A Story of Bravery

Baron the Brave, a 10-year-old miniature horse weighing 270 pounds and standing 8.3 hands, visited residents at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston last August. Baron brought smiles to the faces of the veterans, and his visit stirred many cherished memories. Veterans eagerly gathered to greet him, gently petting his muzzle while sharing stories when they owned horses.

Baron was named after the World War I German fighter pilot known as the Red Baron. He was rescued while the son of his owner, Cindy Forrer, was stationed in Germany on active duty with the U.S. Army. Forrer chose a military-inspired name because her goal was to serve veterans. She often escribes Baron’s journey as “From Cast-Off to Aristocrat.” 

According to posts on Baron’s Facebook page, he was rescued on October 3, 2018. Baron “explains” his story in his own voice:

“I found myself sick and starved in a crowded, dark place called a kill pen, but I never gave up hope. A kind woman named Joey arrived, giving me food and warmth and bringing me to a place to heal. A friend of Joey‘s had my ransom. Cindy saw something special in me – my fierce determination to not just survive but to thrive. A routine dental x-ray revealed part of my history that I try to forget. In my early years, I was used for target practice, evidenced by multiple large BB pellets embedded from my nose to my tail. Through careful, consistent training, I overcame my cruel past of abuse and turned my pain into purpose. Now I trot into veterans’ homes, care facilities, hospice rooms, schools, and libraries, being proud to be alive and make others feel alive, too. Imagine the connection our wounded warrior veterans feel when they learn of my scars.”

Baron the Brave is a certified therapy miniature horse through the Miniature Equine Therapy Standards Association, where he holds the highest rating, Masters Level III. He is also certified by Mayo Clinic Hospice, and Assisteo Hospice in Phoenix, Ariz. Forrer explained that both organizations require annual health documentation, and as his handler, she completes rigorous volunteer training to be allowed to visit patients with him. Forrer is credentialed through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Together, she and Baron focus their work on serving veterans, hospice patients, residents of long-term care facilities, as well as schoolchildren and library patrons. 

“Every visit results in a favorite interaction for me – whether it’s the smiles of a child reading to Baron, a lonely bedridden senior who lights up when Baron enters their room or a caregiver who needs a soft nuzzle from him.”

Forrer grew up on a farm outside of Spring Valley, where she and her brother herded sheep using their family’s Shetland ponies. Growing up, she competed in 4-H and FFA horse shows, and during college she took lessons to learn jumping and dressage. More recently her focus has been liberty, cowboy dressage, and trail riding including trail obstacle competitions. She has had horses continuously for 63 years.

“When I realized how much horses have enriched my life, I decided to focus on giving back by sharing my equines with populations who can benefit from the interaction.  Research and clinical observations show equine assisted activities offer a range of benefits, particularly because horses provide immediate, non-judgmental feedback through body language, promote mindfulness, and encourage responsibility and empathy. Benefits span mental/emotional, physical, social, and cognitive domains, with evidence supporting improvements for conditions like PTSD, autism, anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, and certain physical disabilities,” shared Forrer. 

Forrer retired at the end of 2022 and plans to spend as much time as she can “horsing around.”

Baron is introducing his “new little brother, a microminiature donkey named Fernando” to the world of therapy work. Fernando will partner with Baron.

During the visit to the veterans home, one of the residents invited Baron and Cindy into his room to proudly share pictures of the horses he once owned. Residents are looking forward to Baron’s return visit this year, according to Gabby Kinneberg, Public Relations and Volunteer Coordinator at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Preston.