Tula Vida
Foundation
Our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate horses in Costa Rica and to sponsor equine-assisted learning experiences for those in need.
25+
Horses Helped
The Tula Vida Foundation is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, separate from the Tula Vida business, with finances kept independent and used solely to support the Foundation’s mission.
Join Our Herd
We are committed to the welfare and empowerment of both horses and humans and we believe that bringing them together in a mindful way can be insightful and healing for both.
With your help we can support more horses
and bring their wisdom to those who may not otherwise have access.
The Story Of Tula Vida Foundation
Tula Vida Foundation
was inspired by a small, old grey pony
He was brought to us in urgent need of medical care, food and love. He had previously been a pack horse and was terrified of people. He had a number of chronic conditions but we promised him we would do our best, that he did not have to work anymore and could live out his days in peace and comfort.
We named him Tarzan for strength and courage, and because he came to us from deep in the jungle.
After lots of medical and physical care, food and love he started gaining strength and trust – and showing us his sweet, brave and hilarious personality: running to the guava tree to check for fallen fruit (and for his shelter at the first drop of rain) and doing a double-check of the feed bucket with his little snuffly nose to get every last scrap.
He put weight on, improved his coat and feet, he finally stopped coughing and started running and playing!
Just like humans, horses have mental and emotional needs, as well as physical, and will only relax and play when they feel safe to do so. So the first day he came up to us and actually asked for human touch and connection was a happy day! And after a while he would come running to the gate whenever he saw us.
Trust from a horse with his background is a big deal.
Our veterinarian asked us which Foundation was going to pay for his rehabilitation and care…at that point we were funding it all but it wasn’t sustainable.
At the same time as this seed was planted, we were seeing first-hand the impact of excessive stress on people during the pandemic and other global or personal challenges, with clients who were able to travel showing up in urgent need of a reset and rebalance.
We were witnessing how incredibly healing it is for people to be here in abundant nature, connecting with the horses.
So we started thinking – what if we can help more horses like Tarzan and also support more people to come here and benefit from being around them?
And so the idea for Tula Vida Foundation was born!
Sadly, after 6 months of enjoying a well-fed, safe and happy life where he was recognised for the wise old soul that he was, Tarzan passed away suddenly in his field, under his favourite tree, with his mouth still full of grass.
While we were incredibly sad to lose him, we are also very happy he had a chance to feel good, to feel loved and to enjoy his life for his final months.
And his legacy, the Tula Vida Foundation, was started.
With your help we can support more horses like Tarzan and bring their natural wisdom and support to those who may not otherwise have access…
Follow us on social media to see the progress of our latest rescue horses and to find details of sponsored equine assisted learning experiences.
What are Tula Vida Foundation funds used for?
- Support the physical, mental & emotional needs of our existing (and future) rescue horses and other local horses in need of support;
- Sponsor or subsidize equine-assisted learning experiences and retreats in Costa Rica for a number of frontline workers, military personnel, healing arts professionals, and/or marginalized adults (as many as funds can support, but a target of at least 2 per year).
NOTE: we do not use ANY donated funds for Tula Vida Ranch construction, business or other non-horse or sponsored experience related costs.
The Tula Vida Foundation supports equine assisted learning experiences and does not provide psychotherapy, counselling or other licensed medical or behavioural health treatments.
Why We Do What We Do
Horses supporting Humans
At Tula Vida, our experiences are designed to support emotional awareness, nervous system regulation and personal development, a mindful and non-verbal way.
The intention is to support people to feel the peace and positive energy of becoming part of the natural world, connected in the herd, slowing down and listening to the insights offered by inner wisdom and instincts when the busy brain is quiet and still.
Cutting-edge studies in the fields of body and brain science, as well as mental health, now show the significant benefits of being in nature and being around horses as a powerful way to calm the nervous system, learn to self-regulate and co-regulate, create connection and relationships, process difficult events and generally feel more of a sense of happiness and well-being.
During 2021 we saw and felt first-hand, in our retreat clients from the US, Canada and Europe, the real and pressing need for a reset, healing and rebalance (after the pandemic and other challenges of 2020 onwards). After so much fear and disconnection, we believe that experiences with horses can offer an essential foundation for people to feel more in balance, and want this to be available regardless of economic situation – and so we created this as part of the mission of Tula Vida Foundation.
If you are interested in learning more about how horses can help us, visit the Tula Vida website.
“The Physician treats, but nature heals.”
Hipocrates
How You Can Help
Give
Any donation you make, whatever amount, is appreciated and will all go towards the rescue horses and sponsoring horse experiences according to our mission statement.
Sponsor
Join our herd by sponsoring a horse & getting regular personal updates. Or sponsor someone you know to have an equine-supported experience.
Shop
Get some Tula Vida Foundation goodies shipped directly to your door from our Herd Hero online store – all profits support our mission & sharing our logo helps spread the word too.
Ways to Donate
Support our ongoing operation with a one-off contribution. Any amount is appreciated and all contributions (even positive vibes) make a difference.
ZELLE
SINPE COSTA RICA
Phone number
8516-4510
CHECK / CHEQUE
In the name of
Tula Vida Foundation Inc
Send by mail to
11532 PebbleCreek Dr, 21093, Lutherville, USA
Donations are tax deductible in the U.S.
Sponsor a Horse
Be a Foundation Hero and provide for the care, feeding and ongoing needs of your TVF horse friend with a tax-deductible monthly or annual donation.
$375 — VIP Support
$375 per month will cover your horse’s food, supplements, annual dentist visit, monthly hoof trims and regular vet care, as well as support some of their pastures for moving & foraging (to live as naturally as possible).
$200 — Wellness Package
$200 per month will keep your horse in food & supplements, as well as cover their annual teeth & vet care (vaccines & check-up).
$100 — Feed Me
$100 per month will buy grain, hay and supplements to keep your horse’s belly full.
$50 — Health Package
$50 per month will keep your horse parasite free, with a regular pedicures (which for horses is about walking pain-free, rather than having pretty feet!)
$25 — Vitalize Me
$25 per month will cover your horse’s minerals, vitamins & other supplements to keep him healthy on the inside and thus shiny on the outside.
Sponsor a Horse
Sponsor a Person
Give someone who couldn’t otherwise afford it the chance to experience what horses and nature have to offer. Over the last few years we have seen a steep rise in isolation, burnout, compassion fatigue from caring for others, constant stress and/or difficult emotions to process.
Some people don’t have the means or resources to access what they need – and you and the Tula Vida horse herd can make a real difference for them.
We have contacts for referrals
Both locally and internationally, and if you already have someone in mind for this experience we’d love to hear about them.
$250 — Sponsor a horse experience
A one-time facilitated personal development session (2-3 hours) with the horses, tailored to the client’s individual needs.
$3,300 — Sponsor a Retreat Spot
A chance to join one of our group retreats, with daily horse experiences and other activities (accommodation & food included). You could even add $1,000 to cover their flights too!
Thank you
in advance for your support!
- Together we can provide a safe, loving home for our wise, unique and noble horse friends.
- Together we can bring joy, healing and peace to the lives of people who really need it through the natural world and interactions with horses.
- Together we can offer refuge or support for horses who have worked hard or are destined only for slaughter - they deserve to be appreciated and cared for.
- Together we can spread the idea that both horses and humans are sentient beings with mental, emotional and physical needs, and lead by example in changing the way we treat each other.