Hallie's Story

Welcome back to our blog!
Read the origin story of STEPS: Dr. Hallie Sheade and Cowman

I grew up in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. I fell in love with horses at age 2, begging to ride a pony at a local carnival without my mother holding my hand. When I was 9, I groomed horses and did barn chores in exchange for free riding time, but the journey that led me to start S.T.E.P.S. With Horses really began the day Cowman arrived at the barn. He was a former rodeo horse that had a reputation for being strong willed and uncooperative. I believed he was just misunderstood. At the time, I often felt very misunderstood by my parents, so Cowman and I  had something in common. Every day, I would sit in Cowman's stall and groom him for hours as I told him all my troubles.Cowman and I soon bonded. When I would leave the stall, he would often grab the back of my shirt and pull me back in. Over the next few months, some interesting things started to happen. My relationship with my parents began to improve and Cowman started to cooperate with other riders.
Cowman and I had formed a mutually beneficial bond that improved the quality of life for both of us.

​Dr. Sheade's relationship with Cowman is what inspired the establishment of STEPS. Now our clients have the opportunity to connect with and heal with horses, just as Dr. Sheade did with Cowman.

​Inspired by this story? You can make a difference by supporting these relationships with our clients! Give the gift of healing and horses by clicking the Seen Through Horses below!