Drugs and Addiction in the Horse World: A Conversation with Andrew Ellis

Lifelong equestrian and east coast native Andrew Ellis wears many hats within the hunter/jumper industry. Rider, horse show manager, announcer, USEF Safety Committee member, certified EMT. But he also has another label that we don’t talk about as much in our community—recovering addict.

Andrew and I both share a passion for educating the public about opioid addiction. He has personal experience overcoming physical and mental dependence on drugs, and after losing my husband to an opioid addiction in 2015, I unfortunately have first-hand experience about the tragedy that comes from addiction.

We took some time to chat about addiction, recovery and how we can tackle these important issues within our shared space in the horse world.

A conversation with recovering addict, Andrew Ellis, on sobriety, addiction and substance abuse in the horse world. Published in The Plaid Horse magazine, April 2019. Read entire interview.