Horses of Warriors

Guest post by Shelby Owens | Program Director of Horses of Warriors

Horses of Warriors: Where Healing, Honor and Community Come Together

In a world where many people carry burdens that are not always visible, there is a place in Jamestown, California, where healing can begin in the quiet presence of a horse, where veterans and first responders can find fellowship, where families can celebrate milestones, where young people can learn and grow, and where a community can come together to honor those who have served.

That place is Horses of Warriors (H.O.W.). 

Founded in 2018 by President and Founder James “Jamie” Franklin, an Army combat veteran himself, Horses of Warriors was born from a deeply personal experience. After serving his country, Jamie discovered that horses could provide something that words and traditional approaches sometimes could not.
The horses helped save his life.

That experience inspired Jamie to create a place where other veterans, first responders and their families could find connection, healing and support through horses, nature, faith and community. Today, Horses of Warriors provides free equine therapy, outdoor experiences, family activities, fellowship and community support to veterans, first responders and their direct family members. What began as one veteran’s journey has grown into a community where people can build friendships, create memories and find a place where they belong.

Healing Through the Horse

At the heart of Horses of Warriors is the belief that healing can take many forms. For some, it begins by simply sitting beside a horse. For others, it may be learning how to care for an animal, grooming a horse, riding the trails, spending time outdoors or sitting around a campfire with people who understand what it means to serve. Horses have a unique ability to meet people where they are. They do not care about someone’s rank, occupation, past mistakes or accomplishments. They simply respond to the person in front of them.

That connection is one of the foundations of Horses of Warriors’ free equine therapy program.

Veterans and first responders, along with their direct family members, are welcomed to participate in activities designed to encourage connection, confidence, responsibility and healing. These services are provided at no cost. Families are an important part of the program because service affects more than the individual who wears the uniform. It can affect spouses, children, parents and the entire family. Horses of Warriors creates opportunities for families to experience meaningful time together while building new memories.

Serving Those Who Serve

While veterans are central to the organization’s work, Horses of Warriors also recognizes the sacrifices made by first responders. Law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs and other first responders regularly face situations most people will never experience. They are often expected to remain strong while responding to emergencies, witnessing tragedy and helping others through some of life’s most difficult moments. The ranch provides a place where they can step away from those demands, spend time outdoors and connect with others.

Horses of Warriors also has all-terrain mobility wheelchairs available at no cost to disabled veterans and first responders for life, helping ensure that physical limitations do not prevent them from enjoying outdoor activities and the ranch experience.

More Than a Ranch

Horses of Warriors is not simply a place where people come to ride horses. It is a place where people come to connect, learn, compete and enjoy the Western way of life. Several times each year, the organization takes veterans and first responders on rides to Kennedy Meadows, providing opportunities to experience the mountains, enjoy nature and build friendships away from the pressures of everyday life.

During the warmer months, Horses of Warriors also hosts ranch rodeos approximately every three months at the ranch, bringing together riders, families and members of the local community for friendly competition, fellowship and a celebration of the ranching and Western lifestyle.
The ranch also hosts sorting practices, giving riders an opportunity to work with cattle, improve their horsemanship and spend time together.
Whether someone comes for equine therapy, a trail ride, a ranch rodeo, sorting practice or simply to spend time with friends, the ranch provides a place for people to connect through horses, the outdoors and the Western way of life.

Investing in the Next Generation

Horses of Warriors believes strongly in investing in young people. Every other Monday, the organization hosts a youth program sponsored by Chicken  Ranch Casino, giving young people opportunities to learn about horses, responsibility, teamwork, horsemanship and life skills. The program is open to local youth, including Native youth and children from Warrior families. Participants learn how to care for horses, take part in riding activities and develop confidence while being surrounded by positive adult role models.

The ranch has also hosted campouts for local Native youth and local Scout troops, giving young people opportunities to experience the outdoors, learn practical skills and, for Scouts, work toward their badges.

These programs give young people an opportunity to develop responsibility and leadership while creating positive connections with animals, nature and their community.

