Event Raises Funds For Mustang Rescue Programs

CANTON, GA — The Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes are proud to announce its inaugural fundraiser, Save a Mustang Save a Vet, a family-friendly event centered around connecting two of America’s heroes.

This event’s goal is to raise money and awareness for mustang rescue programs and highlight programs where military veterans and mustangs work and heal together.

The festival, set for 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Chukkar Farm Polo Club in Cherokee County, will be a day of fun activities for the entire family, including a Veteran’s Day parade, various trainer-led mustang demonstrations, a mustang meet-and-greet, a petting zoo, inflatables, games, food trucks, a silent auction, and more. Additionally, this event will help educate and raise awareness of the importance of preserving our beloved mustang horse and how they can be utilized in therapeutic programs that connect them with our American Veterans.

Two mustang rescue programs are the beneficiaries of this inaugural event. The first, being the Canton-based Mustang and Wild Horse Rescue, which aims to “providing a safe haven for previously owned mustangs and wild horses that are no longer wanted by their adopters or those who have been abandoned, abused or neglected by their owners.” The second program is a Veterans Program at Texas-based Mustang Heritage Foundation (MHF), which allows veterans and mustangs to work and heal together.

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“Being a mustang owner and so passionate about these awesome horses has me wanting to do more to preserve them. We need more adopters and programs that use these mustangs because over 30,000 of them are sitting in federal corrals due to the result of the Bureau of Land Management’s efforts to control federal land overpopulation. More awareness and education about these horses and their ability to be excellent equine partners are needed,” said Kim Kota, the founder of the Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes. “During my early research on programs connecting veterans with mustang horses, I was overcome with emotion after I saw a video of a veteran and his experience with mustangs during a MHF program. Hearing the veteran say that there is ‘no better psychological medicine’ than being around these mustang horses solidified my need to get involved to help more veterans. MHF’s Veterans Program connects the veteran with a mustang horse and is extremely healing for both sides. With no local programs like this one at the MHF, I am hopeful this event will help pave the way for bringing this program to our community.”

In addition to this event, Friends of the Mustang Horse and our American Heroes is also looking for sponsors and donations for the event. No amount is too small, and all proceeds go to one of the two featured rescues. If interested in becoming a sponsor or making a donation, please contact Kim Kota at 678-446-5229.

Please visit Save a Mustang Save a Vet event on Facebook for official event details, information about our beneficiaries, and updates to this event. Any questions can be sent to kimberlykota@gmail.com.

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