Hope Reins

Hope Reins Our vision is to inspire true hope and real healing for every child. Hope Reins is one of the country’s leading faith-based equine
mentorship programs.

We serve kids, aged 5-18, who are experiencing
life-threatening trauma at our 38-acre ranch, where they are paired
with a trusted mentor and a rescued horse for a series of 90-minute
sessions over a 3-year period. This journey leads to resilience and
coping skills that can last a lifetime. All services are offered at no cost to kids and their families.

Sometimes a child chooses a horse.And sometimes a horse chooses them. During one of Chloe’s* first sessions at Hope Rein...
08/28/2026

Sometimes a child chooses a horse.

And sometimes a horse chooses them.

During one of Chloe’s* first sessions at Hope Reins, her mentor brought her into a paddock to meet several horses. Chloe—normally reserved and hesitant—was standing quietly when Kody walked right up to her.

She completely lit up.

The choice was made.

As Chloe began leading Kody around the arena, her mentor noticed something change. Her shoulders went back. Her head lifted. She carried herself with a confidence her mentor had not seen before.

She wasn’t simply leading Kody—she looked like she believed in herself. And Kody calmly followed her lead.

Chloe has experienced significant loss and the pain of an absent parent. For a child who has felt overlooked and left behind, there was something powerful about being chosen by a horse.

Chloe still has more steps ahead. But now she has a safe mentor and a steady horse beside her as she begins processing her pain and discovering that she is safe, capable and deeply valued.

This is the hope and healing your generosity makes possible at Hope Reins. Thank you for creating a place where kids like Chloe can discover they are never alone.

*Name changed to protect the child’s privacy.

To give hope & healing to a child in crisis, visit hopereins.org/donate

08/21/2026

When it’s hot at the ranch, sessions get a little wetter.

Kids learn how to cool down and care for the horses with a bath…and before long, someone usually finds the super soakers.

Mentors get sprayed. Kids get soaked. There’s a whole lot of laughter.

And in the middle of all that fun, something beautiful is happening:

A child is discovering that the ranch is a safe place to play, laugh, connect and simply be a kid.

Because sometimes healing looks like a meaningful conversation beside a horse.

And sometimes it looks like a water balloon fight on a hot summer day.

Hot days at the ranch call for a different kind of session. Sometimes that means learning how to give a horse a bath—coo...
08/21/2026

Hot days at the ranch call for a different kind of session.

Sometimes that means learning how to give a horse a bath—cooling them down while learning how to care for them well.

And sometimes… the water balloons and super soakers come out. Mentors and kids spray each other, laugh, get soaked and simply have fun together.

It may look like summer play, but something important is happening in these moments, too.

For a child who has experienced hard things, discovering that there is a place where they can laugh, play, be cared for and simply be a kid matters.

Even on the hottest days, our horses are well cared for—and our newest session kids are discovering something we hope every child experiences when they come through our gates:

This is a safe place. You can be yourself here.

There wasn’t an opening for Peyton at Hope Reins. And then she met Shiloh. When 10-year-old Peyton first came to the ran...
08/14/2026

There wasn’t an opening for Peyton at Hope Reins. And then she met Shiloh.

When 10-year-old Peyton first came to the ranch, her family was walking through an incredibly difficult season. She and her mom were living with her grandparents while her dad received help for addiction.

They came to Hope Reins hoping to find help—but every mentor was already committed to a child.

Then, during their tour, Peyton met a little gray pony named Shiloh.

“She sniffed my hand,” Peyton remembers. “Her whiskers tickled my fingers.”

Standing nearby was mentor Janiece. Sensing Peyton’s need, she offered to begin meeting with her one-on-one.

God had opened a door.

Years later, Peyton is one of 46 kids we celebrated at Hope Reins’ very first Graduation, recognizing those who have completed the Pathway to Resilience.

You can read more of Peyton’s story in the Summer 2026 edition of Hoof Prints, along with stories and updates from Graduation, Summer Camp and Hope Reins Academy.

Every story inside is a glimpse of what your generosity makes possible for kids who need hope and healing.

Read the Summer Newsletter: https://hopereins.org/your-generosity-is-changing-lives-a-story-from-a-graduate/

At school, Eli* often felt rejected.But during his very first session at Hope Reins, something completely different happ...
08/07/2026

At school, Eli* often felt rejected.

But during his very first session at Hope Reins, something completely different happened: the horses chose him.

Eli has endured bullying and changed schools multiple times. Walking into a new place and meeting new people takes courage.

Yet during his first session at the ranch, it seemed as though every horse wanted to be his friend. Zeb and Pax were especially drawn to him—following him, watching him and choosing to stay close.

For a child who knows what it feels like to be left out, their quiet acceptance spoke volumes:

You are welcome here.
You are worth knowing.
You are not alone.

