- 323-833-0984.
- info@zenhearthorse.org
- Tax ID Number: 88-1024891
Mission
Zen Heart’s mission is to nurture, grow, and inspire humans and horses to live a life of unbounded wellbeing and full expression through connection to the natural world and the power of play.
Programs & Services
Zen Heart offers a variety of equine-based services and outdoor programming including horseback riding lessons, competitive show jumping, outdoor/ environmental education, and wellness activities. Zen Heart actively partners with local organizations and groups to deliver services and activities to communities and youth across Los Angeles County and beyond.
Community & Advocacy
As core commitments, Zen Heart is dedicated to closing the “nature gap” and growing access to the outdoors and equestrian activities among LA’s urban and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Zen Heart actively supports education and advocacy surrounding LA’s rich ecology as a biodiversity hotspot, and significant environmental justice issues facing our communities. Additionally, Zen Heart centers the role of American Thoroughbred horses (Off-the-track-Thoroughbreds, commonly referred to as “OTTBs”, and unraced Thoroughbreds) as a way of promoting breed awareness and supporting opportunities for these horses to overcome misrepresentations as they find second careers outside of racing.
Zenyatta is a champion American Thoroughbred racehorse, and an inspiration for our organization. Foaled (born) in Kentucky, Zenyatta’s racing career truly began and bloomed in California at racetracks including the historic Santa Anita Park in Arcadia and Hollywood Park (formerly sited in Inglewood, at the current location of SoFi Stadium). Winning a remarkable 19 out of 20 starts, Zenyatta holds world-class accolades including becoming the first mare (female horse) to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2009. Zenyatta was also the 2010 American Horse of the Year and joined the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016.
But perhaps what makes this mare and her story so magical, is her spirit. Zenyatta is known for her incredible heart and determination. Zenyatta is proof that no matter where you find your start in life – you will find your stride, write your own story, and succeed in the ways that matter when you believe in yourself. This is the heart of a champion. This is Zenyatta’s legacy. We are Zen Heart.
Robin Gilliam is a Los Angeles native, a lifelong horse enthusiast, and a dedicated environmental justice advocate. Robin has a passion for building meaningful, mission-driven collaborations between organizations, projects, and communities that are rooted in wellness, kinship, and care for the environment. She founded Zen Heart as a way of connecting communities (both within and outside of the horse world) and sparking dynamic and impactful experiences of nature (including those of our animal relatives, the horse) that foster positive change in the lives of people and horses. Robin holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Southern California, and a Master of City Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.
Chanel Minnifield is an upper-level Eventer that has achieved many accomplishments in the competitive show circuit. Starting showing at the age of 7 in Kentucky, Chanel has successfully shown in the Hunter, Jumpers, and Eventing show ring. She has a passion for the tradition of the sport, and teaching young equestrians the joy of the competitive riding.
Zen Heart offers year-round activities in the program areas listed below. All core program activities are located at our private barn in the La Tuna Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles. Please contact us to schedule a visit or to learn more: zenhearthorse@gmail.com
Overview
The Riding and Care-based Education (RACE) program provides Los Angeles youth with foundational exposure to horses. This hands-on program touches on the subjects of equine science and equestrian recreational activities for children and youth entering Zen Heart’s riding programs, and for those schools and groups participating in on-site field trips to our 44-acre rural open space property located in the City of Los Angeles. This program intentionally fosters a nurturing and supportive environment for students as they are introduced to basic horse safety, knowledge, and skills. The RACE program provides students with a strong foundation in “horsemanship” – a practice-based philosophy that honors a horse’s biology to create clear communication and compassionate interactions with horses. The goal of this program is to provide an enriching environment where students can gain access to a horse’s world under the guidance and support of community-based teachers and mentors, as they discover more about themselves and cultivate deepened appreciations for the beauty of nature and the power of caring for others.
What You Learn
All students entering Zen Heart’s equestrian programs first participate in the RACE program. This program serves as an introduction to basic horse safety, knowledge, and skills. We believe that it is important for students to gain a strong foundation in horsemanship which spans the topics of riding/equitation, horse science, training philosophies, and horse care best-practices. Students in our program may take part in activities such as:
This program is also offered as a stand-alone activity for tailored, small group experiences. Additionally, RACE prepares those students interested in advancing to other program areas including competitive riding.
Registration & Pricing
Private lessons and individual sessions for Zen Heart’s RACE program and other offerings begin at $75/hour, per person. Group lessons and special program activities may be offered at a discounted rate, and scholarships are available each year based on need. For more information, contact us by email at ZenHeartHorse@gmail.com or phone at 323-833-0984.
Our Competition Riding program supports intermediate and advanced riders on their journeys to train and show at the competition level, in both amateur and professional circuits. Zen Heart’s competitive riding program trains riders in English Hunter/Jumper disciplines, focusing on matching the right horses with the right riders, and custom-building a pathway that supports the wellness and success of our horse and rider teams. Our riding program is offered year-round and located at our private barn in La Tuna Canyon (Sun Valley) in the City of Los Angeles. To schedule a visit or for more information, please contact us at 323-833-0984 or ZenHeartHorse@gmail.com.
Zen Heart offers tailored programs throughout the year and in partnership with local organizations. These programs foster greater education, awareness and engagement for equestrian and environmental-based initiatives, practices, benefits and opportunities across communities, cultures, and regions. These programs are designed to support our relationships to nature, the harmonizing of our mind-body- and spirit connection, and the expansion of career-development pathways rooted in equestrian and environmental industries. These programs are intended to uplift the positive effects of horses in the lives of humans, while supporting best practices in animal welfare, by building a broader global community of equestrian participants, practitioners, partners, supporters, families, and friends.
Our training program is grounded in the fundamentals of natural horsemanship, a style and philosophy of horse training that bridges communication between horses and humans by understanding the nature of horses and building trust. All horses at Zen Heart receive foundation or re-start training in natural horsemanship, as it is incorporated throughout all of our program areas and at every level of riding and horse care.
Zen Heart holds a special place in its community for American Thoroughbreds. As part of our mission, Zen Heart works to identify, receive and retrain Thoroughbreds, including Off-Track Thoroughbreds (OTTB), for new careers through our Competition Riding program area, or through a 90-day rehabilitation program for horses in need.
Zen Heart Horsemanship is entering a defining moment—transitioning from vision to embodiment as it embarks on its path to the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in our hometown of Los Angeles, California. This moment is anchored in something larger than sport as this journey has evolved into a global initiative—building relationships and positioning the equestrian sport of show jumping as a catalyst for environmental stewardship and justice, economic development, collaboration, and capacity-building across Los Angeles communities and throughout the African diaspora. With much more to come, stay tuned for updates!
88-1024891
323-833-0984
ZenHeartHorse@gmail.com
