Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I wear?

A: Both riders and volunteers should wear long pants and socks that come up above the ankle. We prefer that you wear a hard-soled shoe, with a low heel, like a cowboy boot or a paddock boot. Sneakers are OK but they should not have a thick and heavy tread. Please be sure that if you do wear sneakers, they are firmly tied so that they will not slip off. Open-toed shoes, sandals, and slip-on shoes cannot be worn while working around the horses. The rest of your clothing should be weather appropriate; dressing in layers is often a good option in the cooler months.

We require that ALL riders wear an ASTM-approved safety helmet while mounted or while working with our horses. You may borrow one of ours (these are routinely cleaned and maintained); or, if you wish to purchase your own, please ask your riding instructor for a recommendation as to where you can buy one.

Q: What happens if I miss a class because I am ill or have a schedule conflict?

A: If a rider misses a class due to illness or a conflict in your schedule, this will simply be counted as an absence. No make up classes can be scheduled. We are unable to issue refunds or credits for classes that you miss due to illness or a conflict in schedule.

Q: What happens if my class has been canceled due to severe weather or unsafe driving conditions?

A: Riders please call the Equest Riding Center at 972-412-1099 to find out if your class has been canceled. There will either be a person answering the phone or a recorded message with pertinent information. If we have canceled your class due to severe weather or unsafe driving condition, we will schedule a make-up lesson at the end of the session.

Q: Will insurance cover Equest fees?

A: If you are participating in therapeutic sports riding, driving or vaulting, insurance will not cover the fee. If you are a Hippotherapy client, a percentage of the fee MAY be reimbursable since the treatment codes used in Hippotherapy are PT or OT treatment codes. Whether or not your insurance will reimburse and to what extent is an agreement reached between each individual and their insurance company. We DO NOT work with insurance companies directly; however, we will provide you a receipt for our services. The client is responsible for paying the hourly fee; any reimbursement paid should be made to the individual.

Q: Do you provide financial assistance?

A: We do have a scholarship program for Hippotherapy and for group lessons in therapeutic sports riding. Please refer to the Scholarship Application for award criteria. Financial assistance social service agencies with which we currently have contracts.

Q: Is there an Equest center closer to my house?

A: Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship has only one location, located in Wylie, Texas. Many therapeutic riding centers are members of the NARHA. A list of NARHA centers can be found at http://www.narha.org/centers/findcenters.asp.

Q: Does Equest accept saddles, helmets and other in-kind donations?

A: Yes! Equest does accept tack, riding clothes and other donations. Donations can be made at the riding center or shipped to 3800 Troy Road, Wylie, Texas 75098. Please include the donors’ name, address and phone number when making a donation. You may also visit our donation page for more information.

Q: How can I volunteer?

A: To become an Equest volunteer, you must complete a volunteer application and attend a training class, which is held before each session. After training, you will choose a class. Each class is a two-hour time commitment for the span of a 10-11 week session. We also always need volunteers for special events or administrative duties, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Q: How old do I have to be to volunteer?

A: To volunteer in classes, you must be at least 14 years of age and have completed the 7th grade, with very few exceptions. To volunteer in the barn, you must be at least 12 years of age and be supervised by an accompanying adult.

Q: Can I do community service at Equest?

A: Yes. To complete community service hours for school or service groups, you must meet the Equest volunteer requirements. To complete community service restitution (court-appointed), you must be pre-approved. Please call ahead to obtain your pre-approval at 972-412-1099 x216 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .