When we give to others, we build stronger communities and find personal joy and happiness.
Our Motto
Mission
To provide support and hope to individuals with special needs through equine-assisted activities and riding therapies
Our instructors and volunteers work tirelessly for those we are privileged to serve. Hooves with H.E.A.R.T. strives to improve physical and mental disabilities, cognitive and behavioral issues, and social interaction while promoting the self-confidence to those with special needs. We assist children with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other special needs. Our lessons are designed to build core strength, balance, posture, gross and fine motor skills and enhance cognitive abilities. Our program is one of the few equine-assisted activities and riding centers who provide barn work activities to the participants, which includes grooming and leading of the horses. Our volunteer program welcomes those with a heart for service in our heartwarming program.
Our History
Cavalli Creek Farms in Bradenton, Florida is a family owned farm who partnered with Special Olympics Florida-Manatee County in 2015 to build an Equestrian Program to serve individuals with special needs in our community We are honored to be the Registered Equestrian Training Facility for Special Olympics Florida-Manatee County. The Special Olympic Equestrian season is yearly from November to March.
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After the end of each season the owners (The Golinos) and volunteers had a profound passion to keep the students riding throughout the year. Our team witnessed the incredible progress and joy of our riders and in turn, we received the heartfelt gift of serving them. In order to fulfill our desire to keep the students in the saddle year round our 501c3 non-profit organization, Hooves with H.E.A.R.T. was born in March of 2020.
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It was the generous nature of Cavalli Creek Farms, the Golino Family, that was the catalyst for this rewarding program for our community. Their example paved the way for the structure of our program and inspires others to lend the hearts and hands to this project. Our team consists of one, P.A.T.H. coach, two Certified Special Olympics Florida Equestrian Coaches and program trained volunteers. Our Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, experienced therapeutic riding program individuals and supporters of our mission.
New Chapter
The 2023-2024 season taught Hooves how broad
the term special needs is. Many different communities reached out for the love and support that our equines could provide such as veterans, first responders, children dealing with significant grief and survivors of sex trafficking.
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It became apparent that we were out growing the space Cavalli Creek could provide. After a series of emotional conversations, The Golinos and Hooves knew it was time for us to move. The level of gratitude we have for the Golino Family can not be measured. They gave us the foundation, the space and the support to begin this wonderful program. We are beyond thankful for their giving hearts!
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The hunt was on for a place that can provide the same love and support for our program while giving it the space it needed to serve the community who was asking for our help.
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The answer came in the form of Csatar Farms located at 40555 Clay Gully Road in Myakka City. In fact several of Hooves horses spend their summers at the farm while the program is on hiatus. It was opened in 2015, by Amarilla Kovacs and Jeffrey Cowling. Amarilla has been a horse lover and rider all her life. She wanted to provide a place where owners trusted that their equines would be treated like one of their own. The level of care and maintenance would be of the highest standards. Jeffrey who serves our community as a Manatee County Sheriff is often seen around the farm on his days off helping on projects. Here horses play in a 10 acre field boasting ponds and are able to take part in herd life. They just get to enjoy being a horse! Amarilla and Jeffrey opened their gates to Hooves and are excited to be a part of our all our programs!
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Hooves will now have a lighted arena and eight acres of trails to incorporate into their lessons. There will be structured riding and trail adventures as well as a "classroom" for learning on those rainy or too hot to ride days. Our participants will truly gain a multilevel experience at Csatar's! We are beyond excited for this new chapter in Hooves' story!
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