
ABOUT US
Our Story
Reins of Life (ROL) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1978. That year, Reins provided 32 hours of therapeutic riding lessons for 16 riders. Classes were held in the backyards of friends of ROL. From 1978-1991 Reins used borrowed arenas, equipment, and tack to provide services to individuals with disabilities of St. Joseph County, Indiana. Dedicated volunteers transported borrowed horses by trailer to the lesson sites each day. In 1991, the organization found a permanent home when Nancy and Lloyd Taylor donated twenty acres of their land on Quince Road, near Lydick. Reins of Life now serves over 500 riders with 3,000 hours of lesson time annually for residents of 11 counties in Indiana and Michigan.
An unprecedented opportunity to expand the organization’s services came in June of 2007 in the form of the donation of a 46 acre property in Michigan City. Royal Acres Equestrian Center was donated by a Chicago couple, Todd and Janice Much, and was valued at $2M. Therapeutic riding lessons began in Michigan City on September 10, 2007 with 16 riders in the first session. The ROL Michigan City barn has since tripled in ridership with riders coming to us from mainly La Porte and Porter County.

OUR MISSION
To improve the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy.
OUR VISION
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To promote the mental, physical, emotional, and social growth of all involved in the program
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To educate the community regarding the benefits of riding as therapy, and the abilities of children and adults with disabilities
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To improve the attitudes of society toward persons with disabilities
FACILITIES

South Bend
55200 Quince Road South Bend, IN 46619
P: 574.232.0853 F: 574.232.1104
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30 Acres
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5 Pastures with Run-in Shelters
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Stall Barn with Heated Indoor Riding Area
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Activity Room and Offices
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Hay Barn with Heated Feed Room and Horse Treatment Area
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Outdoor Riding Area
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Accessible Playground
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Nancy's Trails : Sensory Riding Trails
Michigan City
9375 W. 300 N. Michigan City, IN 46360
P: 219.874.7519
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46 Acres
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5 Pastures with Run-in Shelters
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16-stall Barn
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Heated Indoor Riding Arena
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Offices and Lounge Overlooking Indoor Arena
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Wooded Riding Trails and Creek
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Stocked Fish Pond

VIDEO GALLERY
The Video Gallery is filled with stories of trust, confidence, first words and first steps. Learn more about Reins of Life, Inc. and how clients and their families lives have been impacted. To hear even more stories explore the full Video Gallery.
Hear their Stories
David's Story- 2023
Hear their Stories
Zach's Story- 2023
Hear their Stories
Their Story of Friendship - 2022
Hear their Stories
Interactive Vaulting Siblings - 2021
Hear their Stories
Lucas' Story - 2020
Hear their Stories
Isabella's Story - 2020
THE ROL TEAM
Dorota Janik
Executive Director
Christine Flowers
Program Administrator & Volunteer Coordinator (South Bend)
Aly Olson
Assistant to Executive Director, Internship Program Manger & Instructor
Morgan Paeplow
Events and Projects Director
Amanda Bubb
Lead Instructor (Michigan City), Vaulting Instructor, Driving Instructor & Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning
Samantha Nusbaum
Equine Manager (South Bend), Instructor & ROL Veterans Team Instructor
Daniele Charriere
Instructor & Vaulting Instructor