Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center
Augusta, Michigan
Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit in Augusta, Michigan. According to its website, its mission is to enhance the lives of individuals who have disabilities through equine-assisted services, including therapeutic riding, hippotherapy and ground-based programs. The website says its clients range from 13 months to over 80 years old.
- Group therapeutic riding
- Hippotherapy with specially trained therapists
- Equine-assisted learning
- Horsemanship
- One-time group events
- Mental health programming
- Cheff University industry education
- Children and adults with physical disabilities
- People with cognitive disabilities
- People with behavioral and emotional challenges
- Clients from 13 months to over 80 years old
- Equine industry professionals and students
More about this center
About the Program
The center's website says Cheff opened in 1969 as the first therapeutic riding center in North America built especially to serve people with disabilities. ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer lists it as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt since May 1959. The website lists more than 700 annual clients, more than 15 horses and more than 160 volunteers.
The website says group therapeutic riding lessons last about 45 minutes and are billed in sessions of 4 to 7 weeks. In hippotherapy, it says specially trained physical, occupational or speech therapists use the horse as a treatment tool. It says occupational therapy sessions are not currently offered and there is no speech therapist on staff; families can call to join a list.
Ground programming includes equine-assisted learning, horsemanship work such as brushing or haltering a horse, and one-time events for group visits. The homepage describes added mental health programming, including one-time self-care events, a curriculum for teen and tween girls, and supplemental programming for people struggling with addiction. Cheff University lists workshops, apprenticeships, internships and mentoring for the equine industry.
Getting Started
Intake starts with a call to 269-731-4471 to confirm eligibility, followed by paperwork and an assessment with an instructor before scheduling. The website notes that the schedule is very full and options for new riders may be limited.
Location
Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center is at 8450 N 43rd St, Augusta, MI 49012. The website lists office hours as Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
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 much does it cost?
The website lists group therapeutic riding at $60 per lesson, paid by the first lesson of each session, and hippotherapy at $50 per 15-minute unit. Cheff does not bill insurance, and limited scholarships are available. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
What ages does Cheff serve?
The website says clients range from 13 months to over 80 years old.
How do I sign up?
Call 269-731-4471 to check eligibility and schedule an assessment. Client paperwork must be completed before the assessment.
Location
Augusta, Michigan 49012
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.