February 2021
Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals in the Upstate
of South Carolina through the power of the horse.
Hello Happy Hooves friends and family,

On Sunday, December 13th Happy Hooves hosted their 17th annual Christmas at the Barn fundraising event at Eden Farms. Guests enjoyed "Reindeer Rides", visits with Santa, a Nativity scene and Christmas music, a Candy Cane Garden, a variety of arts and crafts, "Peeplechase jump course for children, Rambo's Hotdogs, home baked goods and more!

We have chosen a photo contest winner from the event. Congratulations to Lily Dean! In the photo, she is enjoying the newest addition to Christmas at the Barn: the Candy Cane Garden at the entrance of Tonka's Trail playground. Thanks to everyone for submitting some really sweet photos!

We hope you enjoy our newsletter, and we wish you a very Happy New Year filled with good health, joy and peace.

Becky Sweeney
Please read Shane's story and discover the wonders of therapeutic riding in the Upstate of South Carolina!
We Love This Story!
Dear Friends,

Shane started riding at Happy Hooves over four years ago after we moved to SC. He had recently been diagnosed as being in the Autism Spectrum and had started to receive Occupational, Physical and Speech therapies. He was struggling in so many areas. We were told to look into Equine Therapy. As I began to look around, so many people spoke highly of Eden Farms and Happy Hooves.

From the time we drove up I had a peace settle over me that this would be the missing piece to the puzzle for him. I can't begin to express how much confidence he has gained. He is petrified of tiny insects, but he feels like he is Captain America when he's riding. The sensory input he receives, the balance he has accomplished, and overall therapy has been a huge blessing. Not only the physical aspect of riding, but also learning how to take care of and tack up his horse has been beneficial. He knows what is expected of him and the protocols to follow for success. The staff is amazing and have become like family to us.

I cannot begin to put into words how much this program means to us. We are so thankful for those who support this wonderful opportunity who have made it possible for Shane to participate!

Sincerely,
Gail Burdette
Homeschool at the Barn!
This is just one of the smiling faces we have seen at the September, October, and November sessions of Homeschool at the Barn! Here are news stories from News Channel 4 WYFF and Kidding Around Greenville about our Homeschool at the Barn program. We have wrapped up our 2020 sessions in November, but please stay tuned for Spring 2021 sessions to be announced soon!
Rachel Rose
It was a very sad day at Eden Farms as we said goodbye to our sweet Rachel Rose! She was 30 years old and was humanely euthanized because of old age complications with laminitis. Rose has been with us for the past 18 years and did it all: she was a steadfast and favorite therapy pony, hunter jumper school horse, and competed in 3-day eventing horse shows in North and South Carolina. She took hundreds of children for rides in weekly lessons, summer camps, trail rides and event "reindeer" rides at Christmas! She also helped mend hearts and was used for Equine Assisted Learning with counselors and at-risk youth. God blessed us with this steadfast, kind mare for so long!
Friends of the Farm
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
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!
Did You Know?
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.
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.
Phone: 864-898-0043
Email: happyhoovessc@aol.com