Diane with Pepper (the misunderstood barrel horse) 2012
"Horses and People Helping Each Other" began in a small round pen in Dripping Springs, TX. Diane began working with horses upon her daughter's purchase of a horse from a lesson stable. The horse, a beautiful Russian Arabian, had been rescued at an auction. Horse ownership taught both mom and daughter a great deal about life, love, commitment, and horses. At the prompting of a friend, Diane took in a high strung, misunderstood barrel racing horse. This experience led her to seek additional training and she apprenticed under Kay McFall, a natural trainer and colt starting specialist. Working with Kay and experiencing the innocence of young horses opened a new understanding into the world of horse and human interaction. Intrigued by the progress that was made with her own horses by using a calm and gentle approach, Diane yearned to share these experiences with others. In 2012, she acquired a severely abused and underweight horse. She chose to begin the restoration process by providing opportunities for those in the local community to connect with him. The horse, whose name was Major, provided companionship and affection to returning military and their families. His repertoire grew as he provided comfort and companionship to adolescents who had been the brunt of bullying in middle schools. He also visited and inspired youth in foster care, and made special outings to assisted living homes. That year, Major had an average of 200 encounters with people seeking peace and healing, and in the process, he himself reached a heightened level of trust, healing, and companionship with humans.
Word got out, and many local horse owners sought to give Diane their horses. Most were seeking homes for their horses due to personal or economic circumstances beyond the owner's control. She took in as many as possible, but soon ran out of room and funding. An O.E.F. Marine that had worked closely with Major and the other horses encouraged Diane to continue on as a Charitable Rescue Organization. Thus, with the guidance and friendship of fellow Director Charlotte Ballard, "Horses and People Helping Each Other', aka H.A.P.H.E.O., was established in 2013. Since then, we have gone through many experiences and have had many wonderful horses and humans cross out path.
In 2020, due to health reasons, it was imperative that Diane relocate to a drier climate. This led to a wonderful move to the South Plains in the panhandle region of Texas. Today, the H.A.P.H.E.O. herd consists of ten horses and a miniature donkey. The herd is fostered on the grasslands of a beautiful and peaceful property near Levelland, TX.
It remains our mission to help as many equines as possible.
Major 2012