ABOUT AUDREY SCHMIDT · FOUNDER
Dayspring was born out of a divine plan for my personal growth and healing.
I often say I was born a horsewoman — but it wasn’t until my 40th Christmas, when my late husband surprised me with a saddle and riding lessons, that my passion for horses truly came to life.
Growing up the third of four children, my love of horses — and at times, even my voice — went largely unnoticed. Like many, I moved through life’s seasons doing the best I could: childhood, adolescence, marriage, motherhood, divorce, and the complexities of blending families. Along the way came a growing family — grandchildren and now great-grandchildren — each one a deep source of joy.
In 2019, my husband and I felt led to leave the Texas heat behind and retire to the mountains of North Carolina. What I didn’t fully realize then was that this move was part of a much larger plan — one that would become the foundation for Dayspring.
It was here that my journey of true healing began. Through study, reflection, and lived experience, I came to understand how deeply our early stories shape who we become. For much of my life, I had been living in survival mode without realizing it. That awareness sparked the most meaningful season of growth I’ve ever known.
In the midst of my training, I lost my husband of 35 years to lung cancer, and entered a deeper chapter — learning what it truly means to grieve. It was through grief movement practice that I discovered a gentle, embodied way to move through pain at my own pace. That experience now allows me to walk alongside others in their own healing.
Looking back, I can see how each step prepared me for this work. Dayspring was created as a place of hope, restoration, and transformation — where people can reconnect with themselves, examine what shaped them and step into something new.
It is my privilege to offer this work to those seeking personal growth, and to caregivers, leaders, and helpers who need a place to rest and be renewed. My faith has shaped my journey, but I welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs. My role is not to impose — it is to support you, right where you are.
I look forward to hearing your story and walking alongside you.
the dayspring herd
At Dayspring, the herd is as much a part of the heart of this place as the land itself. Each horse arrived with its own story, its own personality, and its own way of teaching us something new. Together, they form a small but mighty family — and every day with them is a gift.
Phantom is a 17-year-old paint gelding who has been by my side since he was four. In thirteen years, we've covered a lot of ground together — literally and figuratively. He has taught me patience, presence, and the art of listening. Our partnership deepens with every trail we explore and every camping trip we take under the open sky.
Phantom is expressive, confident, and more than willing to let you know exactly what he thinks. When Shimmer arrived with equally clear opinions, there was a spirited round of negotiating before peace settled over the pasture. These days, Phantom remains the herd's anchor.
Shimmer is a stunning 5-year-old Kentucky Mountain mare who made the journey from Florida to North Carolina in November 2022 — arriving alongside Duncan in what I lovingly call horse girl math. I went to look at one horse and came home with two. No regrets.
Last fall we began our riding partnership, and we head into this season eager to build on it — exploring local trails and growing together. She is gentle, curious, and full of quiet confidence, the kind of horse that makes you a better horsewoman.
Duncan is a 4-year-old Rocky Mountain gelding — and the reason Shimmer is here. I had decided my next trail partner would be a gaited horse, and a trip to Florida sealed the deal the moment I saw him. At just 11 months old, it was love at first sight. After a short introduction, he walked right up and loaded into the trailer as if he already knew he was coming home. He was too young to make that ride alone, so his pasture mate Shimmer came along — and just like that, the Dayspring herd grew by two.
Duncan is playful, affectionate, and full of the youthful energy that reminds you why you fell in love with horses in the first place. We can't wait to watch him grow into his role in the therapy herd.
organizing principles:
What Guides Every Session at Dayspring
Consent applies to everyonE - you and the horses
You are never pushed into something you’re not ready for. Neither are the horses. Sessions are built around invitation, not pressure. Saying "not today" is practicing one of the skills we’re here to build.
Connection cannot coexist with control
This is the organizing principle of the entire model. If it isn't good for both the human and the horse, it isn't good for the relationship. What you practice here with animals is what becomes available to you in relationship with people. We don’t use reward systems or consequences to get results. What produces change here is the connection with your equine partner — not a script or a technique.
The Horses matter too
Horse welfare isn’t a nice add-on — it’s at the center of how we work. Learning to care about another being’s experience is often one of the most powerful parts of the whole program.