The Equest Center
for Therapeutic Riding is an organization that strives to improve the quality
of life for physically, mentally, and emotionally challenged individuals. Based
in Rockford, Michigan, Equest has a unique program that integrates academic, social
and physical skills, using the horse as a catalyst. In 1990, Equest was
established as a State of Michigan non-profit corporation and is currently
serving around 160 riders, ranging in age from 2-94. Equest would not survive
without the help of their many volunteers. Just last year, the program’s
success was made possible with over 35,000 hours of volunteer service. The
volunteers do many tasks; they prep horse, sidewalk, shovel poop, and much
more. They interact, assist and encourage the riders through their lessons. The
first time I visited Equest there were Veterans there from Grand Rapids that
were very chatty and excited to ride the horses. They groomed and interacted
with the horses, and then they got to ride the horses. Brushing the horses not
only calmed the horses, but also the Veterans. Many of the Vets had handicaps,
but this didn’t prevent them from the experience of riding a horse. The horses
gave them a sense of peace that they are not familiar with. Equest is improving
the lives of individuals with special needs through the power of their 24
horses. Everyday Equest does lessons for children and adults, who are blind, have
ADHD, and more disabilities in which riding gives them freedom. The arena is a
rectangle barn that has items along the walls that enhance their sensor skills.
For example, a mirror, mini basketball hoop and much more that benefit their
cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Each volunteer has a kind and giving
spirit, in which they assist the special needs riders during the therapy
sessions and work with the horses in the barn. There are many different reasons
why they choose to volunteer at Equest, but they all desire to make a
difference in another’s life. The guidance, safety, and encouragements that the
volunteer provides enhance the therapeutic riding lessons. These lessons
challenge the retired citizens and children who have disabilities and give them
new abilities that they have never had. Equest has many programs for
therapeutic riding; music therapy on horseback, their new sensory trail, horses
for heroes and much more activities that involve a true nonjudgmental love and
friendship with the therapy horses.
Veterans trot and weave between cones in the arena. With experience, some Veterans ride without side walkers.
Horses and riders circle the arena, stopping at the sensory objects along the wall.
High school volunteer, Amanda Harms, feeds Charlie who is ready to go into the arena. The horses are fed about three times a day.
A volunteer brings in a horse from the outside stables.
Therapy horse, Barney eats his oat from a bucket in the barn, waiting to be used in the arena.
Volunteers Sarah Lee, Whitney Lambert, and Allison Cook side walk Billy and his horse Boo around the arena.
Volunteers help the riders prepare to saddles and mount the horses.
Youth rider, Emily, peacefully takes a lap around the arena on Rosie the horse.
Horses are done with grooming and now await their time in the arena.
No comments:
Post a Comment