Small Towns, Wisconsin Southwest Region Winter 2014 | Page 15

Looking down at the snow-covered land where the new indoor riding
arena will soon stand, I remember my kind and sweet mother-in-law, Betty
Waelti, the woman who inspired it all. Betty was a loving mother, an active
member of her church, and a leader at McFarland Senior Center. She gave
generously to various groups in the community.
The Special Olympics in particular held a special spot in her heart considering
that she had a niece with Down Syndrome. Betty understood the joys and
sorrows of raising a child with special needs. We think Betty would be proud
of the path we have chosen, upgrading our horsemanship school to include
children with special needs. Even though Betty was afraid of horses!
At Waelti Horse Farm, our philosophy is that anyone can learn to be a good
horseman or horsewoman and can be a lifelong learner. We trust that
the bond we help create between the horse and rider, and the rider and
teacher, extends beyond our little farm. Horses and ponies are the greatest
teachers. The warmth of their bodies, their soft eyes, and the way they move
all help children feel comfortable with them.
Our !