- Event Fundraising: Annual and recurring fundraising events including the Hoedown-Denim and Diamonds dinner, Fall Festival, Holiday Party, and community events generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and auctions.
- Horse and Program Sponsorship: Individuals and organizations can sponsor specific horses or program expenses, providing dedicated funding for animal maintenance and operational costs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Others | Free residential program for eligible veterans and men in recovery |
| Subscription | Monthly | Phase 3 transitional housing rent |
| One time/ perpetual license | Others | Annual fundraising event tickets |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels10 records
HorseSensing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HorseSensing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a 9-month minimum residential program providing free substance abuse treatment and therapeutic job training for veterans and men in recovery. Participants learn professional horse grooming (HS Groom Elite certification) and are placed in jobs within the show horse industry, supported by Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Chris Irwin's Method.
Product overview
HorseSensing is a nonprofit organization offering a single integrated program rather than a multi-product platform. The core offering is the HS Groom Elite Education, Certification and Job Placement Program—a 9-month residential treatment and therapeutic job training program. This is supported by Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy sessions using Chris Irwin's Method, and supplemented by community events (Hoedown fundraiser, Recovery Unity Day) and merchandise sales. The program serves veterans and men in recovery from addiction, combining substance abuse treatment with horse industry job training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- HS Groom Elite Education, Certification and Job Placement Program A 9-month minimum residential program teaching veterans and men in recovery to work as professional grooms in the horse industry while providing therapeutic support. Program includes three phases: Phase 1 (3 months intensive training and recovery support), Phase 2 (6 months employment with continued support), and Phase 3 (independent living with reduced program support).
- Residential Treatment Program 9-month minimum residential program providing substance abuse treatment, therapeutic environment, and all needs free of charge for veterans and men in recovery. Residents receive housing, food, therapy, education, and job placement support.
- Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Individual psychotherapy sessions combining work with horses and Dr. Broder. Sessions address personal boundaries, self-esteem, PTSD, trauma, depression, anxiety, communication patterns, and addiction issues.
- HorseSensing Community Programs Day-long community programs including Veterans & First Responders Horse Activity Day, Isaiah House Women in Recovery, Recovery Unity Day, and HS Fall Festival for Shelby County community members.
Quantifiable outcome
- Participants complete 9-month program with professional groom certification and permanent employment in horse industry
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HorseSensing
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HorseSensing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature2 records
HorseSensing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Harper StablescoreLocal professional horse farm where HorseSensing participants complete internships during Phase 1. After approximately 2 months of training, participants intern at Harper Stables before being tested, certified as Groom Elite Grooms, and placed in jobs at show barns in Shelby County.
- Isaiah HousecorePrimary referral source for program participants. Individuals come to HorseSensing after completing Isaiah House's residential drug treatment program. Average 60 days abstinent from drugs and alcohol upon arrival. Also provides women in recovery for day programs.
- Spaulding UniversityminorProvides doctoral psychology interns who deliver weekly psychotherapy sessions to HorseSensing participants under supervision. Formerly provided interns who now serve as ongoing mental health staff.
- Bill Field (World Champion American Saddlebred Trainer)minorWorld Champion Saddlebred Horse Trainer who contributes horse skills and education instruction to program participants. Part of the visiting trainer network teaching ASB Show Horse skills.
- Phillip CrittendonminorOriginally with Helen and Charles Crabtree, a premier Kentucky horsecaretaker and horseman. In charge of teaching and guiding folks in ASB Show Horse skills and education at HorseSensing.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HorseSensing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): PATH International is the largest credentialing body for equine-assisted services in the US. While it focuses on hippotherapy and equine-assisted activities more broadly than HorseSensing's recovery-focused offering, both operate at the intersection of horses and clinical/therapeutic outcomes.
- Eagala (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Eagala is the leading global standards-setting organization for equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning, providing the certification model that HorseSensing's EFP practice sits within. It serves as the broad incumbent defining clinical and ethical frameworks that individual programs like HorseSensing operate within.
Direct peers
- Stable Recovery for Vets: Stable Recovery for Vets combines equine therapy with substance abuse recovery services specifically for veterans, directly mirroring HorseSensing's core thesis of using horses as part of addiction treatment.
- Horses for Heroes USA: Horses for Heroes USA is a veteran-focused therapeutic horsemanship network providing equine activities and mental health support. Comparable service population and equine methodology to HorseSensing.
- BraveHearts Therapeutic Horsemanship: BraveHearts is a nonprofit operating equine-assisted therapy programs with a significant veteran services focus, sharing HorseSensing's target population and therapy-through-horses model.
- Heroes and Horses: Heroes and Horses runs a wilderness-plus-equine model targeted at combat veterans transitioning out of service. It overlaps with HorseSensing on veteran, trauma, and equine-assisted programming.
Others
- Warrior Outreach Foundation: Warrior Outreach is a Kentucky-based veteran peer-support nonprofit serving similar populations with complementary (non-equine) services, making it a referral and grant peer in the regional veteran-services ecosystem.
- Kentucky Horse Council: The Kentucky Horse Council is a statewide equine-industry trade and advocacy group. Relevant as a regional infrastructure/ecosystem partner that interfaces with HorseSensing on industry, workforce, and policy matters.
Emerging players
- Bright Spot Therapy Dogs: While animal-assisted therapy rather than equine-specific, Bright Spot covers the broader animal-assisted intervention space serving veterans and recovery communities, relevant for grant and donor-pool overlap with HorseSensing.
- New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program: New Vocations retrains and rehomes retired Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. While focused on equine welfare and second careers rather than therapy, it shares HorseSensing's horse-industry labor and education network.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HorseSensing social profiles
Digital presenceHorseSensing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HorseSensing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
HorseSensing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HorseSensing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HorseSensing
What does HorseSensing do?
HorseSensing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a 9-month minimum residential program providing free substance abuse treatment and therapeutic job training for veterans and men in recovery. Participants learn professional horse grooming (HS Groom Elite certification) and are placed in jobs within the show horse industry, supported by Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Chris Irwin's Method.
Is HorseSensing a public or private company?
HorseSensing is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was HorseSensing founded?
HorseSensing was founded in 1977. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HorseSensing based?
HorseSensing is headquartered in Bagdad, United States, in the North America region.
How does HorseSensing make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising and horse and Program Sponsorship.
Who are HorseSensing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and Eagala (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association). Direct peers are Stable Recovery for Vets, Horses for Heroes USA, BraveHearts Therapeutic Horsemanship and Heroes and Horses. Others are Warrior Outreach Foundation and Kentucky Horse Council. Emerging players are Bright Spot Therapy Dogs and New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.
Does HorseSensing have an API?
No public API is recorded for HorseSensing.
What industry is HorseSensing in?
HorseSensing's product category is Equine-Assisted Recovery Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAEAGAF, Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs, with a secondary code of AFAEAGAG, Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations. Its NAICS code is 115210 and its SIC code is 200.