Powerful Ride: Veterans Highlight Suicide Crisis

A military cemetery with white gravestones and an American flag overlay featuring a soldier silhouette

Veterans advocate for mental health awareness by riding through Manhattan, spotlighting an often neglected issue.

Story Highlights

The Trail to Zero ride commemorates the 20 veterans lost to suicide daily.
Veterans travel 20 miles through Manhattan, promoting mental health resources and equine-assisted therapy.
This marks the eighth annual ride, featuring veterans, a Gold Star Father, and mounted police units.
The ride highlights the healing power of horses and raises awareness during National Suicide Prevention Month.

Symbolic Ride Through Manhattan

The Trail to Zero ride, organized by BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding, is a poignant reminder of the 20 veterans who tragically take their own lives each day. This event, scheduled for October 11, 2025, marks its eighth year, with participants traversing a 20-mile route through Manhattan. The ride serves as both a memorial and a call to action, highlighting the need for mental health resources and the therapeutic benefits of equine-assisted therapy.

BraveHearts, founded in 2002 near Chicago, began offering equine-assisted therapy to veterans in 2007. The Trail to Zero initiative started in 2017, aiming to address the alarming statistic of veteran suicides and promote healing through horses. The ride’s visibility, passing iconic landmarks like Ground Zero and Central Park, amplifies its message during National Suicide Prevention Month.

BraveHearts’ Mission and Collaborations

BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding, led by CEO Meggan Hill-McQueeney, spearheads the Trail to Zero initiative, partnering with law enforcement and veteran organizations. The ride includes veterans, a Gold Star Father, and mounted police units from NYPD and other agencies, emphasizing collaboration and community support. The organization aims to promote equine therapy, reduce veteran suicide, and educate the public on these critical issues.

Participants in the ride, including veterans who have experienced trauma or loss, advocate for mental health awareness and peer support. The event also receives backing from organizations like the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and PATH Intl., highlighting the role of horses in healing and community engagement.

Impact and Future Prospects

The Trail to Zero ride has completed 26 rides over eight years, reaching thousands and connecting veterans to therapy resources. The initiative continues to grow, expanding to new cities and internationally, such as in Normandy, France in 2023. The program’s short-term impact includes increased public awareness and media attention, while long-term goals focus on reducing veteran suicide rates and influencing mental health policies.

As the ride gains traction, it highlights the potential for equine therapy to become a mainstream mental health intervention. The event draws attention to the ongoing need for veteran support services, advocating for improved policies and funding for mental health resources. The Trail to Zero ride stands as a testament to community solidarity and the power of alternative therapies in addressing the veteran suicide crisis.