2025-03-28T15:16:57Z 2024-12-31 990 2024-01-01 932863275 HEALING HEROES THROUGH HORSEMANSHIP INCORPORATED HEAL 8058687634 2550 TIENDA PLACE ARROYO GRANDE CA 93420 Simon Marrier d'Unienville Executive Director 8058687634 2025-03-25 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z X X Simon Marrier d'Unienville PO Box 127 Nipomo CA 93444 316506 false X https://heroeshorses.org/ X 2023 CA Empowering Veterans and First Responders on Californias central coast through equine-assisted programs and vocational horsemanship training, while actively supporting the retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses. 7 7 0 14 0 0 55054 219557 0 44834 0 0 0 27891 55054 292282 0 6356 0 0 0 0 0 1000 19328 29328 206646 29328 214002 25726 78280 66326 137512 0 0 66326 137512 X Our mission is to empower Veterans, First Responders, and other at-risk groups through vocational horsemanship training, equine-assisted programs, peer-to-peer support, and vocational rehabilitation initiatives. We are dedicated to transforming lives through the power of horsemanship, while also providing re-training and re-homing opportunities for retired racehorses and other horses in transition. false false 130103 5206 164292 New Horizons is our horse retraining and rehoming program, which provides retired racehorses and other horses in transition with a second chance. In 2024, we supported, trained, and cared for 25 horses, successfully adopting out 14 and fostering 2 that later transitioned to permanent homes. These horses serve as the foundation of our equine-assisted programs, playing a vital role in our Veterans vocational rehabilitation training and behavioral wellness retreats. Veterans in our vocational program worked hands-on with the horses, gaining experience in horsemanship, care, and groundwork. Additionally, these horses facilitated our two-day equine-assisted behavioral wellness retreats, helping Veterans and first responders develop resilience and emotional regulation skills. Adoption fees generated $39,000 in revenue, and restricted grants totaling $38,040 helped sustain program operations, including veterinary care, farrier services, and training. 53682 1151 98922 Elite Vocations is a vocational rehabilitation program providing hands-on training in horsemanship for at-risk Veterans. In 2024, 17 Veterans participated in the program, with 10 successfully completing their training, achieving a 59% graduation rate. Participants engaged in structured education focused on horse care, handling, and groundwork, equipping them with practical skills for careers in equine industries. Through guided instruction and mentorship, Veterans worked directly with horses from our New Horizons program, contributing to their retraining and rehoming. This hands-on approach not only benefited the horses but also helped Veterans develop confidence, discipline, and career readiness. Restricted grants totaling $49,900 helped fund training materials, facility costs, and instruction. 11709 13504 Healing Heroes is an equine-assisted behavioral wellness program designed to support Veterans and first responders. Launched in late 2023, the program hosted two retreats in 2024, serving 15 participants. These two-day retreats provided structured equine-assisted activities focused on emotional regulation, resilience, and personal empowerment. Participants engaged in groundwork exercises with horses, leveraging the animals ability to mirror human emotions as a tool for self-awareness and healing. Restricted grants totaling $5,834 helped fund program costs, including facility use, horse care, and facilitation expenses. 195494 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false true 0 0 true 0 false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false X 7 7 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA X X Simon d'Unienville 8058687634 PO Box 127 Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship Nipomo CA 93444 X Andrew Dibbern President 4.00 X X 0 0 0 Chad Huck Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Joseph Halsell Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 Mary Ann Evans Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Yvonne Martin Board Member 4.00 X 0 0 0 Rashun Drayton Board Member 0.50 X 0 0 0 Dan Macal Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Simon Marrier d'Unienville Executive Director 40.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 false false false 0 0 0 19275 0 0 200282 52233 219557 Horse Adoption Fees 812910 39000 39000 Healing Heroes Retreats 624190 5834 5834 44834 52115 19275 24224 27891 0 292282 44834 0 0 X 6356 6356 1000 1000 78944 78944 11729 1147 582 10000 4155 4155 2552 569 668 1315 28623 28623 0 2290 2290 1624 1624 Horse Care and Related Expenses 36387 36387 0 Program Meals, Equipment & Supplies 15367 15367 0 Healing Heroes Retreat Expenses 6079 6079 Program Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance 8157 8157 10739 3401 325 7013 214002 188944 5730 19328 24826 25307 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 124268 12064 41500 112205 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 66326 137512 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 24826 25307 0 0 41500 112205 66326 137512 66326 137512 78280 0 12445 0 0 0 X false false false