Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals in the Upstate
of South Carolina through the power of the horse.
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Hello friends,
Thank you to everyone who came out to Christmas at the Barn! We had a great crowd, and the weather could not have been better. It was so good to see new as well as familiar faces returning year after year! Here are some great photos from the event, we hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Please join us in welcoming Sarah Liz Henderson as our new PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor. She is a true blessing to our barn and you can read more about her below.
We want to wish you and your family all the best in 2022! We are so thankful to our generous donors, volunteers, staff, and therapy horses for their continued dedication to Happy Hooves. You are helping to make a big difference in the lives of children with special needs and at risk youth right here in the Upstate!
God bless,
Becky Sweeney
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Welcome Sarah Liz Henderson, PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Sarah started riding as a child and has been involved with horses off and on ever since. She has always ridden dressage but really fell in love with the beauty and disciple of the sport while leasing an FEI level dressage horse. It is Sarah's goal to train her own horse up through the levels.
Sarah was first introduced to therapeutic riding when she volunteered at Wheatland Farm near the college she attended in VA. She knew then that she wanted to become PATH certified and now almost ten years later, feels blessed to have achieved that goal. Sarah volunteered with Happy Hooves for several years and is thrilled to be teaching here now.
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Volunteer Spotlight!
Will and Tracy Hickey moved to Travelers Rest, SC in 2014 from Rochester, NY. They were drawn to the area because of the weather and outdoor activities. After retiring in 2019 they were looking for volunteer opportunities. Just by chance they read a social media post about Eden Farms and the Happy Hooves program, and they thought it looked interesting. Both being animal lovers, they thought this was the perfect opportunity.
The first day volunteering they were able to work with horses and students. They were hooked! Each week volunteering, they were taught all the basics of horse management. The opportunities were endless from grooming, leading, helping with lessons, cleaning tack, barn jobs, turning out horses and more. They were able to do as little or as much as they wanted on their own schedule. It was a perfect fit for their lifestyle.
Will and Tracy both agree the best part of Eden Farms is the wonderful atmosphere.
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"Everyone is so friendly and appreciative we feel like this is our second family. People come in with a smile and leave with a smile, especially the enthusiastic riders that are helped through this special program". |
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It's Always a Good Day to Ride Rebecca! |
This sweet Belgian mare has been with Eden Farms since it opened in 2001, and weighs almost 1600 pounds!
Rebecca was trained in the fundamentals to pull a wagon but did not progress further because she began doing more lessons at Eden Farms. She now does both able-bodied and therapy lessons, as well as trail rides. She is a steady, gentle giant who loves attention, especially hugs!
Rebecca is a favorite horse and namesake of Barn Manager Becky Sweeney, and was trained onsite by Becky and her sister Jenny.
You can learn more about Rebecca here!
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Save the Date!
Annual Charity Golf Tournament, April 18!
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Do you like to golf? Happy Hooves is having their annual charity golf tournament at Fox Run Country Club on April 18! All proceeds will go to help children and adults with physical, mental, and emotional challenges through the power of the horse. Watch our website for more details soon! |
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Save the Date!
Wines & Equines Fundraising Event, May 14!
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It promises to be an evening filled with delicious food, wine, beer, live music, riding demonstrations, silent and live auctions, interactive artwork and more! All proceeds will go to benefit Happy Hooves Therapeutic Equestrian Center! Watch for more details on our website, soon! |
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We want to thank our most loyal supporters and make all donors and volunteers, new and old, feel appreciated! Your support is essential to our mission to enhance the lives of individuals in the Upstate of South Carolina through the power of the horse.
Happy Hooves is an all-volunteer organization. All funding comes from donations, fundraisers and grants. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, over 80% of our Happy Hooves riders are able to receive therapeutic riding at no charge.
Happy Hooves currently serves more than 500 Upstate children each year through therapeutic riding lessons, summer fun programs and School at the Barn.
School at the Barn has 570 therapy lessons and 570 Equine Assisted Learning lessons each
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year. Summer camp has 135 therapy lessons; and we have 400 individual therapy lessons for a total of 1675 lessons per year.
The therapeutic riding programs require an average of 40 trained volunteer positions each week, and run year round, with each volunteer working an average of 3 hours per week.
Eden Farms, home of Happy Hooves, is a beautiful 170-acre property with three arenas, a 40-stall barn that currently houses 25 horses; 10 boarders and 15 therapy horses. There is a newly renovated handicapped accessible playground on the grounds, along with a sensory riding trail with man-made activity stations.
We once again thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your support and your donations. We couldn't help so many special needs children and adults, and at-risk children and teens, without you!
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Happy Hooves has been a PATH International Premier Accredited Center since 2005. In fact, we are one of only six Premier Accredited Centers in South Carolina, and the only one in the Upstate. This accreditation is a rigorous process requiring centers to meet stringent requirements for staff, facilities, and programs. A program must be re-accredited every five years. |
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Your contribution helps special needs children and adults, as well as at-risk children and teens.
Happy Hooves is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Email: happyhoovessc@aol.com |
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