Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center

What Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center does

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969 in Augusta, Michigan, recognized as the first therapeutic riding center purpose-built in North America for individuals with disabilities. The organization serves more than 700 clients annually across all age ranges (13 months to over 80 years) presenting with physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, brain injuries, and ADHD. Active client segments include individuals with disabilities, U.S. military veterans with PTSD (Equine Services for Heroes), active seniors aged 60+ (Silver Saddles), adolescent girls (Girls in the Barn), and addiction recovery clients.

Cheff's service portfolio is anchored on equine-assisted activities built around a herd of 15+ specially selected therapy horses (the majority donated, with backgrounds ranging from backyard to show-ring). Core offerings include Therapeutic Riding (adaptive group and private lessons at $60 per 45-minute lesson, billed in 4-7 week sessions), Hippotherapy (physical, occupational, or speech therapy using horse movement at $50 per 15-minute unit), Ground Programming (unmounted Equine Assisted Learning, horsemanship, and one-time school group visits), and Mental Health Services (psychotherapy and psychoeducational groups). Operational infrastructure includes a 100ft x 200ft moderately climate-controlled indoor arena, an 80x100 outdoor arena, a 30-horse stable, a hydraulic lift mounting system, a SureHands lift, sensory stable classroom, and approximately 350 acres of groomed trails with pine forests and bridge crossings. Adjacent programs include Cheff University (PATH Intl. instructor training, workshops, internships), facility rentals, horse sponsorship, community service logging, group volunteer events, and an annual Shindig fundraising gala. No proprietary software or digital technology platforms are disclosed; services are delivered exclusively on-site in Augusta.

Revenue is generated across four streams: unit-priced therapeutic services billed directly to clients (with Cheff not billing insurance, but providing reimbursement documentation and limited scholarships), charitable donations and in-kind contributions, event-driven fundraising (Shindig gala at $250/ticket and $2,500/table of 10, plus multi-tier corporate sponsorships), and an active $2.6 million capital campaign for a new dedicated indoor therapy arena. Distribution is exclusively direct and on-site through a 5-step intake process (call, assessment, paperwork, attendance, session signup), with no telehealth or remote delivery. Operations rely on 13 paid staff (including licensed OT/PT, a Barn Manager/Program Director, and a fundraising/grants lead) and 160-190+ trained volunteers aged 13+ who serve as the primary operational workforce.

Name

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center

Legal name

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center

Website

https://cheffcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1969, operating the first purpose-built therapeutic riding facility in North America in Augusta, Michigan. It provides equine-assisted services, including therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and mental health programs, to individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities across Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy treatments
• Adaptive riding programs
• Equine mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Augusta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Riding Lessons: Group therapeutic riding lessons are the primary revenue-generating program. Lessons are approximately 45 minutes long and billed at $60 per lesson, collected in sessions (4-7 weeks). This is a recurring session-based revenue stream.
2. Hippotherapy (Physical Therapy): Hippotherapy sessions are billed in 15-minute units at $50 each. Cost per visit varies depending on appointment length. This is a usage-based therapy revenue stream.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The organization relies heavily on charitable donations, in-kind donations, and event-based fundraising. The annual Shindig gala (tickets at $250/person or $2,500/table of 10) is a major fundraising event. A $2.6 million capital campaign is currently underway.
4. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for the annual Shindig event at multiple tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) provide funding. Sponsors receive perks including event tickets and promotional opportunities.
5. Facility Rentals: Cheff rents out portions of its facility (arena, etc.) for horse shows, clinics, and other events when not in use for programming, generating occasional rental income.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center delivers equine-assisted services including adaptive therapeutic riding, hippotherapy (physical/occupational/speech therapy using horse movement), ground programming, and equine-facilitated mental health services for individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. The organization also provides industry education through Cheff University and operates volunteer, facility rental, and fundraising programs. All services are delivered on-site at its purpose-built Augusta, Michigan campus.

Product overview

Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit service organization offering a portfolio of equine-assisted activities and therapies. The core offerings include Therapeutic Riding (adaptive horseback riding for all ages with disabilities), Hippotherapy (physical/occupational/speech therapy using horse movement), and Ground Programming (unmounted activities including Equine Assisted Learning). The center also provides Mental Health Services (self-care groups, addiction recovery, youth programs), operates Cheff University for industry education and instructor training, and manages volunteer programs. Supporting services include facility rental, horse sponsorship, community service opportunities, and group volunteer events. The center also conducts annual fundraising events including the Shindig gala and an ongoing capital campaign for new facility construction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Adaptive horseback riding program teaching riding skills and providing healthy exercise in a success-oriented environment for people with physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. Includes group and private lessons with individualized goals.
• Hippotherapy

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 56 years of continuous operation serving individuals with disabilities
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• K-12 Schools and Local UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheff's capital campaign explicitly targets growing program partnerships with K-12 schools as well as local universities through expanding Equine Assisted Learning opportunities and professional therapy collaborations. These partnerships are planned but not yet established.
• Local Addiction Recovery FacilitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCheff has partnered with local addiction recovery facilities to provide supplemental Equine Facilitated Learning opportunities to their clients. Patients strengthen communication skills, build trust, and learn vulnerability through equine interaction.
• Military PTSD Treatment ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Equine Services for Heroes program serves veterans enrolled in local military PTSD treatment programs. Some veterans are weekly participants while others attend as a one-time experience facilitated through their treatment program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: Nonprofit therapeutic riding center in Loveland, CO serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Operates a similar model combining therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, mental health programs, and a volunteer workforce.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Nonprofit in Harvard, IL providing therapeutic horseback riding and horsemanship to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. Offers PATH Intl. certified programming and a comparable volunteer-driven operating model.
• National Ability Center: Park City, UT nonprofit offering adaptive recreation including equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities and veterans. Operates similar therapy programs alongside a broader recreation ecosystem.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Durham, CT offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning to people with special needs. Mirrors Cheff's clinical and recreational programming mix.
• Mane Stream: Oldwick, NJ-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities and veterans, including therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and ground programs. Closely aligned service portfolio to Cheff.
• Saddle Up!: Nashville-area nonprofit providing therapeutic and recreational horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities. Similar volunteer-powered, donation-funded model in a different regional market.

Others

• PATH International: Professional association that sets industry standards for equine-assisted services. Cheff is a member center, and PATH certification underpins Cheff's credentialing and industry positioning.

Regional players

• GallopNYC: New York City-based nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship program serving individuals with disabilities and veterans in the NYC metro. Comparable program design but operates in a different geography from Cheff.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cheffcenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/cheffcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cheff-therapeutic-riding-ctr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center