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,
Since 2005, with the support of our partners, Happy Hooves has been able to help children and adults with special needs by providing horse-centered programs. Participants ride and care for horses, developing exceptionally rewarding relationships that benefit mind, body, and spirit.
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 receive therapeutic riding at no charge.
Each October, Happy Hooves hosts our main fundraising event of the year, Wines & Equines. Unfortunately, due to the steady climb of COVID-19 cases in our community, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone our event and keep everyone safe. We have rescheduled our Happy Hooves Wines & Equines to May 14, 2022.
You might ask how does horse therapy benefit the members of our community? Please take a moment to read the special story below about one of our newest riders, Emalyn.
All the best,
Becky Sweeney
864-898-0043
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"One of my favorite parts about Happy Hooves is passing other parents in the barn as they come and go to lessons and seeing the relaxed smiles and proud expressions..." read more from Emalyn's mom, below. |
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Wanted, welcomed, and loved: Emalyn's Story |
I remember sitting around a table with the director of the orphanage, a doctor, and a few other people. We were speaking of a precious little baby girl, but there was no adoration in the words I heard. The doctor said her medical problems were intense and questioned who would ever help this orphan? Answering her own question, she said, “No one will.” When I expressed that we would be thrilled to adopt her, the director asked something I’ll never forget, “Your family is so beautiful, why would you want this problem?” We knew already that children are not problems, but those words were embossed on my heart and I promised from then on that Emalyn would never be in a situation where she was considered a problem or an inconvenience. She would only be cherished, believed in, and rooted for. She would only be loved.
Emalyn came home at 15 months old. She has Down syndrome and a handful of other medical conditions. Her first year of neglect left her with a less than ideal medical situation and she had to endure what seemed like countless traumatic surgeries soon after joining our family. By around four years old, she had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her anxiety was at times so debilitating that we could not drive around certain areas of town or she would hyperventilate. Fast forward several years and Emalyn is now 8. Her anxiety continues to impact her life, and I remain fixated on the idea that she will always be wanted, always be loved. Heartbreakingly, we’ve now had enough experiences to know that the world around us often doesn’t feel the same way. Emalyn is frequently underestimated and underappreciated.
But not here. Not at Happy Hooves. Happy Hooves is one of the very few places where Emalyn is treated with over the top respect, kindness, and patience. Because she is believed in, she believes in herself. Happy Hooves is just not a place to ride horses. It is not just a place to improve balance or learn a new skill. When Emalyn has her therapeutic riding lesson (and for days afterwards) her anxiety melts away. All her “I can’t” and “help me” are gone and she is confident, beaming, and capable. She is always capable, but the difference is that she knows it when she is riding and for days afterwards while she (sometimes subconsciously) remembers the success and connections of the ride. Beyond that gift is the hard-to-find blessing of being truly, uniquely valued.
Happy Hooves is special to Emalyn, and likewise, it’s like a breath of fresh air to us moms (and dads) who have to spend our lives fighting for our children to be included and valued. Here, I don’t have to prove her worth and insist that she is capable if she could just be given a chance, an extra moment, or one more try. Here, everyone is important and the contrast with Emalyn’s past is hugely apparent. If only that orphanage director could see now just how much this little girl is loved, maybe she too would know that children are never problems.
If you can contribute to this wonderful organization, please do. Please help them continue to put joy in the hearts of children and tears of happiness in the eyes of their parents. We have a hidden gem here in the hills of Marietta and I hope it will always be a place where children know that they are valued, worthy, and capable. To those of you who make it possible for a little girl to come home and exclaim, “I rode Twiggy! By myself!”
Thank you. A million “thank you”s will never be enough. Thank you for showing that children are never problems, and are always worthy.
Sincerely,
Rachael Swolgaard - better known as Emalyn’s mom
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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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