The Horse That Started it All
In 2010, at just sixteen years old, Kayla faced the heartbreak of losing her first horse, Dean, to renal failure. He was more than a horse. He was her safe place, her responsibility, her first true partner. The grief felt overwhelming and left a quiet space that seemed impossible to fill.
A few weeks later, the owner of the boarding facility where Dean had lived called and invited her to come out to the barn. When Kayla arrived, she was led down the aisle and stopped in front of a stall. Inside stood a tall, thin chestnut mare pressed tightly into the corner, trembling.
"She's yours."
Those two words changed the trajectory of Kayla’s life. The barn owner did more than give her a horse. She gave her purpose in the middle of heartbreak. She saw a young girl hurting and entrusted her with something fragile and in need of care. That gift was an act of belief, mentorship, and quiet generosity that would ripple for years to come.
The mare, soon named Cocoa Belle, was a Tennessee Walking Horse with deep emotional scars. She did not trust people. Each time the stall door opened, she would bolt to the corner and stand shaking until the person left. But Kayla and the barn owner worked with her daily, patiently and consistently. Slowly, Cocoa Belle began to understand safety. Within a month, she was unrecognizable. She greeted people at the pasture gate, reached eagerly for treats, and stood with confidence instead of fear.
Watching Cocoa Belle transform was life changing. Kayla experienced firsthand how steady presence, clear boundaries, and compassionate leadership could restore trust. That lesson became the foundation of everything that followed.
From Rescue To Purpose
After working with a therapy program in Georgia, Kayla witnessed the powerful role horses could play in supporting physical and emotional growth. She also recognized a significant need for well-trained, emotionally balanced horses suited for therapeutic settings.
When she moved to Montana, she founded her own facility with a clear mission: rescue horses, retrain them with intention, and prepare them for meaningful work in therapy programs. Horses who once stood uncertain in corners were given purpose. Programs gained partners capable of supporting healing journeys.
Still, something more was calling. Wanting to bring services directly to her rural community, Kayla pursued certification as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator through PATH International and Strides to Success. She began offering structured, experiential programs in Beaverhead County, Montana, where access to supportive services is limited and deeply needed.
What began with a grieving teenager, a compassionate barn owner, and a trembling chestnut mare has grown into a mission rooted in hope. One act of generosity created a ripple that continues today, helping horses find purpose and people discover resilience, confidence, and connection.
Meet the Team
Kayla Robbins
Founder & President
Kayla has a lifetime love of horses and her experience with CocoaBelle, her Tennessee Walking Horse, led her to founding a horse rescue.
Before founding Helping Hooves Kayla volunteered and worked for 6 years at Saddle Buddies Therapy, a 501(c)3 non-profit providing hippotherapy to children.
Scott Wade
Treasurer & Secretary
Coming soon.
You Can Save a Horse!
With your donation Helping Hooves is able to rescue and re-home more horses.