false X 0 0 0 0 55054 316506 371560 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 55054 316506 371560 88221 283339 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 371560 0 X 0.76260 0.78260 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 26535 0 111 26424 4000 57500 8271 53229 700 35533 3682 32551 112204 Annual Gala 71390 19275 52115 0 0 2111 12760 248 9105 0 0 71390 19275 52115 0 0 2111 12760 248 9105 24224 27891 Equus Horsemanship LLC Wholly owned by our Executive Director, Simon Marrier d'Unienville 8600 Payment received in March 2024 from our 2023 fiscal sponsor for program facilitation fees and expense reimbursements owed to Equus Horsemanship LLC under the fiscal sponsorship arrangement false Equus Horsemanship LLC Wholly owned by our Executive Director, Simon Marrier d'Unienville 31950 Independent contractor services for routine daily care of 610 program horses, including feeding, cleaning, turnouts, and first aid. false Equus Horsemanship LLC Wholly owned by our Executive Director, Simon Marrier d'Unienville 14081 Payment for program facilitation fees for training 5 Veteran graduates in our Elite Vocations program. Training involved over 210 hours per participant over a 10+ week period, delivered on a rolling enrollment basis between May and November 2024. false Equus Horsemanship LLC Wholly owned by our Executive Director, Simon Marrier d'Unienville 1500 Payment for program facilitation fees for the Healing Heroes August 2024 retreat for the SLO Sheriff, facilitated by Simon & Yvette over a two-day event. false Part IV, lines 1 to 4 The entries reported on Schedule L Part IV represent aggregate payments made during the tax year to Equus Horsemanship LLC, which is wholly owned by our Executive Director, Simon Dunienville. These payments include independent contractor services for the daily care of program horses (routine feeding, cleaning, turnouts, and first aid) and program facilitation fees for our Veterans programs. Although no individual transaction exceeded the $10,000 threshold, the aggregate payments for Equus exceeded the threshold, thereby requiring disclosure. Detailed transaction-level documentation is maintained and available upon request. No revenue-sharing arrangements exist for these transactions. X 1 5833 Kelley Blue Book valuation 0 false Explanation for Amended Return Explanation for Amended Return Correction of Part IX Due to a technical glitch in the Simple 990 software, many of our expense entries in Part IX were not transmitted correctly, resulting in an erroneously low total expense of $80,266 on the initially filed return. We immediately detected this issue upon review (a copy of the initial filing was emailed to us) and have re-entered all expense amounts as originally recorded in our internal financial statements. This amended return now accurately reflects our full functional expenses. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we ensure complete accuracy and transparency. Part III, Line 4d Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. operates only three program services: New Horizons (Horse Retraining and Rehoming Program), Elite Vocations (Vocational Rehabilitation Program for At-Risk Veterans), and Healing Heroes (Equine-Assisted Behavioral Wellness Retreats). No additional program services were conducted in 2024. Part IX, Line 11g Program-Style Organization Structure: Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship (HHTH) operates as a program-based organization and does not maintain a constant staff overhead. Instead of traditional salaried employees, HHTH engages 1099 contractors for program facilitation, including horse trainers and veteran program facilitators. These contractors are paid on a project basisspecifically for each ride and per veteran graduatewhich better aligns with our budget. This model allows us to be more flexible and efficient, particularly during periods when program demand is lower (e.g., winter months), and helps us avoid overhead costs associated with salaried employees. By compensating contractors based on the services provided, we ensure that program expenses remain directly tied to the services provided and are matched to the available funding, such as grant funding. This approach allows us to align our staffing levels with program needs, avoiding unnecessary administrative overhead and ensuring that funding is focused on delivering program services. Breakdown of 1099 Expenses: Line 11e (Professional Fundraising): 1) Minnie Katherine Boone: $1,000.00 Payment for professional grant writing services. Line 11g (Other Services): 2) Equus Horsemanship LLC: $56,131 Payments for program facilitation services across three programs (equine care & management, Veteran vocational training and equine-assisted retreats). 3) Sofia Boss: $11,800 Payments for horse training (under saddle) on a per ride basis. 4) Justin Trammell: $6,104 Payments for handyman services related to facility infrastructure (building classroom and other facility setup). 