Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding

Mission: To improve the quality of life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Our unique program integrates academic, social and physical skills, using the horse as a catalyst.

Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was established as a State of Michigan non-profit corporation in 1990. The first therapy class began with just 16 riders per week using a handful of horses on 7 acres of land in Rockford, MI. Since that time the facility has grown in virtually every way – but the goal remains the same: Improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through the power of the horse. Today Equest serves 200+ individuals each week all year long on a 35 acre horse farm Rockford, MI.

Equine-based therapy for individuals with disabilities is recognized as one of the more progressive forms of therapy. It combines instruction in traditional horsemanship skills with concepts of physical therapy, occupational therapy, academic studies and social/emotional therapies to improve the riders physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

Equest’s instructors are certified by PATH International -Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. Our staff includes licensed teachers and degreed professionals.

Current Programs at Equest include:

Therapeutic Riding Program

• Horses for Heroes- Serving Veterans and active Military
• Vocational – Job training skills
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Equine Program
• Senior Saturdays – Connecting with the Elderly
• Horses As Healers – for those affected by cancer, grief and trauma
• Saddle Safari Discover Trail – Specialized Mile long Sensory Trail
• Adaptive Carriage Driving Program
• Equine Assisted Reading and Literacy Program
• TEAM EQUEST – Volunteer Program
• Minis on a Mission – Visiting schools, homes, hospitals, hospice & throughout the community.

Summer Horsemanship Day Camps

• Summer Horsemanship Special Star Day Camp
• Summer Horsemanship Deaf and Hard of Hearing Day Camp
• Summer Horsemanship Little Wranglers Day Camp
• Summer Horsemanship Advanced Rider Day Camps
• Summer Horsemanship Adult Day Camps