Horsepower...

...is HEALING power !

The Oakland County 4H Proud Equestrian Program (PEP 4H) is a therapeutic riding program for people who are mentally and/or physically challenged. It improves physical, social and emotional needs in a recreational setting.

Families and volunteers share the rider’s joy as they accomplish goals and experience success. This shared experience creates a bond among families, their rider, horse and volunteers. This bond we hope lessens the sense of isolation that families often experience.

• Safety is always our number one concern
• Improved motor coordination and balance: Riding a horse requires both coordination and balance. Because of this, therapeutic horseback riding improves these areas in students who may otherwise have difficulties due to their disabilities.
• Core Strengthening: The movement of the horse at walk replicates the normal human gait of walking.

BOH-PEP and our instructors are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
BOH-PEP is an Oakland County 4H Youth Development, Michigan State University Extension program. Our primary sponsors are Variety, The Children’s Charity (Tent 5) and the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club.

We are grateful to them and for all the many volunteers that make this valuable, impactful program possible.
To participate in 2027 BOH-PEP 4-H, this is what will be required of you. Please read and be prepared to complete the following list (1-9) which previews the application process. Required documents will be sent to you in January by our 4-H office, so please be sure you are enrolled in Oakland County 4-H.

Current 4-H enrollment is required of all program rider families. There is no fee for enrolling.
Families can join 4-H any time after September 1, 2026, for the year 2027. Specific PEP forms will be sent in January.
Questions regarding 4-H membership should be directed to Kelly Morris, kemorris@msu.edu, or Jordan Hewitt, hewittj8@msu.edu, our 4-H program manager.
A face-to-face evaluation will be required for all new to the program rider candidates to determine if the program is a good fit for them. In some cases, returning riders will also need to be evaluated.
To determine if the applicant is a compatible match for the program, we need their height, weight and if they use special equipment (walker, wheelchair, braces, for example). Complete information allows the professional instructors to arrive at the best decision for the rider (and four-legged volunteer)!
We will refund the $50.00 fee if we are unable to place your applicant.
To be considered for the program (any session) the application and all the forms must be completed and returned, along with your check for $50.00, payable to BOH-PEP 4-H CLUB no later than March 1, 2027. Class size is limited. (If you are unable to pay the $50.00 fee, please contact Mame for a confidential discussion regarding the possibility of a scholarship for your rider).
Please include a current head/shoulder photo (school photo? Would be perfect!)
We must have ALL the forms completed to consider the rider for placement. We cannot accept photocopies or email attachments (Physician signature is required by 4-H. Sometimes called a “wet” signature).

Current 4-H enrollment is required of all program rider families. There is no fee for enrolling.

Questions regarding 4-H membership should be directed to Kelly Morris, kemorris@msu.edu, or Jordan Hewitt, hewittj8@msu.edu, our 4-H program manager.
A face-to-face evaluation will be required for all new to the program rider candidates to determine if the program is a good fit for them. In some cases, returning riders will also need to be evaluated.
To determine if the applicant is a compatible match for the program, we need their height, weight and if they use special equipment (walker, wheelchair, braces, for example). Complete information allows the professional instructors to arrive at the best decision for the rider (and four-legged volunteer)!
We will refund the $50.00 fee if we are unable to place your applicant.
To be considered for the program (any session) the application and all the forms must be completed and returned, along with your check for $50.00, payable to BOH-PEP 4-H CLUB no later than March 1, 2027. Class size is limited. (If you are unable to pay the $50.00 fee, please contact Mame for a confidential discussion regarding the possibility of a scholarship for your rider).
Please include a current head/shoulder photo (school photo? Would be perfect!)
We must have ALL the forms completed to consider the rider for placement. We cannot accept photocopies or email attachments (Physician signature is required by
4-H, sometimes called a “wet” signature).

https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_enrollment
https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/volunteer_home

Mame Orban Administrative Director BOH-PEP 4H
248-990-1289 marydellen@yahoo.com

Volunteer Coordinator : Sue Agauas
586 707 1369 smagauas@gmail.com

Jordan Hewitt, 4H Program Coordinator
hewittj8@msu.edu,

MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.