Riding Programs

Whole Kids Outreach’s Riding Program is an innovative component of our integrated, comprehensive approach to health and wellness needs. The riding program helps children and adults alike to create needed changes in their lives and to restore balance within their family structures and personal environments. WKO’s riding program is a comprehensive, skill building, exercise, and therapeutic program. All riding disciplines and levels are accommodated and participants are taught to care for the horses and equipment as well as to improve their horsemanship. The program empowers participants with a wealth of skills for navigating daily life. It also gives parents an opportunity to see their children in a positive light. The shared sense of accomplishment and increased self-worth is elemental to the enhancement of positive interactions between parents and their children. The unique instruction and promotes motor development and relationship skill building; provides a therapeutic outlet for troubled and/or at-risk youth; and increases participating children’s likelihood of entering school ready to learn through an innovative enhancement of learning abilities (i.e. respect, patience, following directions, etc.).

Physical Benefits:
Working with horses, both on the ground and aboard the horse helps to increase coordination and strengthen muscles. The riders’ muscles are used and strengthened from the time the participants walk out to catch their mount, throughout the grooming tasks, and while working to attain the balance necessary to ride correctly.

The Riding Program activities include:
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• Riding sessions for individual clients in the outreach programs—any Outreach Specialist or RN can refer clients from their caseload to work with the Riding Director to help address specific needs such as: increasing attention levels, decreasing sedentary life style, working through emotional wounds, etc.

• Day Camp—all campers receive daily riding instructions as well as lessons on how to handle themselves around large horses. They learn to groom, tack, lead, and follow the barn rules.

• Circle Kids Riding Club—is an after school program that runs in the spring and fall months. It offers much the same experience as the Day Camp programs.

• Private and Small Group Lessons—Private and small group riding lessons are available throughout the week and on Saturdays. All level riders and all disciplines are welcome. Improve your skills for your next horse show or improve your riding and horse handling skills for the sheer pleasure of spending time with either your horse or one of the great WKO school horses.

• Juvenile Drug Court—a teen program that is the result of our partnership with the Wayne County Juvenile court system. All of the participants are wards of the court and need to meet certain criteria to be able to participate in weekly riding sessions at WKO. The program provides a recreational activity that is an alternate to drug and alcohol use, and one that also teaches respect and relationship building skills.

• Local Schools and Home School Student Equine Studies Programs—Both of these programs are designed to allow students to move through a comprehensive curriculum at their own pace. The lessons target students ages 10 years old and up, as there are lectures and written tests included in the program. Students can participate in one learning series or ongoing series. For example, a group may choose to schedule an intensive week-long workshop (6 hours/day); a series of 2-5 day workshops; one day/week for a semester or year(s); or any combination of the above options. Families of Home School Students are also welcome to join the equine studies program. Whole Kids Outreach has a beautiful guest house (The Giving House) that sleeps up to 22 visitors. All out of town participants are welcome to stay on WKO’s property while taking part in the equine studies program.

The Equine Studies Programs activities include both lectures and hands-on work with the horses at the barn. Students will complete both written and practical exams in order to progress to the next level. Depending on the agreed upon schedule for learning sessions, the students will demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: (listed by sequence of lessons). Each student will be evaluated on entry to the program and begin their lessons at an appropriate point in the lesson sequence. Advanced students, for example may begin their learning sessions at number 29 below.

Our Program Coordinator and Trainer:
Stacia Moe is veteran horse owner and professional riding instructor (both English and Western), who has shown nationally. She is a qualified trainer for all level riders and horses. Possessing a degree in Equine Studies and having worked throughout the States. Stacia has been with Whole Kids Outreach for five years and responsible for the developing and implementing all equine programs, care of the horses and facilities. She is not only a talented professional, but also a delightful and energetic instructor.

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