The Power of Hope Equestrian Center was founded in 2021 as an answer to a four-year long journey and prayer for founder Tracey Keeven and her family.
Tracey started volunteering at a therapeutic riding center an hour away from her home. She immediately fell in love with the process and quickly became certified as a riding instructor. Soon after, she was asked to join the board of directors. Tracey worked there 4 years, sending more and more clients to them for services, some from quite a distance away.
Tracey and husband, Jeff, own a farm and already had an outdoor arena onsite. They decided it was the perfect location to start offering equestrian services in Steelville, MO. so that more people could have access to the incredible benefits of equestrian therapy.
POH started with just 5 horses and 10 riders in an outdoor arena. In just three years, POH has grown to include an indoor barn and arena area with a dedicated team of 5 instructors, many weekly volunteers, 17 horses, 1 mule and over 65 riders per week. POH has become a center for volunteerism and a refuge for the entire community to be inspired by nature and engage in a shared mission.
POH is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Member Center that provides weekly therapy programs to children and adults, ages 4 to 60+ years of age, with physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities. PATH Certified Instructors lead the programs with the assistance of horses/mules and many dedicated volunteers each week.
Participants come from many of surrounding counties including Crawford, Dent, Phelps, Franklin, and Washington.
Down Syndrome
ADD/ADHD
Sensory Processing Disorder
Traumatic Brain Injury
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
…among many others
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cerebral Palsy
Intellectual Disability
Anxiety
Developmental Delay