Faith and Fellowship

Faith is another important part of the Horses of Warriors community. The organization hosts Bible study every Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m., led by Pastor Jack from Country Cowboy Church. The Bible study provides an opportunity for veterans, first responders, families and community members to gather, study God’s Word and build relationships. For many, faith provides an important source of hope, purpose and strength, and Tuesday evenings offer a welcoming environment for fellowship and encouragement.

Supporting Warrior Families

Horses of Warriors’ commitment to Warrior families extends beyond the ranch and into some of life’s most meaningful moments. The organization has helped  provide vehicles and vehicle repairs to single mothers and veterans, recognizing that practical support can make a profound difference for families facing difficult circumstances.

The ranch is also available as a venue location to our Warrior families for barbecues, weddings, family reunions and memorial services at no cost.
When a Warrior family loses a loved one, Horses of Warriors is honored to stand beside them. The ranch can provide a full honor guard and horse-led procession, offering a dignified tribute that honors the service, sacrifice and legacy of those who have passed.

Horses of Warriors also offers lifetime memorial banners displayed in the arena in honor of our fallen Warriors. These banners provide a permanent place of remembrance, ensuring that the names and legacies of those who made the ultimate sacrifice remain a respected and cherished part of the Horses of Warriors family. Each banner represents a life lived, a family loved and a sacrifice that must never be forgotten. By displaying these memorials in the arena, Horses of Warriors seeks to ensure that generations to come will see their names, learn their stories and understand the profound price that has been paid in service to our country and communities. For the families of our fallen Warriors, their loved ones will always have a place of honor at Horses of Warriors.
We remember. We honor. We will never forget.

A Community That Shows Up

Horses of Warriors is proud to work alongside organizations throughout the region.

In 2025, Horses of Warriors partnered with Sonora Sunrise Rotary to help establish the Field of Honor during Veterans Day weekend. The Field of Honor provides a powerful visual reminder of the men and women who have served our nation, with each flag representing a story, a sacrifice and a family.
Horses of Warriors is honored to be rejoining Sonora Sunrise Rotary again this year for another Field of Honor. Partnerships like this demonstrate what can happen when organizations and community members come together with a shared purpose.

Coming This October: The Condit Country Music Festival & Rodeo

One of the biggest upcoming opportunities for Horses of Warriors is happening this fall.

On October 17, 2026, Horses of Warriors will be part of the Condit Country Music Festival & Rodeo at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds in Turlock, California.

The event will provide an opportunity to introduce more people to Horses of Warriors while raising support for programs serving veterans, first responders, families and youth. Every person who attends, volunteers, sponsors, donates or simply shares the event helps create opportunities for Horses of Warriors to continue providing its programs at no cost to those we serve. The rodeo is also a chance for the community to meet the people behind Horses of Warriors, learn about the organization’s work and discover ways to become part of the mission.

Come enjoy the rodeo, support a great cause and help us continue serving those who have served us.

The Road Ahead

Since 2018, Horses of Warriors has grown from one Army combat veteran’s experience with the healing power of horses into a community organization serving veterans, first responders, their families and local youth. That growth has been made possible through dedicated volunteers, generous donors, sponsors, community partners and people who believe in the importance of giving back. There are always more opportunities ahead, more veterans and first responders to serve, more young people to encourage, more families to support, more community events to participate in and more memories to create.

But through all of it, the heart of Horses of Warriors remains the same. It is about creating a place where people can connect, find encouragement, experience the healing power of horses and know that they are not alone. And it all began with a horse that helped one Army combat veteran find his way forward.
Horses of Warriors exists so others can have that same opportunity.

Get Involved

The work of Horses of Warriors is made possible through the generosity and involvement of the community. There are many ways to help, whether through volunteering, sponsorships, donations, participating in events, supporting youth programs or simply spreading the word. Follow Horses of Warriors on Facebook to stay up to date on upcoming events, programs, volunteer opportunities, community projects and ways to support the organization. Visit www.HorsesofWarriors1.org to learn more about Horses of Warriors and find out how you can get involved.

For questions or additional information, contact Program Director Shelby Owens at 209-588-3465.
Whether you give your time, resources, skills or simply help share our story, you are helping make these opportunities possible for veterans, first responders, their families and local youth.
Come be part of the Horses of Warriors family.
Horses of Warriors, where healing happens, heroes are honored, and community comes together.