When the classroom becomes a barn and the teacher becomes a horse, there’s no telling the amazing things that can happen.
The Equine Center for Learning was founded by John Breaugh in 1979 as the Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center. As the former principal of the Marvin E. Beekman Center, a school designed to help students with specialized needs, Breaugh had a vision to provide therapeutic riding lessons for people of all ages and abilities in the Greater Lansing community. The program has continued to grow since, and it officially became a part of the Lansing School District in 2019.
Keeping the mission alive is Program Manager Lena Edison, Barn and Herd Coordinator Taylor Jones, and Arena Programming Coordinator Charlotte Zielke. As a women‐led program, collaboration, empathy and empowerment are at the forefront of everything the center does.
“Our team brings diverse backgrounds to the table,” said Edison. “And by drawing on past experiences and learning from one another, we are able to work together to thoughtfully shape and grow our programs in ways that are responsive, inclusive and meaningful.”
While continuing the mission Breaugh set forth, the Equine Center for Learning offers a variety of services encompassing Equine-Assisted Learning and therapeutic horsemanship. Programs include therapeutic riding lessons and nontherapeutic riding lessons for people of all ages, field trip opportunities and after‐school programs for the Lansing School District, and other summer camps and community events.
Horses can sense a human heartbeat up to 4 feet away, gaining unique access to our emotions before even making contact. The various programs offered at the center utilize the caring and intuitive nature of horses to help students and community members gain confidence, hone their problem‐solving skills, and improve physical strength and balance.
“Whether a horse and a human are working together on the ground or in the saddle, horses help participants improve strength, enhance communication, take on responsibility, regulate emotions, and provide the opportunity to connect with a large animal in a calming and fun environment,” said Edison.
The community can help support the center through volunteer work, spreading awareness of programs, donating supplies or contributing financially to help expand its reach, which includes a capital campaign to build the Scholar’s Stable.
ELEVATOR PITCH:
“At the Equine Center for Learning, we are community‐focused, and our goal is to make sure that ECL is a place where people of all abilities can find strength, purpose and joy through equine‐assisted services.”
Emily Walters
Emily Walters is the PR and content intern at M3 Group. She is currently a senior at Michigan State University studying public relations and writing. She is passionate about all things storytelling and board games. She resides in East Lansing.
