Since 1981, Equest has changed the lives of children, adults, and veterans with special needs through equine assisted therapies. Learn more at www.equest.org
Their programs focus on the powerful connection between people and horses to enhance physical and emotional strengthening. Our beautiful 45-acre campus is southeast of downtown Dallas on the edge of the Great Trinity Forest. The campus includes two covered arenas, and a barn with 34 therapy horses. The staff and over 600 volunteers work tirelessly to achieve Equest's mission every day. Equest is a
premiere center accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
07/03/2025
We’re heartbroken to share that our sweet Ellie passed away yesterday from colic. Though she joined us just a year and a half ago, on Valentine’s Day, Ellie made a lasting impact on our programs, especially in therapeutic horsemanship and counseling. Her sudden loss will be deeply felt by everyone who knew and loved her.
We’re incredibly grateful for the outstanding care Ellie received. Our sincere thanks go to Dr. Arnold, Dr. Gilcrest, and their dedicated teams who did everything they could to help her. As we share this difficult news, we invite you to visit the small memorial at Ellie’s stall, created for anyone who would like to take a moment to say goodbye or quiet reflection. You are welcome to stop by anytime between now and next Wednesday, July 9th.
06/24/2025
A big THANK YOU to and for highlighting our literacy program at Equest!
We’re proud to share how our incredible horses are helping children build confidence and strengthen reading skills in a whole new way.
Check out the full story here:
🔗
Could horses hold the secret to teaching more children to read? That's the hope of Equest, a therapeutic riding center in Dallas with a literacy program for first graders.
05/29/2025
Future riding instructors - this is your sign!
Join us June 6–9 at Equest for the PATH Intl. CTRI Instructor Skills Clinic
This 4-day clinic is your gateway to becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. No prerequisites - just bring your passion for horses and teaching!
Registration deadline is June 2 - don’t wait!
Register now: [email protected]
Questions? Contact Kirsten at [email protected]
05/26/2025
This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Their courage and dedication will not be forgotten. At Equest, we are proud to support our military community by offering free services to veterans. It’s our way of giving back to those who have given so much. To learn more about our programs, visit www.equest.org.
05/26/2025
The Dallas Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service have informed us that there is a high confidence of strong to severe thunderstorms impacting the City of Dallas tonight. Because of this, the Dallas Memorial March will conclude tonight at 8:30pm and will not continue into Monday. All scheduled events for Monday are cancelled. We are extremely grateful for the participants who have joined us this year in Dallas and across the country to honor our nation’s heroes.
05/21/2025
Meet the heart of Equest. In this powerful video, three of our incredible clients share how partnering with horses has brought hope, healing and transformation into their lives.
At Equest, our mission is to enhance lives through equine-assisted activities and therapies, and these stories show the impact in motion.
Watch, feel inspired and help continue the journey of healing. We encourage you to share this video with family & friends. https://vimeo.com/1082623769?share=copy =0
05/20/2025
After nine incredible years of dedication, Christine is retiring from her role as Director of Advancement at Equest. It’s a bittersweet farewell, as Christine has been an integral part of our journey, championing our mission, and helping tell the powerful stories of our impact. Her leadership, passion, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on Equest, and we are endlessly grateful for all she has given. Please join us in wishing Christine all the best in this next chapter. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, you will always be a part of the Equest family!
05/19/2025
Calling all aspiring riding instructors! Join us June 6–9 at Equest for the PATH Intl. CTRI Instructor Skills Clinic. This 4-day clinic is perfect for those looking to become certified through PATH Intl. and lead equine-assisted services like therapeutic riding lessons.
No prerequisites required - just a passion for horses and teaching!
Ready to register? Email [email protected] to register through PATH
Questions? Contact Kirsten at [email protected]
Visit: www.equest.org/path-workshops to learn more
05/19/2025
Communities Foundation of Texas is proud to present North Texas Gives to Animals from May 15-31, 2025. Throughout the two-week fundraising event, donors can explore and give to any of 300 participating arts organizations. If you would like to make a donation to Equest, you can do so online at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/donate/equest
After you make your gift, encourage your friends and family to be a Giving Hero like you and share this post on social!
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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. Equest is a 501 (c) (3) public charity, IRS Tax ID 75-1823701.
Founded in 1981, Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship was the first therapeutic riding center in Texas. Our program quickly became an industry leader, building a solid base in the North Texas community serving thousands of clients with our unique therapy partners - our horses!
Equest provides equine facilitated activities, therapies, and counseling to children and adults with physical, cognitive, sensory, coping, social, and learning disabilities and veterans with adjustment challenges. The services provided include physical and occupational therapy, equine facilitated counseling, therapeutic carriage driving, therapeutic horsemanship, and competition.
Equest was the first PATH International Premier Accredited Center in Texas, and remains one of the largest in the country. Equest offers an engaging volunteer program that provides 40,000 hours of direct program service opportunities each year. Equest was named “2015 Non-Profit of the Year” by CNM Connect.
When Equest began more than 38 years ago, we had five riders, two horses, one instructor and 10 volunteers. We have certainly expanded since 1981. Equest now boasts 30 therapy horses, 10 instructors, three therapists, one counselor, and more than 400 volunteers; lives are changed on a daily basis for more than 2,000 clients served annually.
In May of 2017 Equest consolidated to the Texas Horse Park just south of Dallas. Texas Horse Park, a city-owned 304-acre site located in the heart of the Great Trinity Forest, is just eight miles from Downtown Dallas. Equest at Texas Horse Park currently has 38 stalls, a covered arena, outdoor arena, and 6,000-square feet of administration and therapy space. It is also home to Hooves for Heroes, one of the fastest-growing services at Equest, which empowers veterans, first responders, and military families to take charge of their civilian transition, and assume new roles within the community through equine activities and therapies.
Equest's HOOVES FOR HEROES empowers veterans and military families to take charge of their civilian transitions and assume new roles as civic leaders.
Thanks to generous grant funding, charitable donations and underwriting, our Equest Veterans Program services are offered at no cost to active duty service personnel, members of the Guard or Reserve, or any veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their immediate family members.
Equest's programs are individually tailored to meet the unique needs of the client. Our goal is to leverage the power of the horses to ease the participant's transition to civilian life and help them realize their potential as civic assets and community leaders. Among the benefits:
