Power of Hope Equestrian Center near Steelville was recently awarded a grant by country music artist Lainey Wilson to assist in the mission of forging a path of hope with its unconventional therapeutic approach. 

The organization was awarded $2,000 from Wilson’s Heart Like a Truck Fund charitable fund. It was a total surprise to Tracey Keeven, founder, and her staff because they did not apply for the money but were nominated instead. 

“We are extremely excited and humbled to have received this grant… Knowing that someone believed in our mission enough to put our name forward means so much to our entire team and community,” she said. 

Wilson’s charitable fund teams up with a variety of non-profits that lift people up and provide encouragement and support.

“Lainey Wilson’s Heart Like A Truck fund supports causes that change lives and celebrate triumph,” Keeven said. “We plan to use our $2,000 grant to pay that forward and provide scholarships for eligible participants, allowing them to attend our programs at no cost. This will give individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity a chance to experience the healing and transformative benefits of working with our horses.” 

Keeven said being awarded the money is a sign that she is doing the work she needs to be doing. 

“I’ve always been deeply passionate about horses and the impact they’ve had on my life,” she said. “They've been everything from my partners in the arena to my most trusted friends — the ones I could confide in and always find peace with. Horses have shaped who I am, taken me on incredible adventures, and opened doors I never expected.”

One of those impactful experiences was being a volunteer at an equine-assisted therapy center in Washington, Missouri. That pivotal time was life-changing as she became enamored with the possibility that horses could be beneficial in helping people in ways that traditional methods were unable to. So, she got certified via the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), later serving as an instructor and a board member at that center.

“I started noticing that many of the participants I was working with were traveling nearly an hour away to access services. It didn’t take long for me to realize that our own community needed a place like this and that I could provide that place,” Keeven said. 

In the fall of 2021, Keeven founded the Power of Hope Equestrian Center, offering a variety of programs geared toward all ages and abilities. The Therapeutic Riding Program is for individuals ages four and older and can help with ADHD, Down Syndrome, autism, anxiety, traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy, as well as other physical, developmental, and emotional difficulties. There are also two programs designed for first responders and veterans. 

In addition, the Service Wrangler Program offers participants an introduction to horsemanship and a connection with the horse, while the Drover program enhances and strengthens those introductory skills.  The center also holds seasonal camps for ages three to 18. 

“Over the past four years, we’ve experienced tremendous growth,” Keeven said. “We began our first summer serving about 15 participants per week, and we now average 55–60 participants weekly for lessons. Our camps have expanded as well — from just three camps our first year to eight or more offered annually. 

“Program-wise, we started solely with Therapeutic Riding. In May 2023, we introduced our Service Wrangler Program for Veterans and First Responders, and in June 2024, we launched our Drover Program to give those participants a way to continue advancing their skills and remain part of the Power of Hope family.” 

Equine therapy or horse therapy can be beneficial in the sense that it not only can improve one’s physical health, but it can also be advantageous for mental health, and form and build emotional and social skills, reduce stress, and be a confidence booster too. 

“Working with horses helps participants rebuild healthy boundaries, address trust and abandonment issues, and develop both fine and gross motor skills,” Keeven explained. “Horses offer a completely non-judgmental space. They mirror our emotions and respond to our energy, which creates powerful opportunities for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth. When you combine that with the physical benefits of riding and simply being outdoors, it becomes one of the most holistic ways to heal. And behind it all is a loving, supportive team of staff and volunteers who walk alongside each participant, helping them find confidence, connection, and hope.”

The last four years have been a whirlwind and overall wonderful experience for Keeven, knowing that she and her team are helping to make a positive difference in the world for others, and Wilson’s charitable funds will help even more. Keeven said she looks forward to increasing the effort to help as many people as possible. 

“My passion continues to grow every time I witness a transformation — whether it’s a small breakthrough or a life-changing moment,” she said. “Seeing firsthand that there are powerful alternatives to traditional therapies is what drives me. I’ve heard the first spoken words from a 4-year-old child with autism, supported a double amputee in riding independently and even roping from a horse, and listened to a veteran share that this place and these people are part of the reason he’s still here. Experiences like these are what sparked Power of Hope, and they’re the reason I’m committed to growing and promoting this work. Passion is what built this organization, and it’s what will carry it forward.”