5) Broken Shoe Farrier: $4,910 Payments for shoeing horses. Part VI, Line 11b Before filing Form 990, a draft copy is prepared by the organizations tax preparer and reviewed by the Executive Director and the Board Treasurer. The draft is then circulated to all members of the Board of Directors for their review and input. Board members are given an opportunity to ask questions, request clarifications, and suggest any necessary revisions. After incorporating any feedback, the final version of Form 990 is approved by the Board before submission to the IRS. The completed form remains available for reference by the Board and key officers. Part VI, Line 12c Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. requires all officers, directors, trustees, and key employees to complete an annual conflict of interest disclosure form. The Board of Directors reviews any disclosed conflicts to ensure transparency and compliance. While founders and key personnel are involved in program operations, they do not serve as voting board members. Any decisions involving a potential conflict are documented, and final approval is made by the voting members of the Board to maintain accountability and adherence to the organizations conflict of interest policy. Part VI, Line 15a Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. does not compensate officers, directors, or trustees. All individuals serving in these roles do so on a voluntary basis, and no salaries or wages are paid for these positions. Due to the program-based nature of the organization, we do not have employees. Instead, we engage independent contractors (1099) with specialized expertise in program facilitation, equine training, and instruction. This approach allows us to maximize donor dollars for program impact rather than administrative overhead, ensuring that resources directly benefit the Veterans and horses we serve. Our leadership team, including our founders and board members, is deeply involved in day-to-day operations on a voluntary basis. This structure allows us to remain lean and mission-driven while maintaining long-term financial sustainability. Rather than funding administrative salaries, we direct financial resources toward mission-critical services. As the organization grows, we continuously evaluate our operational needs. When the scope of our programs and financial capacity justify a shift, we will transition to employing key personnel while maintaining our commitment to financial sustainability and maximizing program impact. The Board of Directors reviews and approves all contractor agreements to ensure payments align with fair market rates and are properly documented. Part VI, Line 15b See response in 15a. Part VI, Line 19 Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. makes its governing documents, Conflict of Interest Policy, and financial statements available to the public as follows: Governing Documents & Conflict of Interest Policy: A summary of the organizations Conflict of Interest Policy is available on our website under the Transparency & Governance section. Our website also states that full copies of governing documents and policies are available upon request by contacting the organization. Financial Statements: The organizations IRS Form 990 is available on Candid/GuideStar, and our website provides a direct link for public access. The Form 990 is also available upon request via email. Part VI, Line 1a 1. Governance - Conflict of Interest: The organization has a formal conflict of interest policy that requires all board members and key employees to disclose any potential conflicts annually. All transactions involving conflicts are reviewed and approved by the board to ensure compliance with IRS rules. 2. Non-cash Contributions: The organization received significant non-cash contributions in the form of donated assets, including vehicles, barn equipment, tack, and other equestrian/ranch-related equipment. These assets were valued based on appraisals and other reasonable methods to determine their fair market value. The contributions primarily supported program services. The donated items were depreciated starting in 2024. 3. Related Party Transactions: Simon dUnienville, Co-Founder and Executive Director, does not receive direct compensation from Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. Instead, payments are made to Equus Horsemanship, a business wholly owned by Simon, for program facilitation services. Equus Horsemanship's compensation is reviewed annually by the board to ensure fairness and that the amounts align with fair market rates for similar services. In 2024, the amount paid was below the fair market value for similar services. 4. Grants and Contributions Over $5,000: In 2024, Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. paid $5,975 to Win Place Home, Inc. as part of a partnership on horse adoptions. Win Place Home, Inc. received a percentage of the adoption fees for their horses placed through our program. Part VI, Line 2 Family Relationship: The Program Director, Yvette dUnienville, is married to Simon dUnienville, the Executive Director of the organization. Both Simon and Yvette dUnienville are co-founders of Healing Heroes Through Horsemanship, Inc. The Board of Directors is aware of this family relationship, and all transactions involving Simon dUnienville and/or Yvette dUnienville are reviewed and approved by the board to ensure compliance with the organizations conflict of interest policy. Both positions of Program Director and Executive Director are non-compensated roles.