Healing Through Horses: The Story of HALT and Its Incredible Impact
Charity Influencer: Lori Griffith
Imagine spending your life being passed from home to home, neglected, forgotten, and without consistent care. That was the story of Gunner, a 26-year-old Paint Quarter Horse rescued from Central Florida. His previous owner used him for endless pony rides, forcing him to walk in tight, repetitive circles day after day. When Ashley Colwell found Gunner five years ago, he was dehydrated, suffering from glass embedded in his hooves, and struggling to walk properly. It took months of care and patience to retrain him to move naturally — a true testament to resilience and hope.
Ashley Colwell with Gunner, a rescued Paint Quarter Horse at HALT (Horse Assisted Learning and Therapy.)
Ashley Colwell’s life has been shaped by two major passions: helping others and working with horses. As a Licensed Speech and Language Pathologist, she dedicated her career to children before founding HALT (Horse Assisted Learning and Therapy) in 2022. HALT’s mission is to provide educational opportunities and therapy services that promote improved function, independence, and personal growth, using the incredible connection between humans and horses. The organization offers speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy for children and adults facing trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and a range of mental health challenges.
Equine therapy has proven deeply beneficial thanks to the unique nature of horses: they are sensitive, intuitive, and nonjudgmental. Horses can pick up on emotional cues, offering emotional healing, trust-building, and confidence development in a way few other therapies can. Beyond emotional support, equine therapy aids physical healing by improving balance, coordination, muscle strength, and fine motor skills, while also reducing stress and anxiety.
From left: Francesca Kennedy, Gunner, Anya Kepchar, Sequoia, Sophia Sirianni, Kaitlin Carrington, Patricia Earle, Thunder, Ashley Rae Colwell, and Kim Cornwell at HALT, which offers equine therapy in Jupiter Farms.
HALT also offers a program specifically for veterans, which has been especially powerful for individuals dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, depression, and physical injuries. The calming presence of horses helps veterans develop emotional regulation skills that translate into everyday life. Building trust with a horse often becomes a profound first step in rebuilding trust in others, something many combat veterans struggle with. Caring for horses also gives veterans a renewed sense of purpose, routine, and tangible progress in a safe, supportive environment.
Ashley and her team also work daily with autistic children and have found equine therapy to be remarkably effective. The sensory experiences involved, the movement, textures, sounds, and smells of a horse all provide calming, therapeutic input. This environment encourages improvements in verbal and nonverbal communication, such as spontaneous speech, eye contact, and expressive language. Horses foster independence, empathy, and emotional understanding, offering autistic children a rare and powerful opportunity to connect without the pressures of traditional social interactions.
Among HALT’s beloved horses is Thunder (“Beauty in the Storm”), a playful 7–8-year-old Cremello Quarter Horse. Described by Ashley as a “big goofball,” Thunder loves people, attention, and especially treats like bananas. His blank, creamy coat makes him a favorite canvas for the Palm Beach Autism Club children, who enjoy painting on him during sessions. Incredibly, Thunder once detected an oncoming seizure in a veteran, a testament to horses’ extraordinary sensitivity to changes in human heartbeats and emotions.
Another key member of the barn is Sequoia (Powerful and Courageous Spirit), a 26-year-old Paint Quarter Horse. Sequoia is known for her leadership, alertness, and deep intuition. Gentle yet strong, she’s a comforting presence for all who visit the farm, with a particular love for molasses chews and apple treats.
HALT’s team includes an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, a Licensed Mental Health Therapist, an Equine Therapist, a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and a dedicated network of volunteers — including veterans who have completed the program and now return to give back and maintain their bonds with the horses. “Our greatest challenge is securing the resources needed to support and grow our organization,” Ashley shares. “Caring for the horses and maintaining the facility is costly, and we are committed to offering scholarships for those who cannot afford therapy services.”
If you would like to support HALT through donations or volunteering, you can contact Ashley Colwell at jupiterfarmshalt@gmail.com and visit their website at halt2help.com.
The annual Hoof It For HALT 5K will be held on September 27 at 7 am at Riverbend Park in Jupiter Farms. If you would like to attend or volunteer, more information can be found on the website.
