Want to explore how horses can be more than fun?
Sharing skills and knowledge is what the 4-H Proud Equestrians Program (PEP) is all about. Riders with disabilities and the volunteers who work with them can gain great satisfaction through this therapeutic horseback riding program.
With the help of trained and caring volunteers, riders can improve balance, coordination, posture and muscle tone. Horseback riding also increases self-esteem, self-confidence, discipline and social growth. But more importantly, riding is fun!
The Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrians Program was introduced in 1974 in partnership with Lida McCowan, executive director of the Cheff Center for the Handicapped, and with support from a three-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg and C.S. Mott Foundations. Today, this equestrian program reaches out to individuals with disabilities both young and old throughout Michigan, providing opportunities to learn to ride a horse and develop horsemanship skills.
How to get involved
The Michigan 4-H Proud Equestrians Program offers opportunities for people with and without disabilities to work together as:
- Riders – Young people and adults with physical, developmental, emotional or multiple disabilities
- Volunteers – Young people and adults who assist riders as needed until the riders develop the skills they need to ride independently
- Instructors – People who teach riding, horsemanship and stable management skills; special certification as a therapeutic riding instructor for handicappers is required
- Horse owners – The “heroes” of the program are the quiet, horses and ponies, trained to respond to the needs of riders with disabilities; owners of suitable animals who are willing to loan, lease or donate to their local program are always needed
The dates and times that programs are offered vary according to community needs and resources. Some programs meet once or twice a week for eight to ten weeks during spring and fall. Other classes meet only during summer, and some other programs meet year-round.
Contact
For more information on how to get involved as a youth or volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office or:
Dr. Christine Skelly – Proud Equestrian Project (PEP) contact person
skellych@msu.edu
810-338-8200
News
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Hackett honored as outstanding 4-H agriculture volunteer
Published on September 25, 2024
Charity Hackett of Berrien County was among five Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients honored in 2024. -
Michigan 4-H Foundation supports statewide 4-H programs with learning experience sponsorships
Published on November 7, 2023
For the 2023-24 program year, the Michigan 4-H Foundation funded $104,000 in sponsorships for 20 statewide 4-H learning experiences. -
KSRP establishes Kent County 4-H Special Riding Program Legacy Fund
Published on November 3, 2021
The Kent Special Riding Program (KSRP) created the Kent County 4-H Special Riding Program Legacy Fund with the Michigan 4-H Foundation to support low-cost therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities. -
Raise your hand for Michigan 4-H!
Published on March 28, 2019
Join me in voting for Michigan 4-H to support the next generation of 4-H’ers. -
Grau and Hammer honored as outstanding 4-H agriculture volunteers
Published on October 11, 2018
Kathy Grau and Mary Hammer of the Washtenaw County 4-H Junior Livestock Committee were among four Michigan Farm Bureau 4-H Excellence in Agriculture Award recipients.
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