Success Stories
This is our favorite page on the website. It is the “WHY” behind what we do. We hope your life will be forever changed by reading these amazing stories of hope and determination. May you be inspired in your own life as you see the obstacles that have been overcome by some incredible individuals and the healing power of horses.
Meet Oz
One of our earliest stories took place right after we opened. With permission, we are sharing the story of an eight-year-old boy with spastic cerebral palsy named Oz. When we met Oz, he was unable to sit or stand without support. Weighing just 40 lbs and being 46″ tall, Oz got around in a wheelchair. After his first riding session, we noticed subtle improvements in his ability to support himself. After 9 weeks, the changes seen in Oz were remarkable.
There was extraordinary improvement in Oz’s balance and strength over the next several weeks. He was able to self-support in sitting by himself, and was able to stand and take small steps with caregiver assistance. There were changes in his curiosity and motivation to interact in his home environment as well. His Grandma shared that “Oz has gone from a child that was content to just lie around, to a child that is sitting up on his own and wanting to move around.” When Oz started the program, our side-walkers had to completely support him on the horse, but he eventually became able to hold himself up in the saddle, supporting his head and reaching with his arms. In one of his sessions, he amazed all by trying to put his foot in the stirrup by himself. Whenever his horse moved faster, his giggle had the entire team giggling along with him. Oz loved to ride. When he was on his horse, Dolli, he never stopped smiling.
To see Oz improve so quickly was very rewarding to our volunteers and riding instructors as well. Volunteers had commented that “the hour with Oz brightened their whole week.” As you can see, it isn’t only the participant that gains something through equine-assisted activities; everyone involved in the process is healed and uplifted in some way.
Our Lisa G
Lisa has been riding at HOJ for almost 2 years now. She is a testimony for anyone who thinks that they may be too old to participate in an adaptive riding program. She will turn 60 this year and has seen significant benefit both physically and mentally since she started coming here and cannot stop telling people about it.
Lisa grew up with horses and throughout her childhood was very involved in showing her horses. As a teenager, Lisa was diagnosed with a type of muscular dystrophy called FSHD. Although cautioned about her involvement with horses by her doctor, she did not stop pursuing her dream. It wasn’t until later in her life that she heard about the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and realized she owed the strength and mobility she still had at that time to her horses. Over the years, her condition progressed, and she felt like she was losing herself in the process. She couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow she needed to get back to riding but because of her prior horse experience was looking for a high level program that could challenge her not only physically, but on an emotional level as well. She moved to Ocala, Florida, and figured that somewhere known as the “Horse Capital of the World” would surely have the place she was looking for. Although she found some programs that were doing good things for others, they did not offer the emotional challenge or the possibility of showing again.
Her time in Florida was cut short due to unforeseen family circumstances that brought her back to northern Wisconsin. At this point, she was not very optimistic about her future.
BUT THEN she found Hooves of Joy! In her words, it had to be a “divine intervention”. It was nothing short of a miracle in her eyes that she had found everything that she was looking for.
Testimony of Nathan’s Parents
Our son has been riding with HOJ since April 1, 2021, nearly three years. His equine therapy with HOJ has included ground-based activities caring for horses, but has been primarily mounted-based activities. We think riding greatly advantages his therapy. He’s continually improving his social and his horsemanship skills.
Mounted activities make him use his core muscles more effectively. He must communicate and cooperate with his horse and with other riders to complete shared tasks and achieve common goals. He needs to remain calm to be successful with the horse, and the horse provides him with an overall sense of well-being and systemic regulation. Riding helps him feel competent, confident, and comfortable in himself.
Evergreen’s Story
I am 66 years old and have ridden horses for 30 years. A few years ago, I lost my trusted horse partner to old age and it was devastating. I tried riding other horses and after being thrown off, falling off, and experiencing being on a bolting horse, I realized I had lost my confidence with riding.
I went to Joy to get help because horses are my passion. Joy helped me build my confidence back to where I am now able to ride my two new horses at home.
Joy was patient with my fears and able to get me on her well-trained therapy horses. There were times when I even needed a side walker just to keep me in the saddle mentally. Joy’s staff was always there to help me. Her horses were safe and steady. Her heated indoor arena enabled us to continue my lessons even in inclement weather.
I know if I hadn’t found Joy and her program, I would probably have gotten seriously hurt and lost my ability to ride. I have recommended her services to some of my friends who are also in the older age group, and they have also benefited from riding her horses.
I don’t know of any other barn in our area that has the quality of facilities, and the quality and variety of horses capable of doing the job they do. It takes a special horse to handle emotionally and physically unstable riders, and Joy knows how to work with and train these horses.
I still take lessons with Joy, so I can become a better rider and fulfill my dream of riding a horse when I’m 90 years old.