Rainbow Acres, LLC

     Rainbow Acres is family owned and operated by Sandra & Ralph Hammond whose many years of experience with multiple horse breeds and multiple areas of the horse industry offers advantages to their customers that is beyond the ordinary. 
 
     Ralph's interest in horses began with walking, racking and quarter horses where he enjoyed riding for pleasure. He was instrumental in the operation of his local Saddle Club serving as President, assisting with trail rides and other club functions.  Ralph fell in love with the American Saddlebred Horse where his interest turned to shows and show horses.  He worked tirelessly behind the scenes and as Ring Master & Steward for SC horse shows.  He purchased a weanling stallion named Rainbow's Sensation who grew into a huge beauty with striking presence and a wonderful temperment.  Rainbow's Sensation became a beloved family member and was the inspiration for the farm name. Ralph showed Rainbow's Sensation's offspring in futurity and young horse classes in the Southeast including the N.C. State Championship Horse Show Reserve Champion Yearling, Rainbow's Big Time. 

     Sandra's love of horses began when her Dad put her on her first horse at the age of four.  Her Dad and grandfather owned Standardbred race horses and her Dad loved the Arabian horse in his later years.  Sandra grew up riding hunters and dressage and considered it a challenge to ride and study different breeds and disciplines.

     Together in 1972 they formally began Rainbow Acres where they bred, trained and showed American Saddlebred Horses.  Ralph trained horses in harness while Sandra broke youngsters to ride. Ralph competed in Futurity and "In Hand" classes with young horses while Sandra showed under saddle in 3 and 5 gaited classes in the Carolinas and throughout the southeast.  Sandra served on the Board of Directors for the American Saddlebred Association of the Carolinas and worked at the Greenville, SC Horse Show, now known as the JD Massey Classic in Clemson, SC, in the horse show office assisting trainers and competitors.  Sandra has taught riding lessons for more than 35 years in the disciplines of dressage, saddleseat and huntseat.  She enjoys the diversity of working with different types of horses and styles of riding. 
    
    Rainbow's Sensation remained with the Hammonds until he was laid to rest at the farm at the age of 26.  After his death, Rainbow Acres transitioned to horse boarding, instructing riders, horse health and rehabilitation.  In 1998 Sandra became a Certified Equine Sports Massage Therapist. Additionally she has studied nutrition and health for more than 20 years with experts & vet specialists that include Dr. R. Golob, Don Doran, Carol Komitor, Judy Sinner, Dr. M. Adams, Teresa Tapp & Dr. E. Kellon.  Sandra currently assists many Equine and Pet Nutrition clients nationwide.  In addition to managing the farm, instructing and working with nutrition clients, Sandra is also a Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner and studied Animal Communication with Judy Byers.  She is able to integrate therapies for the support of the entire horse and pet for her clients.  As a clinician, she also teaches Beginner Horsemanship and Natural Horse Care as well as hosting different types of workshops and clinics at the farm.

     Although Ralph and Sandra are currently retired from horse shows, life is still quite busy with the daily horse care of all different breeds of horses they board and care for including retired and rehab horses with their daughter Lynn Bell assisting.  Nutrition consulting, teaching students, equine body work, further studies, being a clinician as well as hosting clinics keeps life interesting.  Their dedication to honesty and individual custom care of all horses, customer service and quality in all they do sets them apart from other equine centers. 

Member of:
Certified Horsemanship Association
International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals