We are honored to share our 2023 Annual Report with you. As the new CEO of Equest since July of 2024, I have reviewed the history and legacy of Equest made possible by the generosity of people like you. Our tagline, “Humans - Horses - Hope, “ represents more than words. This is the heart of our mission unfolding here every day and transforming countless lives for the better. Thank you for making that a reality for the children, adults, veterans and community members we serve. I know that many other nonprofits ask for support and you have to make choices, but I want to assure you that an investment in Equest’s mission brings huge returns for our clients. Stronger bodies, calmer minds, increased selfesteem and confidence, freedom from the confines of limitation - all through the human-horse connection. These are priceless experiences for our clients. We are deeply grateful to you for making it possible. Please know that my door is always open. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Eric Lindh, CEO elindh@equest.org
Our 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.
Our Programs
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Our therapeutic riding instructors teach equestrian skills to participants with special physical, cognitive, sensory, learning, social, or emotional needs.
Reading Quest with Equest
Equest Mini Ambassadors help encourage 1st grade students to read while targeting literacy skills such as rhyming and increasing vocabulary.
Corporate Team Building Workshops
Team Up is Equest’s Corporate Team Building through Equine-Assisted Development program. It helps employees connect, engage and make a difference as all proceeds support Equest’s mission.
Physical & Occupational Therapy
Equest’s therapy services provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy using the movement of the horse to accomplish therapy treatment goals.
Equine Assisted Counseling
Mental health issues are addressed with a team of professionals and the horse. All therapies are conducted by licensed professionals.
Mini Horse Ambassadors
Our team of specially trained miniature therapy horses deliver the message of therapeutic horsemanship to people at locations that cannot accommodate a full-sized therapy horse.
Veterans Program
Equest’s Hooves for Heroes empowers veterans and military families to take charge of their civilian transitions.
A Client Story
Charles Hawkins,
a retired U.S. Army veteran, came to Equest in search of help for his young daughter Lyric. She was born with a rare genetic syndrome that resulted in developmental delays, challenges with emotional regulation and physicalspatial awareness.
Now eleven years-old, Lyric began therapeutic riding classes four years ago. Her mother Traci was starting a new business and managing the family schedule for Lyric and her sister, so Charles took over driving Lyric to Equest once a week. He discovered Equest had a Hooves for Heroes veterans’ program where dependents could receive therapeutic services at a discount which was a tremendous help to their family budget.
“Shortly after Lyric started classes at Equest, her overall confidence soared like nothing else we had tried. Her core physical strength increased, and her communication skills were remarkably better after her first semester. She is different when she is on a horse … she just lights up with confidence and knows that she is in charge of this 1200-pound animal. She clearly has a very loving
bond with horses that respond to her unique personality,” said Charles. “She follows instructions because her instructor doesn’t mess around. She expects Lyric to get it right and she patiently helps her until she does. I really like that because” Lyric is getting the structure and positive discipline that she needs to experience her own abilities. Equest focuses more on the ability than the disability a client has.
Asked if he was interested in becoming a client, Charles said that just being able to come to Equest, be around the horses in the barn, and walk on the beautiful trails was therapeutic to him.
“Watching Lyric on a horse makes me feel peaceful. Being a veteran with PTSD, I know that the horses understand and feel what I feel, and they emit something that just makes me feel a calmness that I normally don’t feel,” says Charles.
He gives back by being an ambassador who promotes the value of what Equest has to offer to veterans and their families.
“I tell other veterans they would be crazy to not take advantage of the services offered at Equest. If veterans and their
dependents need counseling, it is there and free for them; if their children need therapeutic horsemanship, they get it at a discounted rate.” I want them to know about it and take advantage of experiencing the impact Equest can have on veterans and their families.
