Equest's Mission

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. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Our organization is not a United Way Agency. We are dependent upon charitable gifts and grants to support our programs.

Meet our staff & board

View our Annual Report

Client stories

Sandra's Story

Sandra’s physician suggested equine therapy to address Sandra’s anxiety.

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Mike's Story

Mike’s psychotherapist suggested that Mike go to an equine therapy center for his PTSD, and to see if equine therapy would help with the Parkinson’s.

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Rebeca's Card to Vegas & Malibu

Our client Rebeca made a card for her two favorite horses: Vegas and Malibu.

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Joe's Story

Joe came to Equest five months ago, after spending 20 years as an Army M1 Abrams Armor Crewman.

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Victoria's Story

MS robbed Victoria of her freedom, hope, marriage, and career. This is Victoria's journey - her fight, her demand - for her life back.

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Jonathan's Story

Despite minor progress from traditional occupational, physical, and speech therapies, Jonathan's mom knew Jonathan was capable of more. She found Equest, and Jonathan found real success.

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Sara's Story

After two deployments, Sara returned to the States feeling disconnected and began isolating herself. Her life changed when she met fellow veteran Jeff who introduced her to equine therapy.

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Leah's Story

Leah started her equestrian career in Denver, but now calls Dallas' Equest home.

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Upcoming Equest Events

Equest Events

Jan 19

Jan 19, 2019

Volunteer Training

Jan 19, 2019

Join us for volunteer training on either Saturday, January 19 or Saturday, January 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You must attend one training session to be an Equest volunteer.

Jan 19, 2019

PATH Int'l Advanced Mounting & Dismounting Techniques Workshop

Jan 24

Jan 24, 2019

PATH Int'l Advanced Mounting & Dismounting Techniques Workshop

Jan 24, 2019

Improve your mounting skills by adding techniques to your tool box for riders that need more assistance- learn body mechanics for assisting riders during mounting and dismounting. Hands-on practice for all participants.

Jan 24, 2019

PATH Int'l Equine Movement Analysis & Application in Therapeutic Riding Workshop

Jan 25

Jan 25, 2019

PATH Int'l Equine Movement Analysis & Application in Therapeutic Riding Workshop

Jan 25, 2019

Learn about different types of movement provided by our equines and how this movement affects our riders while mounted. Address posture and alignment of individuals with varied disabilities and learn how to encourage neutral pelvis and shoulder-hip-heel alignment.

Jan 25, 2019

Jan 26

Jan 26, 2019

Volunteer Training

Jan 26, 2019

Join us for volunteer training on either Saturday, January 19 or Saturday, January 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. You must attend one training session to be an Equest volunteer.

Jan 26, 2019

Jan 28

Jan 28, 2019

CPR Training

Jan 28, 2019

Get CPR certified at Equest on Monday, January 28!

Jan 28, 2019

Advanced Leader Training (for volunteers)

Feb 2

Feb 2, 2019

Advanced Leader Training (for volunteers)

Feb 2, 2019

Join us for advanced leader training on Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Feb 2, 2019

Feb 8

Feb 8, 2019

Spring session begins!

Feb 8, 2019

Feb 12

Feb 12, 2019

Spring Hippotherapy session begins!

Feb 12, 2019

Feb 13

Feb 13, 2019

Lunch & Learn with the CEO

Feb 13, 2019

Join us for Lunch with the CEO on Wednesday, February 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to learn more about how to be involved with Equest. Lunch will be provided.

Feb 13, 2019

Mar 10

Mar 10, 2019 – Mar 16, 2019

Spring Break - no class

Mar 10, 2019 – Mar 16, 2019

Equest in the News

News & Media

Equest Announces Lane Cates as Chairman of the Board

Equest, a Dallas-based non-profit that enhances the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs through the human-horse connection, has announced Lane Cates as their new Chairman of the Board.

How to help your kids cope with holiday depression

While depression is certainly a common culprit (especially in kids ages 12-14), attention-deficit disorder is also a major contributor to mental health issues in children under 11, says Susannah Denney.

Equest Gala Co-Chairs Annie And Teal Griffeth’s Love Story Is The Stuff That Arabian Nights Are Made Of

Word has just arrived that “AnnTeal” will be co-chairing the 2019 Equest gala — Arabian Nights Gala — on Saturday, March 23, Sixty Five Hundred.

How equine therapy can save veterans like me

Despite the collective apathy our nation showed veterans of the Vietnam War — or perhaps because of it — we have invested a great deal of energy and money to support the latest generation of veterans as they struggle to write new chapters in civilian life.

Woman uses equine therapy to help with bone disease

Equest After Dark Gala guests had a blast at The Bomb Factory with bubbles, baubles and beads

Leading the charge for the look of the night of babes, bids and booze were Event Co-Chairs Susan and Jon Farrier and Honorary Co-Chairs Sue and Ben Casey.

Equine therapy: Therapeutic interactions with horses

Dr. Burress explained that therapeutic riding activates pathways in the brain around the parts with Parkinson's Disease.

Horse therapy helps Spina Bifida patients

By three months old, Bliss had started all kinds of therapies. By age two, she was riding her first horse at Equest.

Horseback riding therapy for autism

Working with animals can be healing for people like Brendan Pritchard.

A Night of 1920's Glamour and Modern Day Entertainment: 2018 Equest After Dark Gala

Just like The Great Gatsby himself, Equest threw an unforgettable affair for close to 500 guests last Friday, April 20, at Deep Ellum’s historic Bomb Factory. Honorary Co-Chairs Sue and Ben Casey and Co-Chairs Susan and Jon Farrier led the exciting modern speakeasy-inspired Equest After Dark Gala to celebrate the achievements of Equest’s remarkable 37-year history of enhancing the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs through the human-horse connection.