Equi Kids Therapeutic Riding Program
4.6(80)4.6 out of 5 stars, 80 reviews Virginia Beach, VA
About Equi Kids Therapeutic Riding Program
Equi Kids offers a premier therapeutic riding program specifically designed for children with special needs (emotional and physical, ranging from minor to extreme), Veterans, and First Responders. It boasts a large, clean, and highly functional facility with extensive accessibility features and is primarily run by a dedicated, well-organized volunteer staff. The program focuses on individualized plans, working with therapists and trainers to meet specific goals and abilities through the connection with horses.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a premier therapeutic riding program for children with diverse special needs (emotional, physical, minor to extreme).Veterans and First Responders looking for equine-assisted therapy.Individuals seeking a well-organized and impactful volunteer opportunity with horses and a strong community focus.Those who value a clean, large, and highly accessible facility for therapeutic activities.Specifically caters to children with special needs, encompassing emotional and physical disabilities that range from minor to extreme.
Why families love it
- A premier therapeutic riding facility with a strong focus on special needs children, Veterans, and First Responders.
- The facility is described as beautiful, clean, open, large, and highly functional.
- Staff and volunteers are consistently praised as stellar, amazing, super nice, and having 'amazing hearts and excitement'.
- Offers a highly organized volunteer process that runs 'like a well-oiled machine'.
- Provides specialized equipment to allow individuals who may be unable to walk to safely mount and ride a horse.
- Works closely with therapists and trainers to create individualized plans tailored to specific goals, abilities, and needs.
Insider tips
- If you have a child with special needs and are looking for therapeutic riding, this facility comes highly recommended for its tailored programs and specialized equipment.
- Consider visiting the facility to see it in action and potentially ask questions about specific therapeutic needs.
- If you are looking for a place to volunteer, particularly if you have a passion for horses or supporting special needs individuals, this organization is well-regarded for its organized process and rewarding service.
- Parents concerned by the management and animal welfare allegations may wish to inquire directly or seek further information before committing.
Good to know before you go
- If you have significant concerns about management professionalism, staff treatment, or horse welfare based on detailed allegations from a former equine professional.
- If you are seeking purely recreational or non-therapeutic riding activities, as the primary focus is on therapeutic programs.
- Serious allegations of poor management by a specific individual, 'Lisa the barn manager', including claims of rudeness, not appreciating staff, and lacking medical knowledge of horses.
- One former employee (a licensed and certified Equine Specialist and Veterinarian) expressed strong concerns about horse welfare and accused management of 'taking advantage of them' and providing 'very poor management and care'.
- Claims of 'very minimum paid' for some staff, which could potentially impact staff morale or retention, although other reviews praise overall staff quality.
- Crowds
- Not explicitly mentioned, but the facility is described as 'large' and operates with 'many many volunteers', suggesting it is equipped to handle a significant number of participants and visitors without necessarily feeling overcrowded.
- Value
- No specific pricing for children's programs is mentioned in the reviews. One review notes 'very minimum paid' for some staff, which might imply reliance on volunteer efforts to keep program costs down or highlight potential internal compensation issues. The value proposition appears high for the specialized therapeutic services and comprehensive facilities offered.
- Accessibility
- Extensive wheelchair accessible hallways and entrances throughout the entire facility.
- Safety
- Provides specialized equipment and gear to ensure safe mounting and riding, particularly for participants with physical limitations.
What parents say
"Absolutely heaven on Earth. They do AMAZING things here, and their volunteers are an amazing asset. All their employees are absolutely stellar, and it is a beautiful, clean, and wonderful place!"
3 months ago
"Premier therapeutic riding facility for Veterans, First Responders and special needs children. An amazing place that needs your support. If you are looking to volunteer someplace you have come to the right place. The need is great and the reward in doing so will leave you feeling warm and wonderful and doing a great service! Place on the top of your list to stop by and check it out!!"
a year ago
"I worked there for 2 years mainly for the horses, with very minimum paid, Lisa the barn “manager” claims to know about horses but she doesn’t, she is rude and doesn’t appreciate anyone there, I have a license and certification and I’m also en Equine specialist as well from path international, I’m a Veterinarian who have years of experience working with horses, and I cannot tell you enough about how rude she is, I even had one of the doctors who I used to work with to called her for a reference, and she literally trashed me according to Dr Tommy, he didn’t believe her and he also said she so"
5 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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