Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Inc.

Equest serves 185+ clients ages 2 through over 100 with physical, Mental and social/emotional challenges each week on a year round basis. Our center is on a 34+ acre horse farm located in Rockford, MI. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our program - without them we would not exist! We are always accepting volunteers and volunteer groups. No experience needed! To inquire about more information, call 616-866-3066. For volunteering information, reach out to Volunteer Coordinator, Toni Cummings, at [email protected], or for info on our Therapeutic Riding program, contact our Program Coordinator, Kelly Alcock, at [email protected].

We improve 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.

Horseback riding transports individuals with special needs into a new, unexplored world providing a sense of independence and freedom that defies disabilities. When riding, individuals escape their braces, crutches, wheelchairs and disabilities, replacing them with the gentle gait of a well-trained horse. Therapeutic Riding is widely recognized as an effective rehabilitation tool in the treatment of children and adults experiencing a wide range of physical, cognitive, developmental, and social/ emotional disabilities, many of whom despite their young age have spent what seems to be a lifetime in traditional therapy sessions. To see their faces light up with happiness as they sit up on their horse and bury their hands, arms and sometimes even faces into their furry friend is truly a sight to behold. In this setting, activities that would typically be called work are easily disguised as fun!

Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding serves 185+ riders with physical, mental and social/emotional challenges, ages 2- 100 with a list of 70+ individuals waiting to participate in programming. Equest is the only program in our area that offers a YEAR ROUND therapeutic riding program. This is a critical piece for many individuals with disabilities. This helps to prevent regression and foster greater physical, mental, emotional and social improvement and benefits experienced due to a consistent riding therapy schedule throughout the year. Our program is also one of only two programs in the state that owns its own farm, complete with an outdoor riding arena, heated indoor arena, barn, classroom and rest room and our specially designed, one of a kind, mile long, Saddle Safari Sensory Riding trail. Equest serves many individuals in areas such as job training and vocational skills from area schools & group homes, equine facilitated mental health program, and nationally recognized music therapy on horseback program which combines the therapeutic riding program in the arena with music therapy. Our Carriage Driving program for those with special needs will begin in 2018! Vital to our program is our dedicated crew of volunteers who donated over 55,600 hours of service in 2018 alone.

Equest instructors are certified by PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Our staff includes licensed teachers and degreed professionals. Because of its varied benefits, Therapeutic Riding has been recognized as a beneficial mode of therapy by the American Physical and Occupational Therapy Associations.

At Equest Center riders astride specially trained horses enjoy lessons designed to promote skills in the following areas:

Physical Benefits - Improved balance, posture & coordination (fine and gross motor skills), faster reflexes, improved motor planning, stretching of tight or spastic muscles, decreased spasticity, increased range of motion, reduction of abnormal movement patterns, improved respiration and circulation, improved appetite and digestion, provides sensory integration, normalization of muscle tone, increased strength & stamina, endurance and relaxation.

Mental Benefits - Strengthens auditory short term memory, improves visual memory, sequencing, patterning and motor-planning, improves math and reading skills, problem solving, spatial relationships, strengthens ability to follow directions, improved eye-hand coordination

Social / Emotional Benefits - Provides general sense of well-being, improved self-confidence, Increased interest in outside world and interest in ones own life, develops patience, emotional control and self-discipline, provides sense of normality, improves communication skills, develops courage and a willingness to take risks, social relationships, breaks down barriers, teaches kindness and develops a respect and love for animals.

We started back in 1990 serving just 16 special needs clients on 7 acres of land each week. Today, Equest proudly serves 185+ special needs individuals weekly on 34+ acres of land throughout the entire year! Over the years we have continued to expand our therapy options to address additional needs of our clients.

Current Equine-Assisted Therapy programs include:

• Year-long Therapeutic Riding program for special needs individuals
• Music Therapy on Horseback
• Saddle Safari Sensory Riding Trail - Mile-long outdoor riding trail with specialized sensory stations and pathways to serve the needs of those with Sensory Processing Disorder (Created with input from Occupational and Physical Therapists from Mary Free Bed)
• Summer Horsemanship Day Camp - 8 week-long sessions were offered this summer for those 8 years old and up of all abilities. Camp runs run from 9-2 daily with a horse show for the campers on the final day each week.
• Horses as Healers Program - Serving individuals who have been touched by cancer
• Vocational/Job training for teens through adults from schools, group homes, rehabilitation facilities... These individually tailored programs teach vital organizational skills, work skills, communication skills and give many a sense of purpose, pride and accomplishment which is priceless!
• Horses and Heroes - working with United States Veterans & Injured Military
• TEAM EQUEST - Volunteer program /partnerships with hundreds of organizations, boy scouts, girl scouts, churches, schools, businesses for group volunteer and retreat opportunities.
• Adaptive Carriage & Cart Driving program
• On site, hands on learning and internship opportunities and partnerships with Colleges, medical teaching institutions, and high schools in the area.
• Team Building Programming
• Senior Saturdays ~ Connecting with the Elderly
• Pony Express ~ Minis on a Mission Visiting schools, homes hospitals, hospice, & throughout the community

We are blessed to be a part of such a powerful mission. Thank you to our West Michigan Community for standing strong with Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding for the past30 years and helping us to grow and serve more individuals in even more impactful ways.