Timothy
Barnaby Hayes passed peacefully at his home in Johnson, Vt., on
August 17, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was
born February 12, 1945, in Greenwich Village, N.Y., the son of the
late Shirley and James Hayes.
Tim
is survived by his wife Stephanie; his son, Richard Hayes;
stepdaughters, Tori Lockhart and Eliza Lockhart; brothers Dennis
Hayes (Martha), Chris Hayes and Kerry Hayes; nieces, Ali, Zoe and
Piper Hayes; and half-sister, Betsy Post. He will always be
remembered for his warmth, acceptance, generosity and love. He was a
dedicated husband, brother, father, friend, confidant and mentor to
many.
Tim
grew up in close-knit Greenwich Village, N.Y., with his three
brothers as his best friends. He graduated from the High School of
Music and Art in New York City, excelling on the basketball court and
playing the trumpet.
Tim
graduated from the University of Vermont in 1967 with a degree in
psychology. He would later become an adjunct professor at his alma
mater, in addition to Vermont State University and the University of
Connecticut, where he shared his knowledge of the horse and human
relationship with his students. Postcollege, Tim joined the Vermont
National Guard as an airman. After serving, he continued to find
excitement watching the Green Mountain Boys train in the sky in his
later years.
Following
in his father’s footsteps, Tim began to cultivate a career in the
film industry, representing high profile producers. By the early
1980s he founded Timothy Hayes & Company, Inc., which became a
successful business, representing several directors and production
companies in Los Angeles, New York and London. Tim’s life changed
in 1983 when he joined the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was
a dedicated sponsor and championed others in AA through the
candidness of his own struggles and his commitment to personal
growth. He reached the milestone of 42 years of sobriety.
In
the early 1990s, Tim dove into the world of horses after a vacation
out west that resulted in his first unforgettable ride. Immediately
drawn to the connection he felt with horses, Tim became increasingly
curious about what we as humans can learn from their intuitive
nature. He became a dedicated student of natural horsemanship. Tim
studied under the forefathers of the horsemanship movement. Now
donning a cowboy hat and boots, he spent summers driving, branding
and caring for cattle on the Black Ranch in rural Idaho. The tough
Western hero that Tim once only saw as a role to play in a movie
became his reality.
Now
in his midlife and an expert in his own right, Tim transitioned into
his second career as a riding instructor at the former Chelsea
Equestrian Facility in New York City and spent ten years leading
trail rides at the historic Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk, N.Y. Tim
went on to become an internationally known clinician, helping people
deepen their relationship with their horse and ultimately with
themselves. Tim’s teachings facilitated breakthrough revelations in
his students, leading to changed lives and inspired futures. As Tim
noticed these impacts, he was especially drawn toward a focus on
equine therapy, the psychology of the horse and what we can learn
from the herd about communication, healing and love.
One
of Tim’s proudest accomplishments was authoring two books that
explore the connection between horses and humans. His first, Riding
Home: The Power of Horses to Heal, is widely loved by the equine
community, as well as those interested in the psychology of healing.
His second book, Horses, Humans and Love: Powerful Lessons from
the Herd, examines communication and leadership through Tim’s
personal life stories.
Tim’s
greatest joy in life was his wife, Stephanie. They met in 2012 and
created a life together on their horse farm in Johnson, Vt. He was
her unwavering support system and showed his unconditional love every
day. Through their mutual passion for horses, Tim and Stephanie
became a true power couple in the equine industry. His relationship
with Stephanie is a testament of him practicing what he preached:
love, compassion, acceptance, patience, understanding and commitment.
Tim
was met in the next life by his horse, Austin, who was his steadfast
partner for 25 years. The cowboy has ridden off into the sunset.
As
he would say, “May the Horse be with you.”
A
celebration of Tim’s life will be held on September 6, 2025, at his
home in Johnson, Vt. Please RSVP to Stephanie Hayes at
[email protected].
In
lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his name to Champlain Adaptive Mounted Program (CHAMP).