“I hear a lot of ‘God Bless our Troops’, and ‘Thank you for your service’. There’s no better way to say thank you to a veteran than donating to an organization like Equest that is focused on supporting soldiers and their families. We need to support the families of those soldiers, because when we go off to combat, they suffer too. They become a one-parent household because mom or dad is in combat and then they must help the kids
deal with that. We need counseling and therapeutic riding to be available for the children and family members of soldiers. Furthermore, we can’t do this without the awesome therapy horses at Equest. Being able to feed a horse for a year, provide supplements, and veterinary care—these things are huge. Every donation goes a long way and impacts so many people,” said Charles.
The journey from military life to civilian life has been challenging for Charles and his family; dealing with PTSD is ongoing. The gift of peace, tranquility, and hope from being at Equest has changed not only Lyric’s life, but Charles’ as well.
“...I know that the horses understand and feel what I feel...”
Our Impact
Equest served 250 children and adults in 2023
Equest had 819 volunteers supported our programs in 2023. The volunteers accounted for 24,081 service hours.
Clients served in 2023 represented over 115 different diagnoses
Equest provided services using 31 horses in our herd.
2,367
Total number of people (adults & children) touched was 2,367 with a total number of 5,369 service hours in 2023
Each client has goals individually tailored to their needs. The percentages below represent the impact for our clients and the goals
June 3, 2023
Blue Ribbon Gala
Co-Chairs: Lindsay Ballotta and Jenny Merkle
The Blue Ribbon Gala is a Texas-chic, upbeat and elegant evening affair drawing social, civic, and business leaders from across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, with proceeds supporting the mission of Equest to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with diverse needs by partnering with horses to bring hope and healing through equineassisted services.
October 3, 2023 Equest Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon & Fashion Show
Chair Kimber Hartmann
Each fall, Equest Women’s Auxiliary hosts its signature event, the Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon and Style Show. This year’s event was presented by Highland Park Village at Brook Hollow Golf Club.
October 21, 2023
Fall Fun Fest
Co-Chairs: Angela Escamilla and Cari Tortorice
This community open house event features free food music, games and activities for children of varied ability levels.
Our Supporters Thank You for Your Generosity
Pegasus Giving Circle
As the story goes, wherever the mythical flying horse, Pegasus, touched the ground, springs of inspiration were unleashed. Your support is like the hoof of Pegasus touching the ground to inspire hope, strength, and the joy of serving our clients at Equest. Members of our Pegasus Giving Circle support specific needs related to our mission. These 100% tax deductible gifts allow Equest to serve nearly 2,000 people with diverse needs annually.
Women’s Auxiliary
The Equest Women’s Auxiliary (WAUX) was founded in 1986 by Louise Griffeth with the purpose of supporting and promoting Equest. Today, it has more than 250 members and has raised more than $10M for Equest.
Each fall, WAUX hosts its signature event, the Women’s Auxiliary Luncheon and Style Show, chaired by a prominent leader in the Dallas community.
We are deeply grateful for all of our valued partners, volunteers, donors, foundations and corporations - who help make our work possible. A special thank you to donors who contributed $1,000 or more in 2023. We regret that space limitations make it impossible to list all of our sponsors.”
Pia C. Ackerman
Cameron Acree
The Addy Foundation
A.L. Chilton Foundation
Kathy Anderson
Andrea Aranson
Jordyn A. Arons-Rosen
Chris Ayoub
Brooke E. and Michael Bailey
Kristin Baker
Harley Cozewith and Blane
Balch
Lindsay and Ray Ballotta
Mary LeDonne Bank
Michael A. Barnett
Dr. Candice Chandler and Steve Barnett
Jessica Barnett
Barbara Barton
Carron and Ed Batt
Jean Beasley
Benchmark Bank
James Berrong
Becca and Wade Betz
Ashley and Mike Blurton
B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Inc
Avis Ives and Tom Boldrey
Gigi and Michael Brakey
Diane and Hal Brierley
Carolyn Brown
Kate and Brack Bryant
Lauren Buford
Scott Burford
Stacy Burke
Jenna Byers
Kella Smith and Henry V. Campbell, III
Candex Solutions, Inc.
CarMax
James Carpenter
Nancy and B.G. Carter
Ryan Casey
Cavender’s Boots
Vicki and Robert Chapman
Paula and Neil Chilvers
Cindy and Tony Weber Foundation
CNG Automotive, Inc.
