Irene Graves started working with horses at a tender age of 7, training a wild pony to ride. Her love and interest of horses grew through 4-H, high school rodeo, college, graduate school, and ranch work.

Irene developed a program called “Reins and Lines.” A series of workbooks designed to create and enhance lines of communication, confidence and promote a comfort level between a horse and human.

While in graduate school she became active in the American Driving Society by competing, driving and participating in judging clinics. Horses were not only an emotional support system but became her source of income while she earned her Ph. D.

Irene's desire to help people work with their horses really began to develop when she worked with a young girl who suffered from cerebral palsy. This young girl refused to walk, but would pull her leg braces over the little pony she rode. This gave Irene a new concept of just how powerful the horse is to the soul of a man. Later Irene joined the Personal Ponies Ltd, an organization providing ponies to those who have special needs and became involved in the Heartland Therapeutic Equine Riding Academy.

Irene has also expanded the equine curriculum at the Northeast Community College by creating an Equine Driving Introductory course.