I grew up in Raleigh, just up the street from my now husband of 45 yrs. I spent the summers on my grandparents’ family farm, learning to enjoy farming, planting, driving a tractor, helping with chores, and harvest time. At 9 years old, I was given a horse named Sam for my birthday and quickly learned to ride, groom, and care for him! After my family welcomed a second horse, my sisters, cousins, and I would spend all day riding and pretending we were cowgirls from the movies.

My professional experience includes working in telecommunications for Southern Bell, BellSouth, and AT&T. I worked under the titles of “Operator,” Customer Service, Manager of Customer Care Organization, Trainer, and Senior Project Manager. I retired in 2011 after 33 years, then contracted with an engineering company as a Design Engineer for Data Services for 4 years.

I chose to volunteer at Helping Horse as a Side Walker after expressing to a friend that I
missed being around horses. When she invited me to visit, I was quickly attracted by the
enthusiasm of the volunteers and the joy that I saw in the students. After my first night volunteering, I was committed to helping students improve their well being, which is as much a physical as an emotional need. Seeing a rider’s family grin, wave, and cry while watching them steer a huge horse through obstacles, using verbal and non-verbal commands (something most parents have never witnessed their child do), and growing beyond their own expectations is an amazing and rewarding experience for me.

My role as Farm Manager came naturally once the board members realized I could drive a
tractor and didn’t mind getting dirty. I organize volunteers who come to help build projects, paint, clear trails, clean pastures and grounds, and maintain our arena. Teaching is another joy I have. To show young teens, most of whom have never seen a horse close up, “how to” is rewarding. Seeing their reaction as they learn about cleaning horse poop is a real treat! Teaching about responsibilities and leadership skills is a wonderful byproduct of our volunteering.

– Rebecca Hayes

Farm Manager