BACK IN THE SADDLE
Partnering to rebuild the horse camps of Kerr County.
Powered by Texas Equine Foundation
Back in the Saddle: Restoring Horse Camps in the Texas Hill Country
The Devastation: July 4, 2025 Floods
On the morning of July 4, 2025, flash floods tore through Kerr County and surrounding areas of the Texas Hill Country following record-breaking rainfall. With little warning, creeks overflowed, fences washed out, and roads vanished under rushing water. Some of the region’s most cherished youth camps—many of them operating for generations—were directly in the path.
Among the hardest hit were the horse programs. Entire barns collapsed. Dozens of saddles and bridles were destroyed or swept away. Horses had to be evacuated or were displaced. Fencing, feed, grooming equipment, riding arenas, and storage sheds were all lost. For many of these camps, horses are more than just a summer activity—they are the heart of the experience. The horse programs teach responsibility, courage, empathy, and confidence to thousands of children each year. And in a single storm, those opportunities disappeared.
Many of the camps affected are family-run or nonprofit organizations that do not carry the financial reserves to rebuild quickly. Insurance coverage is inconsistent or insufficient. And while staff, volunteers, and families are rallying, the scale of loss is beyond what individual camps can shoulder alone.
The Response: Back in the Saddle Campaign
In response, the Back in the Saddle campaign was launched—a coordinated effort to restore the equine infrastructure and programming at the youth camps impacted by the July 2025 floods.
Led by veterinarians, camp leaders, and equine advocates across Texas, the campaign is focused on:
Rebuilding barns and fencing
Replacing lost tack and equipment
Reuniting or rehoming displaced horses
Restoring riding arenas and training facilities
Ensuring safe and accessible horse care for campers in 2026
All donations to the campaign are collected and distributed through the Texas Equine Foundation, which ensures that funding reaches the camps in greatest need with full transparency and oversight.
This effort is more than just replacing things—it’s about restoring the irreplaceable. The lessons learned in the saddle. The confidence gained through caring for another living being. The healing that happens when a child brushes down a horse or finds their voice atop one. These camps are where Texas youth discover responsibility, resilience, and belonging—and where horses are the conduit to that growth.
How You Can Help
The Back in the Saddle campaign is actively seeking support from:
Foundations committed to youth development, rural resilience, or animal welfare
Companies rooted in equine, ranching, or outdoor traditions
Individuals who believe in the transformational power of camp and horses
Together, we can get these programs—and these kids—Back in the Saddle.