The Equest Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit therapeutic riding program serving over 125 children and adults with disabilities each year. The program operates 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from April through November. We offer three semesters - Spring, Summer, and Fall, with corresponding tuition per semester, based on the type of service you would like.

Eligibility Requirements & Admittance Process
Participant Safety Equipment & Attire Policy
Parental Involvement & Student Safety
2008 Tuition & Calendar
Service Options & Descriptions
Payment Policy
Scholarship Options | Tuition Funding Options
Refund/Credit Policy
Lesson Cancellation Policy
Student Dismissal and Discharge Policy

Service Options & Descriptions
Therapeutic Riding is conducted by nationally certified therapeutic riding instructors, teaching adaptive riding skills for recreational, educational, and therapeutic purposes. One hour of Therapeutic Riding is split between 30 minutes of grooming and 30 minutes of riding. 30 minute sessions involve riding only.

Equest's Veterans Program provides new services for disabled veterans and their immediate family members living in Maine. Equest's goal is to give those who have served our country an opportunity to learn or rediscover equestrian sports and successfully master a new skill, while providing a foundation for a positive experience, improved physical well-being, and a brighter outlook in light of sudden traumatic changes that have impacted their lives.

Therapeutic Carriage Driving is conducted by nationally certified therapeutic driving instructors. One hour, private lessons provide students with lessons on grooming, harnessing and putting horses to the carriage and carriage driving techniques. For individuals unable to ride a horse, therapeutic carriage driving is an alternative service.

Hippotherapy is conducted by Equest’s on-staff occupational therapists and uses the horse as a treatment modality for the clinical purposes of occupational, physical, and speech/language therapy. Eligibility for therapeutic riding versus hippotherapy is determined at the time of the initial evaluation. A 45-minute session includes 15 minutes of pre/post ride therapy or unmounted work (grooming), and 30 minutes of riding.

Our Rider Winter Fitness Program is a 6-week program in February and March for teenaged and adult Equest riders with disabilities.

Therapeutic Grooming is conducted by our trained staff. Individuals not able to either ride or drive will learn basic ground-based horse care techniques and enjoy a wonderful human to animal bonding experience in a safe and therapeutic environment.

Our Mini-Horse Visitation Program is a visit from Equest’s miniature ambassador horse, "Beauty," who is available for visits with special needs groups in the community. She provides a unique opportunity to experience the positive horse and human interaction that embodies the spirit of Equest.

Payment Policy
Equest’s lesson program is divided into three semesters; Spring, Summer, and Fall. In 2007, our Spring semester lasts 12 weeks, the Summer session is 8 weeks and the Fall semester is 10 weeks. Tuition should be paid in full prior to the commencement of the semester’s lessons. If you are not able to pay in full, please discuss an individual payment plan with the Program Director.

Scholarship Options
If you need help covering our program fees, there are several avenues you can take. This information is provided in the Tuition Funding Options handout. In addition, as a charitable organization, Equest fundraises for student scholarships. A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available. Please inquire with the Executive Director for a Financial Assistance Application.

Refund/Credit Policy
Refunds or credits of lesson fees are available only under the following circumstances:

• If a student must withdraw for medical reasons, a physician’s statement is required.
• If a cancellation is initiated by Equest, such as staff absence and inclement weather.

For weather-based scheduling decisions, Equest uses the zone forecast for Alfred, Maine (04002) found on the National Weather Service website.

Lesson Cancellation Policy
Equest must coordinate volunteers, horse handler and instructor staff, and a horse to provide each student with a safe and effective therapy session. We feel that scheduling is paramount to meeting not only our students’ needs, but those of our staff as well. If you are unable to make your scheduled session, please call Equest at your earliest opportunity at 207-985-0374. Equest asks that a student give a 24 hour notice for any cancellation of a session. Students who fail to give this 24 hours notice more than three times may be asked to give up their spot in the program.