Addressing Veteran Suicide Through a Unique Ride

This weekend, a group of military veterans will embark on a significant 20-mile horseback ride through Manhattan. This initiative, aimed at drawing attention to the pressing issue of veteran suicide, seeks to raise awareness in the community.

The seventh annual Trail to Zero Ride, organized by BraveHearts, a nonprofit focused on equine therapy, will take participants from Ground Zero to Times Square and through Central Park, culminating back at One World Trade Center.

Veterans like Brandon Spandet are participating to highlight the alarming statistic that around 20 veterans take their lives every day. The ride also showcases the positive impacts of equine therapy. Spandet, 33, from Illinois, shared his personal journey before setting out on the challenging eight-hour ride. “I was close to being one of those 20. It felt like a last resort for me,” he admitted. “I didn’t know where else to turn. Getting on that horse was a turning point… [Beau] was my lifeline.”

Spandet, who has also served as a first responder, reflected on how he initially discovered BraveHearts through the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2022, struggling to navigate civilian life after his military service. “Beau is an incredible listener. He’s been my support through difficult times,” he noted. “On days when I’m off, he feels it too. He’s kind of a mirror for me.”

Megan Hill McQueenney, the president and CEO of BraveHearts, emphasized the effectiveness of horses in reaching individuals at difficult moments. “Trail to Zero serves as a bridge between veterans and communities, allowing critical conversations about mental health to unfold. It reminds everyone that we can all help those in need,” she stated. “For many veterans, horses truly make a difference.”

Statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicate that about 17 veterans die by suicide each day, down from 20 since the launch of Trail to Zero in 2017. Spandet expressed the profound impact of the ride’s sense of community. “It’s about looking out for each other. Yes, it’s painful, but that shared experience means everything,” he remarked.

Fellow participant Amanda Bessards, a U.S. Navy veteran and certified therapeutic riding instructor, echoed this sentiment. “If I can make a difference for even one person, it’s valuable,” she shared. Bessards has taken part in numerous rides and noted that similar events are happening in cities across the country and even in France.

“Each of us carries our own struggles,” she explained, adding her commitment to the cause. “It’s challenging, but every bit is worth it for those veterans who feel alone.” This year’s Big Apple riders represent various branches of the military from states like Texas and Indiana, along with a Gold Star father in remembrance of his fallen child.

Hill McQueenney mentioned that the riders all participate in BraveHearts’ equine therapy program and receive proper training before the ride. The New York City Police Department’s Mounted Police Unit will ensure a safe passage through busy areas.

For veterans like Spandet, preparing for this ride has been both daunting and exhilarating. “I’ve had the privilege of riding Beau weekly for three years, and I trust him to help me carry through this challenge,” he reflected. “Taking care of him is also about self-care,” he concluded.