About Us
Rescues Rescuing
Our goal is two-fold; we are rescuing horses and giving them a high noble purpose - rescuing loved ones and restoring meaning to their lives.
Some of the many special needs we serve:
Addiction * Autism * Cerebral Palsy * Down Syndrome * Depression * Head or Brain Trauma * Learning Disabilities * PTSD * Speech Impairment * Spinal Cord Injury * Stroke * TBI* Victims of Abuse
Mental, Physical or Emotional Trauma can interfere with a person's quality of life
Guiding Reins offers an alternative approach to improve mental/physical health for all ages. Horses once destined for disposal create a unique and powerful heart-mind connection between human and equine. We regularly work with veterans, active duty personnel, first responders, Wounded Warriors and their family members.
Horses offer life-changing gifts, helping people with everyday life skills
Horse slaughter is a subject that relatively few Americans even know about. Over 100,000 horses a year are exported out of the country for slaughter, many in "good" condition. The long journey away from everything they knew is followed by an unspeakable end.
The good news is there are increasing numbers of sanctuaries and rescues across the country devoted to saving these animals. There are many, many advocates who are committed to providing shelter, nutrition, and care for these gentle creatures, along with educating the public about the value and contribution horses bring to our lives.
Because horses are prey animals, they are highly attuned to the environment around them, and are very sensitive to the emotions of their human companions. They are social animals, and are willing to engage and build a relationship with their people!
Therapy professionals are finding that horses with a history of abuse or neglect are the IDEAL partners in an equine therapy setting…the result of this partnership is an unconditional exchange of love, with mutual acceptance, offering therapeutic benefits to both!
Our South Carolina Location
ShadyView Farm in Campobello, SC
Our North Carolina Location
Winding Creek Stables in Tryon, NC
Diane Prewitt
Born and raised in South Carolina, Diane took her first riding lesson at Lawton Stables on Hilton Head Island when she was 7 and the spell was cast! She continued to work and show horses even thru her college years and was a member of the University of South Carolina Equestrian Team 1984-1988. She then pursued a graduate degree and profession as a Paralegal and started her own freelance business in 1999, Paralegal Resources, LLC. Diane always had to board her horses off site, but had a dream of owning a farm and being able to see her horses in her own pastures someday (one day)?. In 2004, Diane and her husband Tom built Westview Farm in Campobello and the dreams finally came true and they and their horses and ACD Blue Heelers call Westview Farm home. Diane is a long time (13 years) volunteer with TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tryon), a Board member for FETA (Foothills Equestrian Trail Association) and a board member for the Polk County Health and Wellness Coalition and is thrilled to finally see her vision of Guiding Reins become a reality!
Alicia Sama
Alicia Sama, Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Instructor, joined Guiding Reins in 2020. Driven by passion and an unmatched work ethic, Alicia took a waning equestrian program in Mill Spring, NC, and grew it by noteworthy proportions in just a short time. Under her leadership, the equestrian center became a location for children and adults alike to enjoy and fully experience the equine world. Her attention to detail and gentle, yet forward instruction enabled her students to grow as riders by leaps and bounds. Alicia’s thriving lesson program brought students from all over the Carolinas.
Over the years she has also made community outreach an important part of her passion for education. Alicia has often collaborated with organizations such as the Pony Club of America, Boy Scouts of America, as well as Girl Scouts of America to offer youngsters the opportunity to learn more about horses and the equestrian industry. Alicia is an integral leader in the fast-growing equine industry in this area and Guiding Reins is thrilled to have her on our team!
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We want to keep our Guiding Reins community in the loop with program updates, upcoming events, and our quarterly newsletter! Each month, all new subscribers are entered into a drawing to win a Guiding Reins branded hat or t-shirt!
