4-H Therapeutic Riding & Activity Center
The Mississippi State University Extension Service's 4-H Therapeutic Riding and Activity Center (TRAC) promotes therapeutic riding through educational and research-based activities. The program has earned premier accreditation through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). 4-H TRAC's goal is to develop a model therapeutic riding program based on NARHA guidelines, which require high safety and professional standards. The TRAC program is located at the 4-H Elizabeth A. Howard arena, 806 West Churchill Road, West Point, Mississippi, on property donated by Jimmy Bryan. The arena was donated by Tommy and Brenda Howard.
Therapeutic riding is a specialized equine activity that provides physical, emotional, and psychological benefits to children and adults with disabilities. Through carefully planned activities developed by a certified riding instructor, the horse is used as a treatment tool to help the rider achieve his or her goals.
4-H and Therapeutic Riding Work Together
Regardless of ability, all people desire and deserve challenging, fulfilling lives. Therapeutic horseback riding focuses on the individual's abilities rather than his or her disabilities.
4-H recognizes this philosophy and promotes it in its programming. The 4-H ideals are represented in the mission of the therapeutic riding program. The mission of
4-H is to assist youth with acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directed, productive, contributing members of society.