Sara Riggins

Small Miracles wishes to share the incredible impact that our amazing farrier, Sara Riggins, makes in our ability to fulfill our mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs and empowering them to live life to the fullest through therapeutic equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). As the owner, instructor and certified farrier of Hawley Farm Stables, Sara’s knowledge, expertise and deep love of horses has literally saved the lives of several local horses, including some of Small Miracles’ own.

Take Tucker, for instance. As an off-the track racing Thoroughbred and competitive jumper, he was donated to us with only two healthy hooves. Abscesses, founder, contracted heels and crumbling hoof walls endangered his life. Donating hours of her time during the next six months, Sara brought Tucker’s hooves back to a healthy, barefoot state. Tucker is now in his fifth year of serving our students.

Another example is Daisy, which Sara rescued out of an extremely traumatic existence. Daisy’s physical condition, including a rotated coffin bone, could have made euthanasia a humane possibility. But Sara could read in Daisy’s eyes a strong will to live. Daisy’s recuperation included casting her legs and numerous corrective trims to counteract severe founder, as well as plenty of food and emotional well-being. After several weeks of care from Sara, Daisy could finally tolerate moving without pain. Daisy, too, has found her home at Small Miracles. For the past four years, Daisy’s story of regained hope, health and healing serves to soothe the inner hurts of children and youth at-risk and our military veterans through our unmounted EAAT programs.

Literally, our entire herd of eleven horses and ponies owe a great deal to Sara. Providing EAAT at Small Miracles makes the second or third career for our equine, and most also need continued therapeutic farrier work due to past health issues. We can wholeheartedly trust Sara to come to our aid and provide the utmost care of them.

Sara not only provides hundreds of dollars of in-kind services and equine products annually, but she is also very generous within her busy schedule as a member of our Board of Directors. She also donates to our Annual Benefit Auction and is a wonderful spokesperson for our organization. Small Miracles is very glad to have this opportunity to show our heartfelt gratitude for our wonderful farrier during National Farriers Week. Thank you so much for this opportunity.

— Sherri Russell
Executive & Program Director
Small Miracles Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Inc.
(Kingsport, Tenn.)