OUR COMMUNITY

12 | JUNE 9 • 2022 

H

oward and Robin 
Schwartz had big goals 
when they purchased their 
White Lake farm in April 2021.
The 110-acre site, a 50-year-old 
structure that originally operated 
as a European dressage farm, was 
full of history, but needed a lot of 
work to get it ready for the plans 
the Schwartzes had in store, which 
include equestrian therapy and 
community events.
River Forest Farm at 
Horseradish Acres, located at 1050 
Oxbow Lake Road, was originally 
known as the Tristan Manor Farm. 
Nestled along the Huron River, it 
includes 23 stalls for horses, two 

apartments, a residence on the 
river, 80 acres of wooded horse 
trails, a 7-acre engineered polo 
field, a 9,000-square-foot indoor 
riding arena, two outdoor riding 
arenas and an observation room, 
among numerous other features.
Therefore, there was a lot to do 
with the property, both now and 
in the future.

PROMOTING EMOTIONAL 
GROWTH VIA HORSES
With four horses onsite and 
two horses being boarded, the 
Schwartzes knew equestrian ther-
apy was something they wanted 
to offer to the Metro Detroit com-

munity. “We were introduced to 
the practice in California,” says 
Howard Schwartz, whose wife, 
Robin Schwartz, runs River Forest 
Farm and has ridden horses since 
age 12.
In California, Robin volunteered 
at a rescue farm program for chil-
dren, which included equestrian 
therapy. Equestrian therapy, or 
equine-assisted therapy, is a form 
of therapy where horses are used 
to promote emotional growth. It 
can be helpful for anxiety or stress, 
neurological disorders, trauma and/
or a range of behavioral issues.
Through equestrian therapy, 

White Lake farm to host events, provide equestrian therapy.

Promising New Hub 
for the Jewish Community

continued on page 15

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY YEVGENIYA GAZMAN

LEFT: Greg and 
Ari Sobol enjoy 
the farm’s open 
spaces

MIDDLE: Howard 
Schwartz and 
Rabbi Schneor 
Greenberg of the 
Chabad Center 
of Commerce/
Walled Lake at the 
bonfire, the first 
Jewish community 
event at the farm.

RIGHT: Ezra and 
Marcy Kolb at 
River Forest Farm.

