Our Story

About Horses & Hope

How Horses and Hope got started — Macey Booth at the barn in Talmo, Georgia

How It Started

A Barn Built on Faith

Horses and Hope was born from a simple conviction — that horses have a remarkable way of revealing God's character to the people who work with them. Head trainer and owner Macey Booth built this barn in Talmo, Georgia around that truth, creating a place where kids don't just learn to ride, they learn to trust, to be patient, and to be gentle.

What started as a passion for both horses and faith has grown into a full riding program with three trainers, eight horses, summer camps, and a monthly FCA Equestrian Huddle. Every lesson, every camp, every huddle is rooted in the same belief: that what happens between a child and a horse is a picture of what God wants with each of us.

We're currently at capacity and accepting waitlist applications — because a good thing is worth waiting for.

We Are Not a Show Barn

Our barn is big on fundamentals and horsemanship. We are not in a race to get your child into a show ring. We occasionally attend local shows and host home shows here on the farm, and we have no problem at all with showing. It is simply not our main focus at Horses and Hope. What we care about most is building well-rounded horsemen and horsewomen who are safe, confident and gentle around horses.

Why We Do It

Our Mission

Four values shape everything we do at Horses and Hope — how we teach, how we treat our horses, and how we welcome every family that walks through our gate.

"To connect people to Christ and Community through the love of horses."

Encouragement Gentleness Horsemanship Safety

Encouragement

“Encourage one another and build each other up, so you’ll all be in this together. No one left out, no one left behind.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Gentleness

“Ask the animals what they think — let them teach you. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is Sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand.”

— Job 12:7-9

Horsemanship

“Let my teaching fall like abundant rain on tender plants.”

— Deuteronomy 32:2

Safety

“He will cover you with his wings. Under his feathers you will find safety. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

— Psalm 91:4

The People Behind the Barn

Meet the Team

Our trainers bring a shared love of horses and a genuine faith that shapes how they teach. Every one of them is invested in your child — not just as a rider, but as a person.

Macey Booth

Owner & Head Trainer

Macey founded Horses and Hope on the belief that horses draw people closer to God. She brings years of riding experience and a deep faith to every lesson, creating an environment where kids feel safe, encouraged, and challenged to grow — in the saddle and in their walk with Jesus.

CHA Certified Riding Instructor — English & Western
Equi-First Aid USA Certified

Courtney Mink

Assistant Trainer

Courtney has a natural gift for connecting with kids and horses alike. Her patience and enthusiasm make her a favorite among younger riders, and her attention to proper form means every student leaves a lesson with skills they can truly build on.

Equi-First Aid USA Certified

Ella Lively

Student Trainer

Ella brings energy and encouragement to every session. She has a wonderful ability to meet riders exactly where they are — whether they're stepping into a barn for the first time or working toward their first trot — and help them take the next step with confidence.

Equi-First Aid USA Certified

Kara Vandeford

Working Student

Kara is as hardworking as she is horse-loving. As a working student at the barn, she's always right in the middle of the action — mucking stalls, tacking up horses, and making sure everything runs smoothly. Her dedication to the horses and the farm makes her an essential part of the Horses and Hope family.

Get Involved

Ways to Support Us

Horses and Hope is a faith-driven ministry. Every act of support — big or small — helps us keep this barn running and more kids in the saddle.

Amazon Wishlist

Ship supplies directly to the barn. From saddle pads to grooming tools, every item on the list helps us care for our horses and riders.

View Wishlist

Pray for Us

Pray for Macey, our trainers, and every rider who walks through our gate. Pray for the health of our horses and the continued growth of this ministry.

Leave a Review

A kind word goes a long way. Sharing your experience on Google helps other families find us and shows the community what God is doing here.

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Become a Sponsor

Interested in sponsoring an event, covering a child's lessons, or becoming a general farm sponsor? Reach out to Macey — every partnership matters.

Contact Macey

Encouragement “Encourage one another and build each other up, so you’ll all be in this together. No one left out, no one left behind.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Gentleness “Ask the animals what they think — let them teach you. Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree that God is Sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand.” — Job 12:7-9

Horsemanship “Let my teaching fall like abundant rain on tender plants.” — Deuteronomy 32:2

Safety “He will cover you with his wings. Under his feathers you will find safety. His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” — Psalm 91:4