Main Stay Therapeutic Farm
Richmond, Illinois
Main Stay Therapeutic Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Richmond, Illinois. It offers adaptive riding and horsemanship, plus equine and animal assisted learning. According to its website, its programs serve children as young as 3 and adults in their 90s with physical, developmental, emotional and social challenges.
- Adaptive (therapeutic) riding
- Ground-based horsemanship lessons
- Equine and animal assisted learning
- Leadership and team building
- School services
- Nature-based experiences, including an adaptive garden
- Children ages 3 and up
- Adults, including seniors
- People with physical disabilities
- People with developmental disabilities, including autism and Down syndrome
- People with emotional and social challenges
- Schools and groups
More about this center
About the Program
Main Stay says it is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center, and adaptive riding lessons are taught by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Lessons are weekly: 30-minute private, 45-minute semi-private (2 riders) or one-hour small group (3 riders). Riders must be at least 3 years old and weigh 200 pounds or less. Read more about therapeutic riding.
The farm lists a heated indoor arena with a lift ramp and family seating, plus an outdoor sensory arena. Its equine and animal assisted learning program is led by staff with education, facilitation and equine certifications, and addresses academic, social, emotional and behavioral needs.
The Horses and Animals
According to its FAQ, riding horses go through a training program and trial period before joining lessons. Unmounted sessions may also include sheep, goats, rabbits, barn cats, miniature horses, a donkey and a mule, many of them rescues.
History
The program began in the mid-1980s with students from the Special Education District of McHenry County, became a 501(c)(3) in 1987, added animal assisted learning in 2012 and opened a 37,000 sq. ft. facility in 2016, according to its website.
Location
Main Stay Therapeutic Farm is at 6919 Keystone Rd., Richmond, IL 60071. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm, and can be reached at (815) 653-9374.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I get started?
Join the no-obligation waiting list on the website, or call to ask about openings. You can also schedule a visit to observe a class and tour the farm.
How much do lessons cost?
Call (815) 653-9374 to ask about current rates. Limited financial assistance is available for qualifying riders, and services are not currently reimbursable by insurance, the farm says. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
When are lessons held?
Adaptive riding runs in three seasonal sessions (Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall), and the farm says the program runs six days a week. Session dates are posted on the calendar on its website.
Does Main Stay offer hippotherapy?
It does not list hippotherapy as a program. Its FAQ says licensed professionals such as physical, occupational and speech therapists decide how horses fit a client's treatment plan.
Location
Richmond, Illinois 60071
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.