I'm not certain if anyone is reading the blog posts here yet.  I have been chomping at the bit to use this joke, and couldn't resist every opportunity to post it. We do hope you come and horse around with us at the Neigh-borly Bar on May 2nd. Wear your best hats, line dance with Lynda, eat bbq, and hang out with us all day long.

We are still seeking donations for our basket raffle on Saturday May 2, 2026 at our Kentucky Derby Day Fundraiser at the Neighborly Bar. 

Have you heard about our Second Annual Kentucky Derby Day Fundraiser on Saturday
May 2, 2026 from 10am-6pm at the Neighborly Bar in Ashland, WI??? This year promises to be even more fun! We are raffling off cash prizes, baskets, gift cards, and experiences! We will have line dancing with Zumba with Lynda at 1:00pm and the best Derby Hat Contest at 2:00 p.m. Bigboy Smoke Signals will be selling BBQ all day long! Stay tuned for more details and excitement. If you'd like to donate or support our cause, please call or text 715-208-0146 or email nicole.hoovesofjoy@gmail.com ! We can't wait to see you there!

Marie is a 61 year old participant at HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc and has four decades of experience as a registered nurse. She dedicated much of her career to being both an ER  and dialysis nurse and obtained certification in both specialties. She served as a commissioned officer for six years in the US Army Reserve Nurse Corp —including deployment to Texas and Washington DC during Operation Desert Storm, Marie was the first reservist to report at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  Most recently working as the Health Supervisor at Tamarack Hospital in Hayward, WI.

 Her active working life abruptly ended on March 19, 2024, when she sustained a stroke. Marie spent a month at Aspirus St Luke’s Rehab Floor receiving physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Although the staff provided excellent care, her prognosis was initially for limited mobility, probable lifelong reliance on walking assistance, and total loss of movement in her left arm. Fully aware of the possible challenges due to her medical background, Marie chose to focus on what could go right rather than what could go wrong.

Not ready to retire, uncertain of her future and feeling as though her identity was lost, she continued to dream about returning to horseback riding—a lifelong passion. Throughout her 6 months of excellent outpatient rehabilitation physical therapy, and year of outpatient occupational therapy she envisioned the day she could ride again. Since childhood, Marie had cared for horses, participated in 4-H, and found joy in maintaining her family barn, a place that brought her peace and comfort throughout her life.

Returning to horseback wasn’t her only goal. She was forced to sell her own home in November of 2024, having to move into her daughter’s home when living independently was no longer an option. This time was bittersweet, Marie was a new grandma, she desperately wanted to hold her granddaughter, to simply sit on the floor and play without worrying how to get back up. A friend had been involved in equine therapy, and she began to wonder if maybe this could be her way forward?

She began therapeutic horsemanship at HEC Hooves of Joy, Inc. in May of 2025 and immediately felt empowered by her first ride. She teared up recalling the memory of her first time back in the saddle, the relaxation she felt in her body, and the peace and hope for healing she felt in her heart. The personal attention to her safety and wellbeing provided by the staff and volunteers makes her feel like family.
 
As a veteran nurse, she was an exemplary patient, but even her occupational therapist noticed increased arm and hand mobility when she began working with Hooves of Joy, Inc. She has now regained 50-75% of the use of her left arm. She credits the range of motion exercises incorporated in her lessons to improve her mounting and dismounting that Joy works with her on to her success as much as the actual horseback riding. In and out of her lessons each week, she thinks about her individual goals and how she can improve the skills she’s learning. Something that resonated through the entire conversation was that riding restored a part of her identity that she felt had been completely lost.

The most remarkable part of Marie's journey is where she is today. The confidence and strength restored by horsemanship has allowed her to move forward and really given power to what is possible.  She’s back in her own new home, able to walk and drive by herself, and not only plays with her granddaughter but also babysits her once a week. Marie dedicates a day each week to volunteering at Water’s Edge Nursing Home and Assisted Living and was excited for the chance to return to work, currently exploring options—retirement clearly isn’t on her mind.

Before we ended our call, she asked me to listen to her anthem during her recovery, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.” The song perfectly captures her resilient spirit and determination to rise above every challenge life has sent her way. Marie has a grit and determination, that has clearly always existed. She is also one of the kindest and compassionate people you will ever meet. She said that we must share that her favorite day of the week is Tuesday, her “Joy session” and time at the barn. Marie shares the positive impact of her therapeutic horseback riding with everyone she knows. Everyone here at the barn, feels privileged to be part of her healing journey and to better know this remarkable woman.

Greetings from the barn, the sun is shining this morning, and it's easy to imagine that spring will arrive in the Northwoods again. We have been receiving quite a few inquires about the job that we posted, so I'm sharing some details below. If you are interested or would like to submit a resume for any position, please email hechoovesofjoy@gmail.com Thank you!


Stablehand Job Description

Role Description, Qualifications and Required Skills: Stable Assistants work closely with our team to maintain a safe and clean environment for our horses, volunteers, and riders. They will assist with feeding horses, monitoring their general health and soundness, and cleaning pastures and dry lots daily. Stable Assistants are critical to our team by helping ensure that we provide the best experience and environment for our riders, families, schools, and of course, our horses.
Accountability: Report directly to your barn supervisor.
Qualifications:
•Must be at least 16 years of age and have a driver’s license
•Must be reliable and have a strong attention to detail
•Must have personal maturity and the ability to work reliably, and independently with integrity, as well as a strong desire to work as an effective member of our team
•Must maintain a high standard of excellence by insuring a neat, clean, organized and safe environment for both equines and people. Equine stewardship must be above reproach.
•Must communicate regularly and effectively with barn supervisor
•Must have the physical ability to lift 50lbs
•Must have the ability to work indoors and outdoors in any and all-weather conditions
Will Train:
•experience preferred but will train the right individuals to have knowledge of equine health, wellness, and training.
Compensation: to be discussed at interview
Shifts: Morning feeding and stalls: 8am-10am
  Evening feeding and stalls: 4pm-6pm
Our chores are completed on a rotating schedule to alternate weekends off. We can describe this schedule in more detail when you are interviewed/hired. You will be scheduled for at least 2 weekends per month.