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With her blonde hair pulled back in a thick ponytail, dressed in jeans and paddock boots, which bore a coat of mud from the weeks of rainy weather, she hardly looked old enough to be the mother of a teenager.
Glancing out the window at the robin's egg-blue sky, she was nearly giddy with anticipation. Rain or shine, she regularly makes the 45-minute drive from her home in Bluffton to Deep Sigh Horse Farm on Keans Neck Road in Seabrook, visiting three to four times each week.
For Taylor, who works from home for CareCore International, the barn is her "happy place," a welcome escape from the computer.
LONG LOVE AFFAIR
Taylor began riding at age 6 and instantly fell in love.
"I remember telling my mom, 'I'm going to have a whole herd of horses someday!' " Now, thanks to the close-knit family at Deep Sigh, she is living that dream and more.
Nearly 18 years ago, Taylor owned several horses but was struggling to keep up with the expenses. She came to the difficult realization that she would have to part with Belle, a quarter horse that she had owned and loved for years.
At an auction in Walterboro, Barbara O'Leary, present owner of Deep Sigh, purchased the beautiful bay mare. "She saw me crying and came over to ask if I was OK," Taylor remembers.
In a serendipitous moment, the two realized that they lived only a couple of blocks apart and both had daughters the same age. It wasn't long before they all became fast friends.
Four years ago, when Taylor's 20-year-old thoroughbred mare was in failing health, Taylor sought her long-time friend's help.
"Barbara had just purchased Deep Sigh, and she took us in," said Taylor, who lauds O'Leary's commitment to "rehabilitating both horses and people."
O'Leary, a cancer survivor, has personal experience with the power horses have to help people overcome physical and emotional difficulties. Knowing the difference riding made to her own health inspired O'Leary to help others benefit, as well.
Deep Sigh offers equine-assisted therapy to both children and adults with disabilities and participates as a foster facility for neglected horses from time to time.
As Taylor sees it, taking in horses that nobody wants helps convey the message that everyone is good enough.
"The kids get to see the value of caring for animals who are past their prime or that have a handicap, and that speaks volumes," she said.
Taylor found her friend's dedication "so invigorating, so positive" that it is no wonder she got caught up in the enthusiasm. She soon donated her horse, Rebel, to the therapy program, leased another to a young rider just beginning to show and handed over a horse trailer and an all-terrain vehicle for use on the farm.
"Her generosity and love have really come full circle," said O'Leary.
A SOCIAL PLACE
Tahya Scott can vouch for that. Suffering from epilepsy, she began riding Rebel as a therapy student.
"I just love him," she said. "Donating Rebel was the nicest thing she could have done."
Her mother, Tobi Scott, credits riding with a nine-month remission in her daughter's seizures.
"We'd changed her diet, tried everything but nothing else worked," said Tobi, who can't thank Taylor enough. "Riding means the world to my daughter."
Her involvement with the farm goes well beyond tangible contributions, though. Whether helping to direct cars at civic events like the upcoming Rockin' the Farm charity concert or assisting the children with their therapy sessions and 4-H shows, Taylor admits she just can't say no whenever there is a need.
"The farm is a very social place. There are always other riders around, and Barbara makes it so much fun with all of her community events," she said. "...It involves children, which I love, and horses, which I love, and the facility is just great."
Watching the kids go from tears of "I can't" to smiles of radiant joy is all the reward she needs. Taylor finds that working with the horses inspires the children to learn, teaching them patience, poise and sportsmanship. In turn, she finds it teaches her a thing or two, as well.
"It's empowering to learn something new," said Taylor.
In addition to 4-H and equine therapy, Deep Sigh also is a show-barn. Taylor regularly travels with the students to events and participates herself on occasion. Flashing a smile, she quipped, "Blue is our favorite color."
Seeing individuals overcome their personal challenges, sometimes even competing in non-handicapped events, is what really inspires her.
Competition aside, Taylor acknowledges that the focus is on having fun and being loving, responsible caretakers of the animals. Caring for the horses gives the children a sense of belonging.
With her daughter heading off to college, Taylor has aspirations of obtaining certification as a trainer under the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association so she can continue to experience that exhilaration.
"It is nice to be needed," she said.
