EQUEST

Since 1981, Equest has provided equine activities and therapies to thousands of children and adults with disabilities. Most recently, Equest began serving veterans and their family members and at-risk youth through a variety of equine assisted programming including mental health counseling, physical and occupational therapy, horsemanship clinics, and educational workshops. Equest is strategically located to serve North Texas with two locations: Wylie TX (Rockwall County) and the new opened Equest at the Texas Horse Park located in south Dallas. Equest utilizes over 300 community volunteers each week in order to provide a safe and effective program.
As the first therapeutic riding program in Texas, Equest has become one of the largest non-profit therapeutic riding centers in the state. Equest is considered an industry leader in equine assisted therapy programs and offers a unique solution to help over 1,200 individuals each year overcome physical, social, emotional and psychological challenges. Equest serves children (beginning age 2) and adults with all types of physical, cognitive, social-emotional and learning disabilities, including veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Equest client diagnosis encompass over 100 different unique disabilities and challenges.
The Horse-Human Connection
Research shows the therapeutic benefits from riding and interacting with a horse consistently provides improvement in these areas:
•Physical -The horse rhythmically and naturally moves the body in a manner similar to the human gait, improving posture, balance, core strength, muscle control and provides cardiovascular benefits.
•Psychosocially - Equine-assisted therapy increases concentration, improves sequential thought processing, increases the clients ability to articulate emotions, develop spatial awareness/orientation and expand their esteem, awareness and self-discipline.
•Life Skills – Individual goals are impacting daily living skills, fostering independence and improving peer-to-peer and family relationships resulting in increased socialization and participation at home, work/school and in their community.
Types of Programming:
Therapeutic Horsemanship
 Therapeutic Riding: Equestrian skill development in private, semi-private and group lessons. Preparation for Competition if desired.
 Therapeutic Carriage Driving: Driving skill development; one on one in a carriage and with a certified driving instructor.
 Interactive Vaulting: Team building/socialization & gymnastics techniques

Equine Assisted Therapy
 Hippotherapy: physical, occupational and speech therapy using the movement of the horse to accomplish therapy treatment goals. Private sessions
 Equine Facilitated Counseling: Mental Health issues are addressed with a team of professionals and the horse
 All therapies are conducted by licensed professionals

Veterans Programming
Equest provides veterans and their families, free of charge, programs through the Hooves for Heroes Program
 Therapeutic Riding
 Carriage Driving
 Equine Facilitated Counseling
 Hippotherapy
 Horsemanship 101
 Experiential Learning
 Group volunteer projects

Equine Facilitated Learning - Equest reaches out to the greater North Texas Community to educate, enlighten and enrich our community about the life changing effects of horses.
 Mini Ambassadors: A mobile team of specially trained miniature horses travel to teach children and adults about the unique healing bond between humans and horses.
 PALS Program: Police Athletic League program for at-risk youth

Competition – Equest offers our clients the opportunity to participate in horse shows throughout the year including: Equest’s All program Horse Show, Chisholm Challenge, Quarter Horse Congress, Special Olympics, AQHA Equestrians with Disabilities, Snaffle Bit Futurity and the Dixie Nationals

Education -Equest is an industry leader in PATH, Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship Intl.) Education and Training
 PATH Approved Workshops/Certifications and Advanced Instructor Certification Prep Course
 PATH International Approved Instructor Training Course
 Mental Health First Aid certification courses
 American Hippotherapy Workshops
 Equine Information Clinics
 Disability Awareness Clinics