EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Riding Program provides spring, summer, fall and winter lessons to offer equine assisted activities to the Hampton Roads Community. We also offer two week-long summer camp programs, educational support through our School Partnership Program and services to benefit disabled men and women who have served our country through our EQUI-VETS Service Program.
Equine Assisted Activities
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Seasonal Lessons
Our organization proudly serves more than 80 individuals each week through our lesson program. We offer 30-minute private lessons, 45-minute semi-private lessons (2 riders in each semi-private) and 60-minute group lesson (not to exceed 4 riders). We are delighted to announce that with the expansion of our facility and our program, we have reduced our wait list to zero! Seasonal lesson space is limited, but we do have room for new riders!
For more information about our Seasonal Lessons, contact Kathy Chitwood,
Program Director, at (757) 721-7350 or via email at kathy.chitwood@equikids.org.Download our Adult registration form
Download our Minor registration form -
Launched in 2010, EQUI-KIDS affiliate program, EQUI-VETS, offers physical and mental healing through equine activities for armed service members wounded in the line of duty. Offering therapeutic horseback riding, horse care activities and outdoor experiences, this program is offered to active duty and retired veterans at no cost in honor of their dedicated service to our country.
The EQUI-VETS Service Program offers the support of fellow military personnel to assist
with the therapeutic riding session, and for those participants who do not wish to ride, many join our volunteer ranks to lend a hand on the farm.For more information about our EQUI-VETS Service Program, contact Kathy Chitwood,
Program Director, at (757) 721-7350 or via email at kathy.chitwood@equikids.org.Download our EQUI-VETS brochure
Download our EQUI-VETS registration form -
Summer Camp
Our summer camp series offers two individual week-long session that consists of riding instruction, barn theory classes and art class exclusively offered to children with mental, physical, social or learning disabling conditions. EQUI-KIDS summer camp offers individuals an opportunity to interact with peers, increase motor skills, enhance life skills and take on creative challenges through arts & crafts mediums.
For more information about our Summer Camp Series, contact Kathy Chitwood,
Program Director, at (757) 721-7350 or via email at kathy.chitwood@equikids.org. -
School Partnership Program
EQUI-KIDS offers a School Partnership Program to benefit special needs students from area elementary and middle school systems. Students participate in riding and theory classes once a week over a six-week period every spring and fall. We look forward to expanding this program to provide services Monday through Thursday so that we can continue to enhance the life skills and development of special needs students.
For more information about our School Partnership Program, contact Kathy Chitwood,
Program Director, at (757) 721-7350 or via email at kathy.chitwood@equikids.org. -
Mobile Equestrian Outreach
The first of its kind in the country, EQUI-KIDS Mobile Equestrian Outreach Program (MEO) offers an innovative educational format in a traveling museum context, thanks to the generous funding support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities in 2002. Our MEO was created to help us build awareness for the benefits of equine assisted activities for individuals with disabling conditions and it affords us the opportunity to bring this information to any location! The MEO houses educational materials and a stall for our miniature horse, Mabelline, who serves as our public relations liaison. Since its inception, the MEO has provided information to hundreds of thousands of individuals throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia and North Carolina.
If you have an upcoming event and want to inquire about having our MEO onsite, contact Jamie Link, Instructor/Community Outreach Coordinator at (757) 721-7350 or via email at jamie.link@equikids.org.