Eli is one of 39 new children beginning sessions at Hope Reins this season. Across the ranch, these new children are taking their first brave steps toward trust, connection and healing, while 120 familiar faces of returning session kids are reuniting with their mentors and horses.

The ranch is once again filled with laughter, fishing lines hitting the pond and even a little artwork created collaboratively by a session kid and a horse!

Every session is offered completely free of charge to children and families in crisis because friends like you choose to make it possible.

Will you help another child discover what Eli experienced in his very first session—the joy of being welcomed and chosen?

Make a one-time gift or become a monthly Stable Steward today: https://hopereins.org/stewards/

*Name changed to protect the child’s privacy.

07/31/2026

What does it feel like to wait to be seen?

Frustrated. Sad. Mad.

And what does it feel like when a horse sees you and chooses to connect?

Happy. Excited. Loved.

During summer camp, children climbed onto a barrel representing Zacchaeus’ tree while a horse represented Jesus walking nearby.

As they waited, campers practiced naming their emotions and noticing where they felt them in their bodies—important skills for emotional regulation and healing.

But they also experienced an even greater truth:

God sees you.
God knows you.
God loves you.

Because of your generosity, children are playing, learning, and healing at Summer Camp while discovering who they are in Christ:

Seen. Loved. Chosen. Safe. A Child of God.

You are helping these truths take root long after camp ends.

Which word would you want every child to believe about themselves?

All services at Hope Reins are offered at no cost to children and families. Visit the link in our bio to give or join Stable Stewards.

07/28/2026

We will be welcoming back FIVE speakers from Hope Reins this year to present FIVE sessions as part of the Main International Ranch Ministry Conference and Fellowship

Jennifer Shepard, Hope Reins Vice President and founding staff member will be sharing so much wisdom in this year’s session:

“Healing-Based Horsemanship: Mindset Over Method”

Healing-Based Horsemanship isn’t about training techniques—it’s about shifting our mindset. Jennifer Shepard, a leading force behind Healing-Based Horsemanship, will share the principles and paradigms that prepare horses to partner in trauma recovery work. Learn how your perception of horses impacts their role in healing and how to choose the right horses for your program, and how to set your team up for success. Rooted in years of experience at Hope Reins, this approach builds a horse’s relational capacity, making them true partners in the healing process.

For more info about this session, and the conference being held at Wings of Hope Ranch September 25-27, or to register, click here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wingsofhoperanch/event/2irmcc/

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors: CHSA - Christian Horse Show Association LEEPS Foundation Leadership Adventures, Inc. Hope Reins and SouthState Bank

07/27/2026

We will be welcoming back FIVE speakers from Hope Reins this year to present FIVE sessions as part of the Main International Ranch Ministry Conference and Fellowship

Jennifer Brasington, LCSW and Hope Reins Program Strategist will be sharing the following session:

“The 4 Skills of Resilience: Moving clients from trauma to Hope”

Description: Grounded in 15 years of experience and a validated program model, Hope Reins uses four core skills of resilience to help clients move from trauma toward healing and hope. In this session, Jennifer Brasington will walk through how these four skills form the foundation of Hope Reins’ curriculum and program design. Learn how resilience is intentionally built through horsemanship, mentorship, and discipleship, offering a Christ-centered, trauma-informed framework you can apply to support lasting transformation in those you serve.

For more info about the conference being held at Wings of Hope Ranch September 25-27, or to register, click here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wingsofhoperanch/event/2irmcc/

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors: CHSA - Christian Horse Show Association LEEPS Foundation Leadership Adventures, Inc. Hope Reins and SouthState Bank

07/22/2026

We will be welcoming back FIVE speakers from Hope Reins this year to present FIVE sessions as part of the Main International Ranch Ministry Conference and Fellowship

This year, beloved speaker Hilary Schultz, Hope Reins Academy Director and founding staff member will be sharing:..

“From Vision to Viability: A Proven Roadmap for your Equine Mentorship Ministry”

Description: “If God has placed a vision on your heart to open an Equine Mentorship Ministry—or if you’re already serving and longing to strengthen what you’ve started—you don’t have to figure it out alone. This session will introduce Hope Reins Academy, an online training and learning community built on 15 years of lived experience and a proven program model. Learn how our training equips leaders like you with the guidance, support, and clarity needed to move from dreaming to opening your doors—or to build a stronger, more sustainable ranch”.

For more info about the conference being held at Wings of Hope Ranch September 25-27, or to register, click here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wingsofhoperanch/event/2irmcc/

Thank you to our sponsors: CHSA - Christian Horse Show Association Leadership Adventures, Inc. LEEPS Foundation Reins and SouthState Bank

Address

8420 Wake Forest Highway
Raleigh, NC
27613

Opening Hours

Thursday 9am - 6:30pm
Saturday 9am - 11:30am

Telephone

+19193454914

Website

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