Equest has been improving the lives of children and adults with special needs since 1981. It was the first nonprofit in Texas to offer therapeutic horsemanship programs for people with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. In fact, our client roster includes over 115 different diagnoses. Our 34 therapy horses provide life-changing results: We see people taking their first steps, speaking their first words, or learning to compete for a ribbon and be part of a team for the first time. It's a very special place where clients feel at home in the beautiful surroundings of our campus which is located in southern Dallas at the edge of the Great Trinity Forest. It's a place where horses speak volumes to our clients by encouraging, loving, and accepting them just as they are. At Equest, one can feel the special connection of instructors and volunteers for every participant, whether it's their first session or they've been riding with us for many years. It's a place where parents find hope when they see the progress, confidence, and goals achieved by their family member - progress that they'd been told would most likely never happen.
The programs offered at Equest include:
The Benefits: in addition to developing core and muscle strength, head control, spinal alignment, gait improvement, our programs provide:
· Self-confidence
· Self-control
· Attention focus
· Motor Sequencing
· Social Emotional Intelligence
· Communication and Non-verbal Cues
· Directionality
· Mobility and Orientation
· Spatial Awareness
Equest's mission is to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs by partnering with horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted activities and therapies.
Any amount makes a difference for our horses, clients, volunteers, and staff members. We are eager to serve our community and your support makes that possible. Equest is expanding its reach into the southern Dallas neighborhoods by offering literacy classes and partnering with local high schools to provide opportunities for community service hours and internships.
$25,000 - Average cost of acquiring a therapy horse
$10,000 - Cost for veterans to attend two semesters of group therapy
$5,000 - Sponsors care of 1 of Equest's therapy horses for 1 year
$2,500 - Scholarships for 10 therapeutic horsemanship clients
$1,000 - Literacy program materials for 50 first graders
$500 - 1 semester of a client's tuition
$250 - 2 PT/OT sessions
$120 - 1 counseling session
$60 - 1 safety helmet
$40 - 1 bag of feed and bale of hay
$25 - Carrots and treats for the horses
Equest values diversity, equity, and inclusivity and is committed to having a diverse board and staff that reflect the communities that Equest serves.
Organization name
Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship
Causes
Intellectual, Developmental, and Physical Disabilities, Social Services, Veterans
Operating Budget
$1,000,000 - $2,999,999
Counties Served
Dallas
BIPOC Leadership
Executive Director/CEO
Equity Statement
Equity Statement
Address
PO Box 171779