Communities Foundation of Texas
Robyn and Don Conlon
Aubrey and Adam Connatser
Lisa and Clay Cooley
Lindsay Kirton and Richard Cortez
Kathryn and James Cox
Elizabeth Dacus
Dallas Jewish Community Foundation
Lauren and Guy Duquette
Rusty and William Duvall
Ireland Eckard
Travis Eckard
Sally Ann Ellert
Katherine Engstrom
Enterprise Bank and Trust
Lori A. Ericsson
The Eugene McDermott Foundation
Curt Farmer
Kurt and Alice Farmer
Lynn and Stephen Faulkner
Marianne and William Fazen
The Finance Forum
Fish City Grill
Teresa and Tom Fishman
Kay and Mattia Flabiano
Ola and Randall Fojtasek
Forvis CPA’s & Advisors
Kristi and Bill Francis
Dena and Eric Frankfurt
Cara & Jim French
Sara Friedman
Nancy Gabel
Kyle and Jimmy Galbraith
Prisma Garcia
Andrea Gardner
Linda Garner
Ann and Tim Gavin
Genesis Gavino
Read Gendler
Joanne Gibson
Max Glazer
Leslie and Gabriel H. Golden, II
Goldman Sachs & Co., LLC
Steve Gonzales
Shannon Graham
Prissy and Warren Gravely
Jennifer Green
Anna and Thomas Gresham
Louise and Guy Griffeth
Sally and Steve Hanna
Jane and David Hardenbergh
Kimber Hartmann
Cindy Thomas and Bert Headden
Maricela Heckleman
The Hegi Family
Nancy Henger
Keeley and Keith Hennington
Kim and Greg Hext
Highland Park Village
Lyda Hill
Holland & Knight Foundation
Cindy and Bill Holman
Michael Hopkins
Carol and William P. Huckin
Caroline L. Hunt
Betsy and Houston Hunt
Susan Iannaccone
Impact Deposits Corp
Robert Innamorati
The Isabelle and J.M. Haggar, Jr. Family Foundation
Teri Isaccs
Gloria Burke and Daniel Jackson
Catherine Jaynes
Jim and Audrey Bailey Foundation
J.M. Haggar, Jr. Family Foundation
Di Johnston
Carole and Christopher Jordan
Cheryl and Richard Joyner
Susan and Michael Jump
Kelley Jump
Junior League of Dallas
Angie and Kevin Kadesky
Leslie and Edmund Kennedy
Keith Kettrey
Charlotte and John Kimberlin
Mason D. King
Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Kite Cares
Kline Family Foundation
Sherry and Richard K. Kneipper
Finley and Eric Konrade
Carmen and Alan Kramer
Priscilla Sandlin and Mike Lampa
Tracy and Ben Lange
Caitlin and Thomas Laughlin
Lisa and Kendall Laughlin
Elizabeth and Mark Layton
Lee Merrick Foundation, Inc.
