Location: Oxford, Michigan, United States
Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center is a nonprofit therapeutic riding program located in Oxford, Michigan, that provides equine-assisted activities and therapies for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities.
Founded in 1991, the center operates as a PATH International accredited program on its own 15-acre facility and serves riders through individualized, goal-based mounted lessons supported by a large volunteer community.
About This Program
Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center was established to improve quality of life for individuals with special needs through therapeutic equestrian activities, with each student supported in developing to their greatest potential.
Therapeutic riding lessons are led by trained instructors and tailored for recreational, educational, and therapeutic purposes, with individualized goals set for each student to foster independence. Group lessons typically include no more than four riders, ensuring direct supervision and a social component, while private lessons are available for students who are significantly advanced or require more personalized attention, with approval from the Executive Director.
Sessions run year-round in blocks of 7 to 10 weeks, with riders attending one 30- or 45-minute lesson per week. Each class is limited to four students to ensure individual attention, and riders are matched with horses selected by staff to suit their specific needs and abilities. Instructors are certified by PATH, and lessons are assisted by volunteers who lead the horse and walk beside it.
Banbury Cross partners with Oxford, Lake Orion, and Lapeer Community Schools’ special education programs, and was selected by the Wounded Warrior Project to offer free services to active and retired veterans. The center has also teamed with Lapeer County Mental Health to deliver equine-assisted psychotherapy.
The program operates six days per week, employs a staff of 7 to 9, and relies on 50 to 80 dedicated volunteers along with a herd of 12 horses.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding (group and private lessons)
- Equine-assisted activities and therapies
- Grooming and tacking
- Groundwork
- Summer, day, and other camps
- Veterans programs (free of charge)
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (in partnership with Lapeer County Mental Health)
- Special education program partnerships
Who They Serve
Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center may be a good fit for:
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Riders ages 3 and older
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with Down syndrome
- Individuals with ADD or other hyperactivity disorders
- Individuals with developmental delays or intellectual disabilities
- Individuals with learning or speech disabilities
- Individuals with multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy
- Individuals with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, or paralysis
- Individuals with head trauma or brain injury
- Individuals who have experienced a stroke
- Individuals with hearing impairment
- Individuals with emotional, behavioral, or mental health conditions
- Individuals with PTSD, including veterans and active duty military
- Individuals with terminal illness
- Individuals with genetic conditions or disorders
Facility and Setting
Banbury Cross operates on its own 15-acre facility with a herd of 12 horses and runs six days per week. The center is located in Oxford/Metamora, Michigan, an area with deep equine tradition and home to the Metamora Hunt. The program is fully accredited by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH International).
- Oxford, Michigan location
- 1223 Brauer Road, Oxford, MI 48371
- 15-acre equestrian facility
- Herd of 12 specially matched horses
- PATH International accredited center
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- 50–80 active volunteers per session
What Makes Them Unique
Banbury Cross was founded in 1991 by Ralph and Carol Curtis and has evolved through different locations and leadership while maintaining its founding mission. The program partners with local school districts, the Wounded Warrior Project, and Lapeer County Mental Health, broadening its reach beyond traditional therapeutic riding into veteran services and mental health support.
The center’s combination of long-standing community roots, diverse partnership network, and individualized rider-matching process sets it apart. With a large and dedicated volunteer base, small class sizes capped at four riders, and a PATH-accredited instructional team, Banbury Cross delivers highly personalized programming across a wide range of disabilities and needs — all within an equine-rich region of Michigan that reinforces the center’s connection to the broader horse community.