top of page
Image by Vladimir Vujeva

Hooves and Hearts

Our Mission

Our mission is to empower first-time horse handlers with the knowledge and compassion to recognize equine behavior, reduce stress, and build a meaningful human-horse bond with horses. We strive to guide beginners through their first contact with the horse, ensuring mutual respect and empathy with these animals.

Beginner Rider Guide

Click below to see a pamphlet design for a first time guide to equine behavior and welfare

Four Grazing Horses

About the Founder

Chloe Yoon is a junior at Dwight-Englewood School and has been horseback riding for over eight years at Bergen Equestrian Center. Her passion for animals began at a young age, and while she once hoped for a family dog, her parents encouraged her to channel that love into horseback riding. Through this experience, Chloe discovered the calming and therapeutic presence of horses, which helped her manage the academic demands and pressures of school.

 

Over time, she came to appreciate the unique ability horses have to connect with humans emotionally. Chloe is a dedicated member of the show team at her barn and actively competes in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a nonprofit that emphasizes riders’ ability to connect with and guide unfamiliar horses. This experience not only sharpened her riding skills but also taught her the challenges and unpredictability of working with live animals. Chloe is a volunteer at Pony Power Therapies, a therapeutic riding center, where she witnessed the positive impact horses can have on people in need. Her interest in horse welfare deepened after attending programs at Rutgers University and the University of Connecticut, where she explored the mental and physical toll that lesson and therapy horses may face.

 

​

Credits

Seminars/Courses I attended

  • Rutgers Equine Science Center Seminars (2024 and 2025)

    • "All Stressed Out: What's the Problem?" - Dr. Sue McDonnell, University of Pennsylvania​

    • "Evaluating Pain in Horses" - Dr. Kris Hinely, Oklahoma State University

    • "Evaluating Pain in Horses while Riding" - Dr. Kris Hinely, Oklahoma State University

    • "Health and Management of US Senior Horses" - Dr. Alisa Herbst, Rutgers University

  • Introduction to Equine Science and Horsemanship at University of Conneticut (2024)

​

I had the opportunity to consult with Professor Sue McDonnell and Professor Camie Heleski, who provided valuable feedback on the content of my pamphlet as well as suggested additional material and resources to review and consider. ​

bottom of page