MSU Extension Equine Assisted Therapy Programs
Starkville, Mississippi
MSU Extension Equine Assisted Therapy Programs, also called Equine-Assisted Services (EAS), is run by the Mississippi State University Extension Service. The program moved from West Point to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville in 2024. It offers therapeutic riding for children with special needs, a veterans horsemanship program and unmounted equine-assisted learning.
- Therapeutic riding for children with special needs
- MSU Veterans Horsemanship Program
- Veterans support services
- Unmounted equine-assisted learning for children with special needs
- Equine-assisted learning groups for adolescents (behavioral health focus)
- Mentoring for future therapeutic riding instructors and new programs
- Children with special needs
- Children with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
- Military veterans
- Adolescents
More about this center
About the Program
According to MSU Extension, the therapeutic riding program accepts 12 riders per semester, and EAS serves up to 200 people a year across all of its programs. Riders usually ride once a week for 45 minutes to an hour. Veterans pick out a horse at the start of the semester and work with it through the term.
The program's Extension page says it has earned premier accreditation from PATH Intl. Before a rider starts, an instructor and a licensed therapy professional (PT, OT or SLP) assess the rider and set goals. Parents, teachers, counselors and therapists can add suggestions.
The Horses and Volunteers
MSU Extension says the program uses eight horses. Nearly all volunteers are MSU students. Each rider has a horse leader, who typically has some horse experience but does not need to be an expert, and two sidewalkers, who need no experience. The program also welcomes financial donations, donated horses and rider sponsorships.
History
The program previously ran at the Elizabeth A. Howard Therapeutic Riding and Activity Center in West Point. MSU Extension says it moved to the Mississippi Horse Park so families could reach it more easily, to save the cost of hauling horses, for more space, and to shorten the drive for student volunteers.
Location
Sessions are held at the Mississippi Horse Park, 869 East Poorhouse Road, Starkville, MS 39759. Some of the program's web pages still give the former West Point arena address, so confirm the location when you enroll.
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 we apply?
Contact program coordinator Lori Irvin at lji14@msstate.edu or 662-325-2802 for more information or an application. The riding program takes 12 riders per semester.
What does it cost?
For current costs, contact program coordinator Lori Irvin at 662-325-2802. See our guide to equine therapy costs for general background.
How can I volunteer?
Volunteers serve as horse leaders or sidewalkers, and sidewalkers need no horse experience. Email the coordinator to ask about volunteering.
Location
Starkville, Mississippi 39759
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.