Equi-librium, Inc.
Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Equi-librium, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on an 18-acre farm in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, offering equine-assisted services for people with physical, developmental, behavioral and psychological challenges. Programs include adaptive riding, equine-assisted movement, carriage driving, equine-assisted learning, a summer camp and a riding program for adults 55 and older. The center is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
- Adaptive riding and horsemanship
- Equine-assisted movement (EAM)
- Silver Saddles riding for adults 55+
- Horse Show Team and Special Olympics training
- Equine-assisted learning (EAL)
- Therapeutic carriage driving
- Summer horsemanship camp
- Mobile miniature horse outreach and farm visits
- Children and adults with physical disabilities
- People with developmental disabilities
- People with behavioral or emotional challenges
- Adults 55 and older
- Preschool through high school students, and adults (equine-assisted learning)
- Schools, libraries and community groups
More about this center
About the Program
Adaptive riding teaches riding and horsemanship through mounted patterns, exercises, horse care and groundwork. Equine-assisted movement uses the horse's movement to work on body awareness, posture, balance, coordination and motor planning, and it suits people of all ages. Riders may also take part in Special Olympics training with Team Northampton or try out for the Horse Show Team.
Equine-assisted learning is mostly unmounted and focuses on life skills such as trust, respect and communication. Its Ride, Learn and Grow program works with public schools in the Lehigh Valley and Poconos. Therapeutic carriage driving, for people who cannot or prefer not to ride, is taught by a PATH Intl. certified driving instructor using a wagon with a hydraulic wheelchair lift.
The summer horsemanship camp runs five days a week, 9 am to 3 pm, with a 4:1 camper-to-staff ratio. Miniature horses also visit schools, libraries and community events.
The Horses and Staff
Tonia Breech, M.Ed., is the executive director, and Karin Nifong, a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), is the program director. The program team includes several PATH Intl. CTRIs and PATH Intl. driving instructors, and the center says more than 200 active volunteers support daily operations. The horses include a miniature horse, a Haflinger, Percheron crosses and a Gypsy Vanner.
History
The program began in 1981 as Monroe County Riding for the Handicapped, serving five children with cerebral palsy. It later became Pocono RISE and then Easter Seal RISE before becoming the independent nonprofit Equi-librium, Inc. in 2001. It bought its Nazareth farm in Bushkill Township in 2013 and began operating there in 2014.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be 14 or older, and no horse experience is needed. Roles include side helpers, who support riders during lessons; horse leaders, who may also groom and tack; and grounds and maintenance work such as mowing, fencing and small building projects. Contact the volunteer coordinator at michelle@equi-librium.org.
Location
Equi-librium is at 524 Fehr Road, Nazareth, PA 18064, in Bushkill Township, Northampton County.
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 enroll?
Registration starts through the Programs page on the center's website. Questions can go to the program director at karin@equi-librium.org or the office at (610) 365-2266.
How much do lessons cost?
As listed, adaptive riding and EAM tuition is $240 per month for group lessons and $340 per month for private lessons. Silver Saddles group lessons are $240 per month, and the Horse Show Team is $260 per month. See equine therapy costs for how fees compare.
Is carriage driving open to new participants?
The driving program is at capacity and is not enrolling new participants. Call to ask about the waitlist.
Can a school or group arrange a visit?
Yes. Farm visits and mobile miniature horse visits can be arranged by emailing christina@equi-librium.org; fees depend on group size and activities.
Location
Nazareth, Pennsylvania 18064
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.