VolunteerMaine!

Equest is a 501(c)(3) therapeutic riding program founded in 1998 to serve children and adults with disabilities in Southern Maine.

Description:
Equest is a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Premiere Accredited Center and our mission is to foster positive horse and human interaction within an experiential learning environment in order to facilitate physical, mental and emotional well-being.

The horse and human bond has been known since antinquity for its healing qualities. With a therapy horse's non-judgmental approach, quiet trust and sense of play, students are highly motivated to learn and grow to their full potential.

Equest serves students as young as three with physical and cognitive disabilities and behavior/emotional challenges.

History:
Nick and Sarah Armentrout own and operate Spring Creek Farm and co-founded Equest in 1998. After spending four years in Sun Valley, Idaho instructing students and managing Sagebrush Equine Training Center for the Handicapped (SETCH), they returned to Maine to start a program of their own. Sarah has been a NARHA certified riding instructor since 1995, has trained at the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy in California.

2004 was a year of expansion as the adjacent dairy farm was renovated for Equest use. This facility expansion included more pastures, additional stalls, large tack room, 800 square foot office and a three sided, lighted covered riding arena.

Contact people:

Michele Cheney, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Sarah Armentrout, President, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 985-7937

Address:

PO Box 935 Kennebunk, ME 04043

Web Site: http://www.equestmaine.org

Directions:

From the NORTH: Take I 95 Maine Turnpike to exit 32, Biddeford. After the tollbooth, take a right onto Rte 111 heading North. Go approximately 6 miles until traffic light (Texaco on the right) at intersection of Rte 35. Take a left onto Rte 35, south. Go approx 2 miles, over a bridge (dam on right) continue up the hill then back down. On the downhill side is a road that forks right. Go right, road will fork again stay straight onto Walker Rd. Continue on Walker Rd for 1/2 mile, turn left onto Old North Berwick Rd. Go 1/4 mile, turn right onto Drown Ln. Follow to end. Equest office on the right. From the South: From I 95 Maine Turnpike (Kennebunk) Exit 25, take Rt 35 heading North (Alewive Rd). Go approx. 4 miles. Rte 35 will take a sharp right. Rather than going right, go straight onto Cole Rd. Rd immediately forks again, stay straight on Walker Rd.. Continue on Walker Rd for 1/2 mile, turn Left onto Old North Berwick Rd. Go 1/4 mile, turn Right onto Drwon Lane. Follow to the end, Equest office on the right.   Nearest Bus Stop: n/a