Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy
Crozet, Virginia
Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART) is a nonprofit in Crozet, Virginia that provides therapeutic riding for children and adults with special needs in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. Its website describes CART as an accredited PATH Intl. center, and all lessons are taught by a PATH-certified instructor.
- Therapeutic riding lessons
- Small group classes of three or four riders
- Spring, summer and fall sessions
- Outdoor arena, with an indoor arena when needed
- Volunteer program
- Children with special needs
- Adults with special needs
- Families in Charlottesville and surrounding areas
More about this center
About the Program
CART describes its lessons as flexible and rider-centered, mixing play with skill-building. Classes have three or four riders, with one to three volunteers assigned to each rider as needed. Lessons run 30 minutes to an hour and usually take place in the outdoor arena, with an indoor arena available when needed.
Activities listed on the website include call-and-response, color, letter and shape recognition, stretching, steering practice, obstacle courses and games. Riders need long pants and closed-toe shoes, and hard-soled boots are recommended. Helmets are provided, or riders can bring their own pre-approved helmet.
Sessions and Cost
Sessions run in the spring, summer and fall. The 8-week spring or fall session costs $330 and the 6-week summer session costs $240, with payment due by the first day of the session. Families who would like help with the cost can contact CART about scholarships. The Valarie Caretsky Scholarship and Donation Fund, created by Bill Caretsky in memory of his wife Valarie, supports riders who come to CART from the Lafayette School in Charlottesville.
The Horses and Staff
Sarah Daly is the program director and a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). She has worked in therapeutic riding since the 1980s, starting in Buffalo, New York. Kim O'Donnell is also a CTRI instructor. The Meet the Horses page lists seven horses: Beauty, Pearl, Frankie, Willow, Rocky, Cindy and Bristol.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be at least 14, provide their own transportation and commit to a full 6- or 8-week session. Horse or special-needs experience is preferred but not required, and an orientation is provided. Volunteers serve as horse leaders or side walkers, and can also help with horse and donkey care, barn chores, events and social media.
Location
CART is on a private farm in Crozet, Virginia, west of Charlottesville. Its mailing address is 5924 Fried Farm Road, Crozet, Virginia 22932. Visits are by appointment only. The mailing address leads map apps to the office rather than the barn, so the Contact and Directions page gives directions through the farm's metal gates to the brown barn.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I sign up for lessons?
Fill out the inquiry form on CART's Lessons page to check current availability, or contact cart@cartcrozet.org or (434) 823-1178.
How much do lessons cost?
An 8-week spring or fall session is $330 and a 6-week summer session is $240. Families who would like help with the cost can contact CART about scholarships.
Can I drop by to see the barn?
No. CART is on private property and asks that visitors come by appointment only.
How old do volunteers need to be?
Volunteers must be at least 14 and able to attend for a full session. UVA students are asked to contact Madison House.
Location
Crozet, Virginia 22932
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.