Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We improve quality of life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Our unique program integrates academic, social and physical skills using the horse as a catalyst.
- Income
- $930,546
- Spending
- $905,338
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 2.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 90%
- Employees
- 34
- Volunteers
- 1,020
- Highest pay
- $94,823, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 44% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 92% of charities in its peer group (health care, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $713,300 spent. Equine therapy is recognized as one of the more progressive forms of therapy. It combines instruction in traditional horsemanship skills with concepts of physical therapy, occupational therapy and social/emotional therapies to improve the riders in balance, posture, coordination, strength and stamina. Riders also see improvements in areas of sequencing, spatial relationships and auditory short-term knowledge. Social and emotional benefits include improved self confidence, patience, emotional control, interest in the outside world and respect and love for animals and other people. The Equest Center also provides opportunities for senior citizens, military veterans, Gildas Club members, deaf and HOH to ride. We partner with colleges, medical teaching institutions and local high schools for hands-on learning and volunteer opportunities. The Equest Center serves 200 special needs individuals each week assisted by more than 1000 volunteers who served 50,000 hours.
- Program Accomplishments, continued Equest Center stands apart from other Equine Therapy Centers in many ways. Teachers, physicians and professionals including Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and more refer clients to Equest Center for many specific reasons: 1. Equest Center serves more special needs individuals EACH WEEK than any other equine therapy center in West Michigan and is one of two largest centers in all of Michigan. 2. Equest serves individuals with an expansive range of disabilities including those with more severe physical and mobility challenges such as brain injury, paraplegic, 4. Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding has been a PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Riding, International) Member Center since 1990. 5. Equests staff includes licensed instructors, teachers and degreed professionals including: * 9 PATH International Certified Instructors * 1 PATH International EAL Certified Instructor * 1 Certified Teacher of Deaf and Hard of Hearing K-12 * 5 Certified School Teachers including ages: Preschool - 12 * Areas of Certification: Emotionally Impaired, Cognitively Impaired, Master of Special Ed, Elementary & Secondary Ed Equest offers more specialized, unique programming options that are specifically designed to meet the needs of our clients: * Therapeutic riding program serving individuals with physical, mental and emotional disabilities on horseback; * Music therapy on horseback in conjunction with therapeutic riding program; * Senior Saturdays connecting with the elderly in the community; * Vocational and job training programs working with transition-aged individuals with special needs from rehab facilities, group homes, school districts and individual homes; * Horses for heroes serving U.S. veterans & active Military; * Summer horsemanship day camps/special star horsemanship day camps; * TEAM EQUEST volunteer program including individuals and many organizations, boy scouts, girl scouts, churches, schools and businesses for group volunteer opportunities; * Adaptive Carriage Driving Program; * Horses & Hands Advanced volunteer program; * Equine-facilitated learning; * Saddle Safari Sensory Discover Trail mile-long outdoor riding trail with specialized sensory stations and pathways specially designed to serve the needs of those with sensory processing disorder; * On site, hands-on learning and internship opportunities and partnerships with colleges, medical teaching institutions and high schools in the area;
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1990.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
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