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.