In a quiet corner of Grand Rapids, a child sits beside a horse and begins to read aloud. The horse listens.

There is no impatience. No correction. No judgment. For that child, who struggles to read confidently in a classroom, this is the first time reading feels safe. At Hestóvin Stables Therapeutic Riding Center, moments like this happen every day.

An Urban Sanctuary for Equine-Assisted Therapy in Grand Rapids

Founded in 2021 by Laura Huizenga, Hestóvin Stables Therapeutic Riding Center is an equine assisted services center located right within Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unlike many therapeutic riding programs based in rural areas, Hestóvin provides accessible, relationship-centered equine therapy in an urban environment. Families who once faced long drives, transportation barriers, or overwhelming therapy costs now have an option close to home. Hestóvin is an Icelandic word meaning “horse oasis” and that is exactly what we are: a refuge where children and adults of all abilities can experience emotional growth, physical development, and connection through Icelandic horses.

Why Horses Work When Traditional Therapy Doesn’t

Not every child thrives in a clinical office setting. Some children need movement. Some need nature. Some need connection before conversation. One teen who felt withdrawn and disconnected at school found a sense of belonging in the barn. Through weekly one-on-one adapted riding lessons, she built trust first with her horse, then with her instructor, and slowly with herself. Another rider who struggled with anxiety describes her time with Glóa, a gentle Icelandic mare, as her “reset button.” The rhythm of the horse’s gait, the quiet grooming sessions, and the consistent relationship helped her develop emotional regulation tools she now uses outside the barn. Research continues to show the documented mental, emotional, social, cognitive, and physical benefits of equine-assisted services. This includes improved core strength, coordination, communication skills, and confidence, and reduced anxiety. But at Hestóvin, it’s not just the horse. It’s the relationship.

PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors

Hestóvin Stables sets itself apart by prioritizing professional standards, individualized care, and safety. All instructors are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), a leading accrediting body in equine-assisted services. While certification is voluntary in this field, Hestóvin Stables chooses it because safety, quality, and therapeutic integrity matter. Unlike many programs that offer group riding sessions, Hestóvin Stables provides one-to-one private lessons. Each participant builds a long-term relationship with:

• Their horse
• Their certified instructor
• Their volunteer team

This continuity creates deeper trust and stronger developmental outcomes.

Affordable Equine Therapy in Michigan

Traditional therapy and equine-assisted therapy often cost $150 or more per session. Hestóvin Stables offers sessions for just $60. Why? Because families raising children with physical disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, ADHD, trauma histories, or cognitive challenges are often already carrying significant financial burdens. No one should be denied help and healing because of cost. Our subsidized sessions are only possible because of donors.

The Impact of Your Support

Every donation—large or small—helps:

• Subsidize adapted riding lessons
• Provide scholarships to families in need
• Maintain certified safety standards
• Care for the Icelandic horses who make healing possible
• Preserve a green space oasis in urban Grand Rapids

When you give to Hestóvin Stables, you are not simply supporting a riding program.

You are funding confidence.
You are funding emotional resilience.
You are funding belonging.