Horses and Wellness: Patricia Kelly on Equine Therapy

Explore the powerful connections between humans and horses in a talk led by Patricia E. Kelly, President and CEO of Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. Drawing on her work in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Kelly shares how horses support mental wellness, emotional growth, and self-awareness. She will highlight the impact of their programs that serve urban youth and families through riding care and therapy. Inspired by Black Cowboys in America: Photographs by Ron Tarver and Robert Peterson: Journeys.

Learn about the recently opened Mary Fields Horse and Heritage Museum, located within the Ebony Horsewomen Equestrian & Therapeutic Center. It creates a space for education and celebration of African-American horsemen and women. Through the story of Mary Fields (1832–1914), known as “Stagecoach Mary,” the first African-American female Star Route U.S. Postal Service carrier, the museum preserves and shares an often-overlooked history echoed in the works of Tarver and Peterson, while centering perspectives from women and communities of color.

Patricia E. Kelly is President and CEO of Ebony Horsewomen, Inc., a Hartford-based organization she founded in 1984. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and lifelong cowgirl, she leads nationally recognized programs in equine-assisted therapy and education. Ebony Horsewomen centers culturally competent care, providing youth and families with access to horseback riding, wellness programs, and certification training, while advancing awareness of Black equestrian history and community healing.

Support provided by Art Bridges.