Our Foundation
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 wished to share her passion for horses with children and adults with disabilities
On March 6, 1989, in a small wooden framed barn with five horses, five volunteers, and two clients Margo began offering therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship sessions. Margo was Windridge’s first certified instructor and executive director. In July of 2016 Margo Dewkett retired from Windridge, but her passion for excellence in horsemanship continues.
![old-barn](http://www.windridgetexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/old-barn-1-300x220.png)
In 1997, 25 acres of land adjacent to Windridge’s founding location was purchased for the construction of a 38,000 square foot covered facility. Windridge was the first in Texas to design and build a facility specifically for therapeutic/adaptive horsemanship programs. The facility design has been used by other centers across the nation. In January 2002 classes began in the new state-of-the-art facility. Windridge’s permanent home was completely paid for by East Texans.
A program participant’s father once expressed, “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”.
![Facility2-copy-300×171](http://www.windridgetexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Facility2-copy-300x171-2-300x171.png)
Windridge has been a leader in research and education for therapeutic horsemanship profession. In 2007, a research room was built, complete with an equine treadmill and motion capture system, to provide scientific proof of what occurs when an individual with a disability sits astride a horse at a walk. In 2016, Windridge co-authored the textbook, The Comprehensive Guide to Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies. This extensive textbook is for individuals beginning their journey in the therapeutic horsemanship profession and is utilized as a reference by universities and instructors-in-training throughout the United States.