500 MILES from Heroes and Horses on Vimeo.
500 Miles depicts an affectionate portrait of the connection between humans and animals, and describes a unique rehabilitation program that promotes the rehabilitation of U.S. military veterans and mustangs, horses without purpose.
The psychological toll of war often surfaces when veterans return home from combat. Many of these brave souls still have no positive direction or purpose in order to gain a foothold in the reality away from the extreme conditions they have grown accustomed to. In the depths of despair, some resort to suicide.
Led by the nonprofit Heroes and Horses program, the 500 Mile program gives these veterans the opportunity to face and overcome challenges in constructive and life-affirming ways. Companionship on this journey is a herd of wild horses and donkeys who undergo rigorous “gentle” training on the grueling trek through New Mexico and Arizona.
Horses like this are often tamed with harsh discipline methods. They were basically treated like slaves. The 500 Mile Project handles this process differently. Its purpose is to create a deeper bond of respect between the animals and their experienced military trainers. Both humans and horses are on similar journeys; both must face the most conflicting aspects of their nature, battle unforgiving circumstances fraught with physical and mental danger, and emerge on the other side with a new spirit, purpose and sense of belonging.
Accompanied by a team of veterinarians and other support staff, the film crew documented the process of selecting the horses for the competition. We were introduced to 16 veterans who spoke about the difficulties of re-entering society and their desire to overcome their demons and regain peace with their children and spouse. We go through every obstacle in their grueling journey through the mountains and the trust that develops between each horse and its trainer along the way.
Of course, the central journey depicted in “500 Miles” doesn’t just appeal to returning veterans and Mustangs. The filmmakers create a metaphor for the challenges each of us must overcome in order to find meaning in our own lives.
Directed by: Josh Fletcher
