About Our Founder

Hayley Holzhacker, an avid equestrian and passionate animal enthusiast, founded Impact Horse – Connecting Humans and Horses, in August 2022 to fill the need within our community to make equine-assisted learning opportunities more accessible and available to the public. Hayley is a lifelong animal enthusiast. Her childhood incorporated lots of dogs, horses, and ponies. Below is a photo of Hayley at age two preparing for the Hampton Classic Horse Show- Lead Line in 1998. Her passion for connecting with horses continues to this day. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of connecting with horses. Hayley’s emphasis is on creating a special bond with her horses. Horses are genuinely insightful, loving, and beautiful creatures. There is nothing like the bond between a horse, their rider and caretaker.

Hayley achieved her Master’s in Non-governmental organization (Nonprofit) Management at Johns Hopkins University in December 2022.

Impact Horse was created as part of Hayley’s Capstone Project and corresponding 46-page research paper studying the evolution of the connection between horses and human along with the therapeutic benefits of equine-human interactions.

For her undergraduate studies, Hayley achieved a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology, at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, New Jersey. She graduated Cum Laude in May 2018. Hayley served as a horse leader, handler, and volunteer for a therapeutic riding program in New Jersey throughout college. She is an active community member and contributes to animal shelters and equine rescues. Hayley is located in Southern Maine.

< “Toast” is a therapy trained miniature horse registered
with the “You Make A Difference“ program.

Hayley Holzhacker with her Thoroughbred mare,   Layla. >

Clinical Counseling Education and Psychology Interests
Hayley completed a full year of Clinical Counseling Graduate Credits at Centenary University in Hackettstown, NJ. She also completed 250 clinical hours at a private counseling practice in New Jersey. The future is bright, and Impact Horse is making strides. Our mini mascot: “Toast,” is a therapy- trained miniature horse registered with the “You Make a Difference Program.”