America’s Horse Cares - Equine Assisted Services Grant

The America’s Horse Cares Grant Program, provided by the American Quarter Horse Association, aims to enhance the welfare and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic settings. By funding educational workshops from March to September 2026, the program seeks to elevate horsemanship standards and ensure proper horse care. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, focusing on equine-assisted activities for individuals with various challenges, thereby fostering transformative experiences through education and responsible practices.

Background
The American Quarter Horse Association, located in Amarillo, Texas,
is the world’s largest equine breed registry and membership
organization.
AQHA members share a passion for the American Quarter Horse and the vast lifestyle created by the world’s most popular horse.
Whether you’re a seasoned horse show veteran, a fan of the race
track, a backyard horse enthusiast or simply someone dreaming of someday
owning a horse, AQHA membership will benefit you in countless ways.
America's Horse Cares Grant Program Guidelines
The American Quarter Horse is renowned for its capacity to offer transformative experiences to those in need, making it a cornerstone of the Equine Assisted Services (EAS) industry. With high performance standards set, the America’s Horse Cares grant program is dedicated to enhancing industry horsemanship skills while prioritizing the welfare of our horse.
By leveraging the exceptional professional horsemen and women of the horse industry, this grant program fosters educational opportunities that ensure appropriate horses working in EAS are cared for and utilized with specific performance expectations to maximize the wellbeing of both clients and horses.
Grants are awarded annually to support training workshops focused on horse selection, horse care, management, welfare, horse behavior assessment and management, and/or horse handling, training, and conditioning.
The America’s Horse Cares Equine Assisted Services (EAS) Grant Program, offered through the American Quarter Horse Foundation (AQHF), supports organizations that use American Quarter Horses in equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges. The grant program provides funding to facilitate educational workshops that improve EAS horsemanship skills, horse welfare practices, and the quality of equine-assisted services.
By focusing on education and responsible horse care, the grant program strengthens the foundational role that American Quarter Horses play in EAS and ensures our horses are treated with the respect and expertise they deserve.
Grant Purpose and Objectives
The grant program’s central goal is to enhance the use, care, and training of American Quarter Horses in therapeutic environments by funding multi-day workshops that elevate professional horsemanship standards within the EAS community. These workshops must be led by experienced instructors and open to staff and volunteers from both the hosting organization and neighboring centers.
Core focus areas of training should include:
Horse selection for EAS suitabilityHealth care, management, and overall welfare of the EAS horseBehavioral assessment and training of EAS horsesSafe, effective handling and conditioning of EAS horsesVolunteer and staff horsemanship skills development
Workshops must be held between March and September 2026, and organizations must actively promote them regionally to ensure broad participation.

Eligibility

Organizations must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code for three years or more, and must be a member of one of the following: American Hippotherapy Association, Certified Horsemanship Association, Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Inc. or the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.Organizations located in Arizona may also apply for grant funding to support client scholarships, which help offset the expenses related to program services and facility maintenance.Applicant organization must be a facility which utilizes horses to provide equine assisted activities and therapies for special-needs individuals;Funding awarded must be applied directly to the approved educational expense;See additional eligibility requirements here.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Must be a member of one of the following: American Hippotherapy Association (AHA), Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA), Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association Inc. (EAGALA) or the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.).

Ineligibility

Grant funding cannot be applied to workshops or event registrations that have already occurred.In order to fund the largest number of facilities possible, organizations which have had an approved and funded application within the preceding 24 months are not eligible for current year consideration.Travel expenses related to conference, workshop or clinic attendance are not eligible for funding. This includes hotel and transportation (flight and or auto) expenses.