From a Tennessee Farm to Heartfelt Healing: Rediscovering My Love for Horses and a Grandfather’s Legacy at HORSEPOWER

When I was born, my grandfather, a farmer and all-around handyman in Tennessee, had a horse waiting for me. By the time I was 5 years old, I was riding independently, and my love for horses began. As my grandfather aged, he scaled back his activities on the farm and began ‘renting’ space to others for their animals. This gave me the unique opportunity to be around different horses every time we visited him, including retired racehorses.

Fast forward through my childhood—growing up in a wonderful home but one without the means or proximity to keep up with riding horses. Once a year, though, our family would camp, and the highlight for me was always riding horses through the mountains. That experience stayed with me, even though life kept me busy. Marriage, work, kids—all of it took priority. Yet, every year, that single ride while camping reminded me of my deep-rooted love for horses.

Years later, our youngest daughter fell in love with horses, just like I had. She began riding at 5 and continued for five incredible years until the farm she rode at closed. It wasn’t until she turned 13, when we were searching for a way for her to be around horses again, that we stumbled across HORSEPOWER Therapeutic Learning Center. I thought, “I’ll take her and volunteer, just so she can be around horses again.”

Little did I know that my own love for horses was quietly waiting, buried deep inside. I’ve now been volunteering at HORSEPOWER for over 10 years, spending 6-8 hours a week working with both the kids and the horses. It’s funny how life comes full circle. I don’t ride often anymore, but I find fulfillment and joy just being around these beautiful animals—giving them the love they deserve and getting so much back in return. HORSEPOWER fills a hole I didn’t even know I had, one that started over 50 years ago on a farm in Tennessee with a horse and a grandfather’s love.