Founder’s Statement – Equine Empowerment Foundation

For as long as I can remember, horses have been my teachers, my partners, and the heart of my life’s work. I’ve spent a lifetime immersed in the world of horsemanship—training horses, teaching people, and managing ranches where the rhythm of hoofbeats echoed through every lesson learned.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed the quiet wisdom of horses transform lives. I’ve seen them teach patience, build confidence, and offer healing in ways words never could. And as I reflect on the career they helped me build, I knew it was time to give back to the very animals who gave me everything.

That’s why I founded the Equine Empowerment Foundation—to rescue, retrain, and rehome horses so they can continue to do what they do best: change lives.

Our mission is rooted in the belief that every horse deserves a second chance, and every person deserves the chance to experience the healing power of the horse-human bond. We prepare rescued horses for new roles in lesson horses, therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and emotional support programs—serving children with disabilities, veterans with PTSD, trauma survivors, and anyone in need of connection and hope.

These horses, once discarded or forgotten, become lifelines. They carry children who cannot walk. They calm the minds of those who cannot sleep. They listen without judgment, love without condition, and teach without speaking.

This foundation is the natural continuation of a life spent learning from horses. It is my way of honoring them—and ensuring their legacy lives on in the lives they touch.

With deep gratitude and a heart full of purpose,
Cara C Hayden
Founder, Equine Empowerment Foundation