Our Story

S.M.I.L.E.’s Mission

Our mission is to provide recreational therapy on horseback for children and adults with a physical, mental, or speech disability. We teach them a life time skill and enhance their quality of life and give their families hope.

Our History

Stephanie’s Miracles in Loving Equine (S.M.I.L.E. Inc.) started providing recreational therapy on ponies for children in 1992 on a farm in Madison, Nebraska, with one pony and nine students, founded by Patty Prauner. A few years prior to 1992, Stephanie and her mother stopped by the Prauners when they had the ponies and horses out. Stephanie was six years old with a paralysis. We just put her on the pony and she loved it. We started doing this on a regular basis and Stephanie’s quality of life was enhanced. She smiled and laughed the whole time on her pony and accomplished task that thought not possible.

Because of Stephanie, we are now providing this service to 135 students per week. We are the only therapeutic riding program in the area. Our students come from 36 surrounding towns, some of them traveling two hours.

Our Values

S.M.I.L.E. Inc. provides recreational therapy on horseback to individuals (of all ages) and disabilities. Our rides experience the world from the top of a horse in a safe, positive and encouraging environment. To improve each student's quality of life by teaching them life time skills and inspire them to never stop trying to reach their goals.

We keep lessons affordable  that can benefit from recreational therapy on horseback in our community and surrounding communities in Northeast Nebraska.