Ride With Kendall Hayley
Riding for S.T.E.P.S. With Horses
Hello, my name is Kendall Hayley and I’m a long-distance endurance motorcyclist who has logged over 300,000 miles on a Harley Davidson over the past 10 years. I’ve been selected for the most extreme motorcycle challenge in the world, which will exceed 10,000 miles in 10-14 days reaching from the most southern point of Key West, Florida to the most northern finish line in Homer, Alaska. This extreme challenge not only test riding skill and endurance, but challenges each rider's spiritually, mentally, and physically, with no GPS or Map Navigation, only handwritten turn-by-turn directions, and having to sleep outside next to your motorcycle each night. This event is called a challenge and not a race, because each rider is challenged from applying through the selection process to the finish line.
Growing up as a teenager my oldest brother would have been classified as an “At Risk Teenager”, and struggled with mental health and attempted suicide on serval occasions as a teenager. As my brother's mental health issues escalated over time he turned to drugs and alcohol trying to self-medicate his illness. As an adult, my brother enlisted in the United States Army and, as a Veteran, my brother found himself in and out of traditional mental help therapy and found himself in the final category of 20+ Veterans who die each day by suicide. In a day and age where society labeled mental health issues as “Crazy People” and traditional therapy was frowned upon, alternative treatment was not an option.
Why Kendall is riding for STEPS
As an Ordained Youth Minister, a professional career in the death care industry, a brother who died by suicide, and an extensive background in the ranching and horse industry, I see the life changing value in S.T.E.P.S. With Horses. Today, because of my passion for motorcycling and familiar experiences with mental health, I wanted to start riding for a purpose and utilize my freedoms to raise awareness for something that is very close to my heart. When I discovered the mission behind STEPS and their focus on Veteran and At-Risk Teenagers it was an answered prayer and a connection allowing me to continue sharing my empathy and compassion on an organization that has a direct impact on people I care deeply for, Veterans and Teenagers.
You can help Kendall make a difference in the lives of Veterans and At-Risk teens by increasing access to this unique and powerful form of healing.
Equine assisted counseling is a form of professional counseling that can be beneficial for people who do not respond to or avoid traditional-office based mental health therapies. By harnessing the power of the human-equine relationship, clients experience the acceptance and safety needed to move towards growth and healing. Unlike traditional counseling, equine assisted counseling takes place in a natural setting among equines (horses and donkeys). Clients work with a therapeutic team consisting of a licensed mental health professional, a qualified equine specialist, and carefully selected therapy equines. The relationship with the horse becomes a safe space for our clients to explore, reflect, grow, and heal. Some of these benefits include:
- Feeling calmer and happier both during and outside counseling sessions
- Improving self-esteem and self-empowerment
- Developing more fulfilling and satisfying relationships
S.T.E.P.S. With Horses offers a cutting-edge approach to mental health care by providing both clinical therapy and post-clinical services to not only help clients get better but also stay better. Learn more about the STEPS Model.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. your tax-deductible contribution will directly impact the lives by giving the gift of healing through horses.
TAX ID: 81-5367560