A drive along Highland Road southwest of Ashland, Wisconsin leads to a place where horses are helping people build confidence, find comfort and experience a little more joy.
A sign along the road points visitors toward Hooves of Joy. Step inside its spacious barn and arena, and the meaning behind the name quickly becomes clear.
Since 2018, the nonprofit equine therapeutic riding center has worked with children and adults facing intellectual, emotional and physical challenges. Through therapeutic riding and time spent with horses, participants have an opportunity to build skills, confidence and connections in a welcoming environment.
“We harness the incredible natural therapeutic power of horsemanship to bring joy and healing to those who need it most,” said Joy Ratkowski, co-founder and executive director of Hooves of Joy. “Our work provides hope and growth for children and adults facing intellectual, emotional and physical challenges.”
For Ratkowski, there is something special about the relationship that can develop between a person and a horse.
“There’s nothing greater than being able to ride a horse that makes you know that you can control some things in your life that you thought you couldn’t,” she said. “Horses accept you for who you are, and that just brings out the best in a person.”
Families who come to Hooves of Joy say they’ve seen that connection make a meaningful difference.
One grandmother said her oldest granddaughter began riding at Hooves of Joy in March 2025 after a long journey toward healing.
“I’ve seen an enormous difference,” said Jill Hartlev. “She started to get that part of the healing that was missing.”
Her granddaughter describes the experience in equally personal terms.
“It’s helped me a lot through a bunch of emotional stuff I’ve gone through,” she said. “There are occasions where I come in very upset, but leaving I feel a lot better. I feel awesome afterwards.”
Finding the right horse and rider
Hooves of Joy uses horses specifically trained to work with a wide range of individuals. Certified therapeutic riding instructors work with participants and help match each rider with the right horse.
Betty, a Hooves of Joy volunteer, has seen firsthand what that relationship can mean.
TOP PHOTO: Rider, certified therapeutic riding instructor and co-owner Russ Ratkowski ride inside the indoor arena at Hooves of Joy. ABOVE LEFT: Joy Ratkowski, co-founder and executive director, Hooves of Joy. ABOVE RIGHT: Michelle Johnson of Enbridge and Hooves of Joy co-owner Joy Ratkowski connect with two of the organization’s extraordinary therapeutic horses.
“The horses teach the kids to be independent. My son has come so far,” she said. “Every parent I see that has an autistic child, I say to myself, please bring them in. These horses connect on a level that people don’t understand.”
As a nonprofit, Hooves of Joy depends on volunteers and donations to continue its work. Among its community supporters is Enbridge, which has provided funding through its community grant program.
“When I hear stories about some of the individuals that come here and how they’ve improved so much, I’m so grateful that we’re a part of it,” said Michelle Johnson, community engagement manager in Enbridge’s Ashland office. “Our community grant program is a valuable tool for us to connect and support the communities where we do business.”
Neighbors, volunteers and businesses working together
That support is helping Hooves of Joy prepare to serve more people.
“We have a huge remodel happening at Hooves of Joy,” Ratkowski said. “The arena is being expanded, allowing more capacity to serve more people. We’re very excited.”
She said contributions from Enbridge and other businesses help make therapeutic riding opportunities available to people who otherwise might not have access to them.
“Without the financial support of Enbridge and other companies like them, many people would miss out on this opportunity,” she said.
For Ratkowski, the support reflects something larger about life in the Ashland area, where organizations, businesses, volunteers and neighbors can work together to make their community stronger.
“I’ve been impressed with how supportive to this community that they’ve been,” she said of Enbridge. “The more we help one another, the better our community is, the stronger it is.”
And inside the barn along Highland Road, that spirit of community takes a particularly memorable form: people and horses working together, one ride and one relationship at a time.
