Equest Therapeutic Riding Center, Rockford

Equest Therapeutic Riding Center’s parking lot is busier than their riding arena. Why so may cars?  Because Equest hosts 30-40 volunteers a day who are dedicated to improving the lives of the 150 disabled people (80% children) the program serves every week through therapeutic riding.  More than just providing the children with a chance to interact with animals, through structured activities on horseback, kids address their mental and physical challenges.

Equest’s trainer, Jan, is an “r” rated handicapped riding instructor who works full-time at the facility.  For free.  And Jan’s not the only full-time volunteer.  There’s also a woman who not only spends her days working at the facility, but hosts the horses during their “vacations” in her own backyard.  A gentleman in a wheelchair doesn’t take advantage of the handicapped riding lessons, but he does complete grant applications on Equest’s behalf. The most impressive aspect of the Equest organization isn’t the cleanliness of the stables... it’s the people.

People like Michael, an autistic boy who was so excited to ride that volunteers literally have to hold him back until the horse is in position.  Michael’s a large boy – but that is no problem for his mount, Honey, a 2,500 pound Percheron.  The equine counselors at Equest come in all shapes and sizes to meet the client’s needs, and they are outfitted with special equipment depending on the rider’s level of ability.

In return for their hard work and endless patience, the horses are treated like kings by the staff and volunteers.  Horses are donated to the program after a 45-day trial period to ensure their suitability and safety, and the lucky few that pass the test have a home for life.  The stalls are clean, the pastures large and free of debris, and the tack is well-fitted.

While the program relies heavily on volunteers, they could not survive without charitable contributions.  Feed, bedding, veterinarian visits and electricity bills create a high overhead – the arena is heated since the children’s physical limitations make it impossible for them to ride in the freezing cold.  Special needs riders pay $15 per lesson, and that covers only 1/3 of the actual cost.  The rest is underwritten by private donors, foundations and corporations.  If the family can’t afford the fee, it’s waived.

Donations (including a $50,000 challenge grant from Alticor) were raised to fund the purchase of the farm next door.  More than just extra pasture space, the additional acreage creates a nature trail for the riders to enjoy when the weather allows.  For those bound to wheelchairs, enjoying the outdoors from the back of a horse is as close as many of them will ever come to hiking on their own.

Equest’s staff is small but dedicated, and it’s easy to see why the volunteers show up in droves – 900 volunteers, many of them Alticor employees, put in approximately 6,000 hours each year.  Volunteers must complete a training course before they can help the riders during lessons, but the center also has a need for larger groups for clean-up projects in and around the stable – which has proved to be a perfect fit for Alticor department day away outings.