Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science, Otterbein University
Westerville, Ohio
The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science is the equine facility of Otterbein University's Department of Equine Science in Westerville, Ohio. Alongside its equine degrees, the department offers a minor in Equine-Assisted Services for students who want to use horses to help people with disabilities or mental health diagnoses. It is a university teaching program, not a public therapy center: the public can't sign up for riding lessons or therapy there.
- Equine-Assisted Services minor (15 credit hours)
- Therapeutic Riding course (EQSC 2900)
- Psychotherapy Incorporating Equines course (EQSC 2400)
- Riding lessons for Otterbein students
- Otterbein University students
- Students preparing for careers in equine-assisted services
More about this center
About the Program
Otterbein lists the Equine-Assisted Services minor (also called Equine-Assisted Activities & Therapies) as a pairing for majors in Equine Business Management or Psychology, or for offerings from the Education or Health and Sports Science departments. The university says the minor prepares students for roles such as program director, instructor, therapist, equine specialist, volunteer coordinator and stable manager.
The 15-hour minor in Otterbein's course catalog includes Introduction to Equine Studies, Basic Equine Skills, a one-hour equine science course, Psychotherapy Incorporating Equines, Therapeutic Riding, Service Learning, and either Applied Equine Business Principles or Non-Profit Management. Instructor Erica Gaddie teaches the three-credit psychotherapy course, which introduces equine-assisted psychotherapy.
In a June 2023 Otterbein article, Steffanie Burk of the Department of Equine Science described the Therapeutic Riding course. Students learned the PATH International model of therapeutic riding, chose and tested horses, ran an orientation for new riders and taught lessons to Westerville Special Olympics athletes, with a show and awards on the last day. Students also earned a Special Olympics Sport Assistant certification through the class.
The Facility
The center sits on about 70 acres in Westerville. Otterbein lists stalls for 52 horses, a large indoor arena suitable for regional and national competitions, indoor wash and grooming stalls, a separate veterinary and farrier area, classrooms, and grass and all-weather paddocks. The center is also home to Otterbein's hunt seat, dressage and eventing teams.
Location
The Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science is at 600 N. Spring Rd, Westerville, OH 43082, about two miles from Otterbein's main campus.
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.
Can the public sign up for therapeutic riding or riding lessons here?
No. Otterbein says it is not offering public riding lessons; its lessons are for Otterbein students, and its equine-assisted services work is college coursework rather than therapy for the public. Families looking for lessons or therapy can see our guide on how to choose a center.
Who can enroll in the Equine-Assisted Services minor?
The minor is for Otterbein University students and is designed to pair with majors such as Equine Business Management or Psychology, or with offerings from the Education or Health and Sports Science departments.
How do I contact the Department of Equine Science?
Call the department at 614-823-3020 or email otterbeinequine@Otterbein.edu.
Location
Westerville, Ohio 43082
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.