Standing Ovation by Ovation Riding

This week’s honoree: Equest’s “Gift of the Horse” campaign.

Photo courtesy of Equest

Each week, Horse Nation teams up with Ovation Riding to spotlight an individual or organization doing good work in the horse world. Today, we’re recognizing Equest of Texas and its “Gift of the Horse” fundraising campaign.

Equest is a therapeutic riding center based in Wylie, Texas whose mission statement is “to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs using horses to bring hope and healing through equine assisted activities and therapies.”

The program, founded in 1981, is the oldest therapeutic riding program in Texas and has now become the largest non-profit therapeutic riding program in the state as well. Equest serves children and adults with all types of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

In addition to the facility in Wylie, Equest expanded in 2015 to the Texas Horse Park in Dallas, which expanded Equest’s outreach for children as well as veterans.

For the 2016 holiday season, Equest has developed the Gift of a Horse campaign, helping donors to visualize exactly how their donation helps Equest further its mission:

$5,000 gives the Gift of Strength and provides for a therapy horse for a year.
$2,500 gives the Gift of Independence and covers one semester of program expenses for a client.
$1,000 gives the Gift of Wellness and provides a semester of counseling for a veteran or their family member
$500 gives the Gift of Confidence and provides safety equipment for our clients.
$250 gives the Gift of Education to the community through our Equest Mini Ambassadors.
$100 gives the Gift of Improved Health and provides a therapist for an occupational therapy session.
$60 gives the Gift of Fun and provides therapeutic lesson tools.
$25 gives the Gift of Nourishment and feeds 10 therapy horses for a week.

If you’d like to make a donation, visit Equest’s website to learn more. You can also follow Equest on Facebook for more updates.

Many thanks thanks to Ovation Riding for their support of both Horse Nation and individuals and organizations that are doing good work in the horse world. If you know someone who deserves a Standing Ovation, we would love to recognize them in a future post. Email the name of the person or organization along with a message about the good work they do to [email protected]. Photos/videos are always welcome, and include a link to their website if applicable.