Keep HEC Hooves of Joy's Mission Alive

HEC Hooves of Joy is a PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Center founded in 2018.

Our mission is to provide an effective therapeutic horsemanship program for children, youth and adults with physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges. We want to continue to provide the opportunity to experience the natural benefits and joy that come with learning to ride a horse.

Since 2018, we have served over 200 participants with various disabilities. HEC Hooves of Joy has been more than just a PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Center — it has been a haven for children, youth, and adults facing physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges. Our mission is simple yet profound: to harness the incredible therapeutic power of horsemanship to bring joy and healing to those who need it most. The sight of a child gaining confidence, an adult finding a moment of peace, or a teenager breaking through emotional barriers while on horseback is nothing short of magical.

However, as we all know, maintaining such a sanctuary isn't without its challenges. With the loss of funding from the County, we are in dire need of capital to continue serving this community. In the last 5 years we have seen the miraculous results and natural benefits from learning to ride and care for horses. From increasing an individual's mobility and strength to boosting confidence and self esteem, we know we must continue this important work. The rising costs of horse care, facility maintenance, and the need for additional staff have begun to strain our resources. We’ve reached a point where we must humbly turn to our community for support. Your contributions will help us continue to provide these life-changing experiences and ensure that HEC Hooves of Joy remains a beacon of hope and healing.

Every dollar you donate directly impacts the lives of our riders and our beloved horses. Your support funds operating costs such as facility maintenance, heating our arena, feed and hay for the horses, veterinary care, riding equipment, and even scholarships for eligible families. More importantly, it helps sustain the magic moments that happen every day in our arena.

To meet the greater needs of our community, our immediate goal is to raise enough funding for 20 children who have lost their services and desperately need your donations to keep them from further regression.

Providing Occupational Therapy to our clients is also an immediate need. We are actively accepting trained Occupational Therapists who would like to support our cause through volunteering a few hours weekly to furthering the health benefits of our program.

But we are not stopping there. We are dreaming BIG!

As the need is great, it is our desire is to expand our programs to serve as many people as we can. We are aiming to further our current accreditation as a P.A.T.H Member Center to a P.A.T.H. Premier Accredited Center. We also visualize adding a Mental Health Professional to our staff along with being able to offer Hippotherapy.

Your support, whether it's a financial donation or simply spreading the word about our cause, means the world to us. Together, we can keep the Hooves of Joy galloping forward.

Warm regards,

Joy and Russ