Andra Ebert established the miniature equine visiting nonprofit, Heartland Mini Hoofs, in 2014 in central Illinois with the idea of taking her American Miniature Horses on the road to spread joy to young and old through equine companionship.
Described by The American Miniature Horse Association as “no bigger than a large dog,” American Miniature Horses are mini “versions of well-balanced horses” that are gentle and affectionate. Ebert’s miniature horses were perfect for visiting vulnerable people in such places as nursing homes, hospitals, Alzheimer’s units, senior homes and schools.
Heartland Mini Hoofs trotted throughout central Illinois for several years. But, the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, and the miniature hoofs stalled. Ebert, the mother of two grown children and four grandchildren, faced what mothers have experienced through the ages when presented with “youngsters” stuck at home for a length of time—boredom.
“March 2020. I had two visits, and then the pandemic was declared, so we were done,” said Ebert, who lives in Taylorville, Illinois, with her husband, Bill. “It was hard on the horses because they were so used to going and seeing people all the time that all of a sudden it was just us, and they’re like, ‘Well, we’re pretty bored with you.’”
As resourceful mothers will do, Ebert thought of a plan to get the miniature horses moving and eventually took them on a few outside visits to facilities in the summer of 2021 to relieve the loneliness of people sequestered to their rooms. Continued lockdowns, however, made communication difficult for residents who weren’t allowed to open their windows.
“Every facility, of course, plants all nice plants around their building, so it was trying to get my fat (backside) between the building, and the bushes, and the horse, and of course, then the horse is eating all the bushes,” Ebert said. “And I’m going ‘No. No. No. You can’t do that. Stop that. Stop that. Stop eating the bushes.’
“Those weren’t the best of times.” But today, Heartland Mini Hoofs is back to making four or five visits weekly. Ebert, couldn’t be happier, but even more pleased may be the people the miniature horses Jasper, 10, and Oliver, 2, visit. “These two sweet horses stole our hearts!!!! What a great treat on such a gloomy day!!!!” Concordia Village—A Lutheran Senior Services Community in Springfield, Illinois, posted on its Facebook page.
Kindness is as Kindness Does
Despite coronavirus-related setbacks, Ebert continues to make the world a better place, an attribute formally recognized in 2017 when she was named Illinois Mother of the Year through the organization American Mothers, Inc. Since 1935, American Mothers has honored women who inspire by exhibiting “a mother’s unconditional love, inner strength, and courage,” culminating in the designation of a national Mother of the Year, the organization’s website said.
Women named “Mothers of the Year” become part of the American Mothers organization and continue in charitable activities, much like Ebert, who is a registered nurse and licensed social worker with a master’s degree in gerontology, the study of aging. She worked for several years in a hospital’s social service department.
Heartland Mini Hoofs visitation program involves old and young, as it has a kindness program and an anti-bullying program for kids and more. Ebert reads “Winnie the Mini Horse,” a children’s book she wrote with her daughter, Morgan, during libraries’ summer reading programs. The book follows Winnie as “she leaves the only home she has known and goes to a brand-new place,” a place where Andi and Ryan go to her stall to shout, “Welcome Home!”
“We read the book, and then I talk to the kids about what’s a character in the book, and who do you think the characters are,” Ebert said. “I leave the horses out in the hallway so they don’t see them, so then we talk about, ‘Well, Jasper is a character’… then I bring the characters in for them to meet.”
Ebert hopes to leave Heartland Mini Hoofs to her grandchildren. “It’s important for them to know that volunteerism is part of what makes us a community. That’s why we’re all here. If you’re not here to help other people, why are you here?” Ebert said.