Susan and Calvin Liepins
Paige and Charles Locke
Sarah and Alan Losinger
Natalie M. Low
Luther King Capital
Management
Hillary K. Lynch
Brooke and David Maddox
Mark Foundation IM
Megan Martin
The Mary Kay Foundation
Stephanie and John Mathews
McCafferty-Sear Family Trust
Michelle and Joshua McArtor
Laura and Chris McCallan
Becky and Bob McCamey
Christopher McGuire
Jenny and David Merkle
Leslie Merrick
Keana Meyer
Austin Miller
Lisa and George R. Mixon, III
Genny Montgomery
Kellie and Ron Morrison
Benecia E. Mullikin
Sandy Nachman
Nancy and Ron Natinsky
National Life Group
Julie Neustadt
NexPoint
Sharon Nichols
Elsa Norwood
Debbie and Nickey Oates
Lisa-Adelle O’Brien
Orange Theory
Gail and Jonathan Pace
Meliss Palmore
Wendy and William Payne
Pendery’s World of Chile and Spices
Debbie Pesnell
Pamela D. and Michael
Petty
Pi Beta Phi Philanthropies
Mary Martha Pickens
Pamela and Steven S. Pluss
Lili Kellogg and Bernard Polega
Paige Pollack
Jerri Hammer and David Pomberg
Felicia Powell
Maggie Kipp and Jack Pratt
Monica Ramirez
Rachel Rankin
Kyle Raque
Karen and James Raydo
R.L. and Phyllis Glazer
Family Fund
Maura and Dean Robinson
Rosemary Haggar Vaughan Family Foundation
The Rosewood Foundation
Rotary Club of Park Cities Foundation
Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable Trust
Pamela Royal
Sam and Helga Feldman Foundaton
Sam and Marille Sparks
East Town Osteopathic Foundation
The Sandlot Children’s
Charity
Kristi and Patrick Sands
Santander Consumer USA
Elizabeth Schwartz and Katie Schwartz
Susan Neustadt Schwartz
Julia and Blake Schwarz
Diane and John F. Scovell
Martina Scruggs
Linda Secrest
SettlePou
Sewell Automotive Companies
Chari L. Short
Karen and David Shuttee
Misty and Steven Smathers
Ashley Smith
Kristan Crain Snell
Speedway Children’s Charities
Kimberly Spero
Catherine Spinazzola
Karen and Marshall Stallings
The Stan C. & Mary Clare Finney Foundation
State Fair of Texas Foundation
Sandie and Randall Stem
Susan L. Canole Foundation
Carla and Stephen Swenson
Texas Instruments, Inc.
Texas Veterans Commission
Tim Tincknell
Adrea Tritton
Lisa and Kenny Troutt
Becky Valdez
Jacqueline Chen and Manuel Valencia
Patricia and Joseph Vasquez
Barbie and Michael Violi
Vizient
William Wagasy
Wal-Dot Foundation (Dolores Neustadt)
Tanya Warren
Cindy Weber
Donna and Timothy Weber
Marilyn H. Weber
Heather Weise
Reverends Karen Fry and Petra Weldes
Kristina and Phil Whitcomb
White Rock Storage
White Rock Stables
Dr. Jennifer Wickline
Gregory Williams
Emilynn Wilson
Melinda and Stephan Winn
Candace and John Winslow
Patricia and Ron Witten
Tish Witten
Margaret and Bill, and Ryan Wolf
Sheryl and Gary Wood
Sara and William Woodall
Sherry and Mike Wright
Piper Wyatt
Neal Yanofsky
Caitlin N. Zalatoris
A Client Story
At 3 years old,
Christian was diagnosed with Level 2 Autism and ADHD. He had speech, motor, and social delays and struggled with talking directly to people. Making eye contact and making friends was difficult for him.
Christian’s parents first learned of Equest through his father’s work with the Veterans Administration. They were excited to learn about the services offered and first registered in May of 2022. Christian is currently participating in the therapeutic horsemanship program. In these lessons, he works towards achievement of equestrian skill goals which also helps him achieve daily living goals.
Christian’s sessions at Equest have helped him make a better physical connection with his body and also helps him pay attention in class.
“Equest has become a family thing. All of our family is really invested in Christian’s riding,” says Anria. Christian’s aunt encouraged the family to start Instagram page to share his progress and photos of his lessons at Equest.
“His confidence and independence are amazing!”
“Each time he has a lesson, the activities are different each time. He might have to pick up rings, teddy bears, or work on counting,” says Christian’s Mom Anria. “Although it is work, he doesn’t realize it. The games keep him engaged and he likes it.”
“His confidence and independence are amazing,” says Anria. Christian no longer needs his parents to be at his side for lessons. During his first lesson he cried when he had to walk away from them. But with each lesson, his confidence grew and now he walks in by himself and knows how to get his helmet. He is even able to go on trail rides with his instructor while his parents wait in the lobby.
Getting to participate in such a unique activity as equine therapy is so special. It is amazing to see him able to do this and thrive in doing it.”
