With abundant confidence in the future of Hold Your Horses, I am handing over the reins of leadership to our new Executive Director, Kenz Becco. After working with HYH for the last three years, Kenz is ready to lead the organization forward into a sustainable future.   

Eighteen years ago, I envisioned a place entirely dedicated to therapy with horses for children with physical, cognitive and sensory challenges. I wanted a team of clinicians and horse professionals and of course a herd of healthy, therapy horses. Today that vision (and more) is our reality and it came to be with a lot of beautiful support from all of you, and for me, what felt like a series of made-for-TV movies. We’ve seen them all: live action weather stories, real estate dramas, financial thrillers, horse health mysteries, shared space comedies, building maintenance horror flicks, human resource cliff hangers, and a breathtaking run of client love stories.  We survived this organic phase of development and now sit on 69 acres of possibility with amazing leadership in place to take us into the future. 

HYH is becoming a healing place for far more people than I ever imagined. I am ready to hand off leadership to Kenz as they build the vision forward with energy, passion, humility and kick ass skills.  Please join me by making a gift to the Field of Friends, which is dedicated to clinical excellence at the farm.

You will still find me at the farm, just for many less hours.  I am dedicated to supporting a successful transition and the beautiful team that makes this healing work happen every day.  It is my honor and joy to see the organization grow beyond my leadership.  As I hand over the reins I realize that letting go is the greatest gift of love.

-Janet Weisberg (she/her)

I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of Hold Your Horses. Following the incredible leadership of our Founding Director, Janet Weisberg, I’m ready to saddle up and lead our animal-assisted and nature-based services into the future.

Having had the privilege of leading several strategic initiatives with the organization over the past three years, I understand the life-changing impact of the experiential, embodied model of occupational therapy and mental health services that we provide with horses and nature. This unique setting and modality supports the mind, body, and spirit toward transformative growth and freedom, for all who want it. There is a magic to this place and work that is truly needed now more than ever.

As Executive Director, I am energized to expand access to the farm through community programming, elevate environmental stewardship into a plan that fully integrates the land into our work, and build relationships to ensure financial sustainability as we trot (sometimes gallop) toward an ambitious vision of expanded facilities to accommodate more of our award-winning clinical services.

I will also continue to prioritize a culture of belonging, which I believe is foundational to authentic connection and healing. As a non-binary and transgender person, I recognize the significance of this appointment for the LGBTQ community, which continues to experience barriers to employment and leadership opportunities. I am grateful for places like Hold Your Horses where people can truly come as they are to find meaning and purpose. We believe everyone should feel welcome in our herd, and I’m committed to making sure the farm is a place where all people feel safe to discover and thrive as their most authentic selves. 

Thank you for being part of our community and considering a gift to the Field of Friends. I am excited about the journey ahead and eager to work with all of you to further our mission. Let’s stirrup some great things together!

-Kenz Becco (they/them)