About

Our Foundation

Margo Dewkett

Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas, Inc. (Windridge) is a Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH, Intl.).  Founded in 1988, by Margo Dewkett, an ex-racehorse jockey and trainer, who had a passion for horses and wished to share with children and adults with disabilities.  So, on March 6, 1989 in a small wooden framed barn with five horses, five volunteers, and two clients Margo began teaching therapeutic horsemanship, in the form of therapeutic riding, sessions as Windridge’s first instructor.  Margo would later become Windridge’s first executive director.  In July of 2016 Margo Dewkett retired from Windridge.

Since 1989, Windridge has grown to employ six certified therapeutic riding instructors, one instructor-in-training, utilizes 21 horses and 60 plus volunteers per week.  Each week 75 individuals participate in one of our four programs: Therapeutic Riding, Hippotherapy, Therapeutic Driving and Equines in Service for Heroes.

In 1997, 25 acres of land adjacent to Windridge’s founding location was purchased to begin construction on a 38,000 square foot covered facility. In January of 2001 Windridge began classes in its newly built facility completely paid for by East Texans. Windridge was the first facility in Texas to design and build a facility specific for therapeutic horsemanship programs and the design of the facility has been utilized by other centers when beginning their construction process.

Windridge has also been a leader in research and education for the therapeutic horsemanship profession. Building and utilizing a research room complete with equine treadmill and motion capture system Windridge has taken steps to provide scientific proof of what occurs when an individual with a disability sits astride a horse at a walk. In the area of education Windridge has co-authored a first of its kind textbook for individuals beginning their journey in the therapeutic horsemanship profession. This textbook was published in 2016 and is currently being utilized by Universities and instructors-in-training throughout the United States.

The history of Windridge involves the efforts of men, women and youth who have stepped forward to give of their time, talent and monetary gifts. Combined, these gifts have changed countless lives.

Our Leadership

Windridge’s Board of Directors

Windridge is governed by an active and responsible body of men and women, who serve without compensation and exercise effective administrative control.  Windridge Board of Directors meet the first Thursday of the month, excluding August and December.

If you would like to serve our community and become a Windridge Board Member, please call Windridge’s office at 903.797.2414 and ask for Dawn Martin, our Executive Director.

Board Members

President: Stewart Green
Vice President: Kyle Stephens
Treasurer: Randy Monk
Secretary: Phyllis Winn
Member: Jim McClain
Member: Brenda Buck
Member: Russell Fisher
Member: Crystal Thornton
Member: Daryl Atkinson
Member: Bill Plunkett
Member: Larry Courington

Windridge’s board of directors and staff believe our first responsibility is to define our reality based on God’s guidance and Christian principles, second we hope we will never forget to say thank you and in-between the two we will strive to serve one another and each child, youth and adult that come through our gate or communicate with us from afar.

The Heart of Windridge

As Windridge developed, so has the industry of therapeutic horsemanship.

Windridge’s dedicated staff began as volunteers, some as young as 14 years of age.  Collectively, the staff has 36 years of volunteer service among them. The staff’s choice of vocation have provided opportunities beyond measure, for program participants.

Twenty-one horses, which were donated, make up Windridge’s equine staff. Our gratitude goes out to the horse’s previous owners who chose to gift their beloved horse to Windridge. Once accepted, the horses begin a training regime to prepare them for equine-assisted activities and therapy programs.  It is important to know our horses remain with us their entire lives.

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East Texas Landmark

Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas, Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center provides equine-assisted activities and therapy program for children, adults and veterans with disabilities in a state-of-the-art 38,000 sq. foot facility. This facility is the result of contributions from foundations, corporations, civic organizations, and individuals. Windridge’s existence is a tribute to East Texans.

A father once expressed what it meant for his son to have the opportunity to participate in the therapeutic riding program at Windridge. He said, “I never thought others would be interested in my son’s well-being until I came to Windridge. One week I found out Windridge has never sought state or federal funding like most non-profits. That’s when I realized how important my son and other children are to my neighbors. It is my neighbors that are responsible for the existence of this organization, I became overwhelmed.”

Life is much less a competitive struggle for survival than a triumph of cooperation and creativity.
– Fritjof Capra

Industry Links

Located in the Piney Woods of East Texas

Windridge Therapeutic Equestrian Center of East Texas, Inc.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5932 ~ Longview, TX 75608

Physical Address: 593 Windridge Road ~ Gilmer, TX 75645

Office Phone Number: (903) 797-2414

E-Mail Address: windridgetx@aol.com

Directions: From Longview, Texas – Travel north on Highway 259, turn left onto Highway 154. Travel approximately 3 miles, turn right onto Highway 726. Turn left onto the first black top road, name: Gardenia. Go one mile, turn a sharp left onto a small black top road named Windridge. Continue to the top of the hill. Turn right into Windridge’s driveway. You’ll see a large Windridge entrance sign. Continue down the driveway, past the log house, to the large covered facility.

Windridge signs begin on Highway 726 and Gardenia with a green state sign. Another sign is located on the right at Windridge road and the large entrance sign.

Driving time to Windridge from:

Longview: 20 minutes from north Loop 281
Daingerfield: 30 minutes
Gladewater: 30 minutes
Marshall: 45 minutes
Tyler: 60 minutes
Henderson: 60 minutes