Therapeutic Riding Instruction - TRAC
Therapeutic Riding At Centenary (TRAC) is a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) premier accredited center serving North and Central New Jersey.
TRAC is housed at the Centenary Equestrian Center, Califon Road, Long Valley on Schooley's Mountain. TRAC serves children and adults with a variety of disabilities from the surrounding area. It also offers volunteer opportunities to local high school students and others interested in assisting riders with disabilities.
TRAC is also home to a NARHA-approved instructor certification program. Through a series of four courses, Instructors in Training (ITs) prepare for certification by completing two semesters of course work and 25 hours of instruction of riders with disabilities in the TRAC program.
Centenary College is also home to an approved instruction training course for NARHA Instructors in Training (ITs) prepare for certification by completing two semesters of course work.
Download a description of the instructor training course 
NARHA-approved TR Instructor Certification program
Course work covers study of a variety of disabilities and how to adapt the riding situation for the individual needs of each client. The two-semester instruction practicum allows ITs to develop their teaching skills. They also learn how to select and train horses and ponies for TR work, how to work with and train volunteers, and how to create an individual program for various special populations. Each student instructor must complete at least 25 hours of supervised instruction in therapeutic riding. ITs must also successfully take NARHA on-line examinations to prove that they meet NARHA's standards for instructors. They are then qualified to take the final certification examination offered by the NARHA to become Registered or Advanced Instructors.
Therapeutic horseback riding offers a variety of benefits for children and adults with disabilities. As a physical activity, sitting on a moving horse causes the rider's upper body to respond to the movement of the horse in a three-dimensional manner. The rhythm of 80 - 100 steps each minute stimulates reflexes and balance reactions in a way that cannot be duplicated by the human therapist.
On the psychological and emotional level, the thrill of being seated on a horse or pony that is trained to respond willingly to the rider's signals is a powerful benefit. As a form of cognitive therapy, the rider learns to relate to the space of the riding arena including other riders and special equipment, and interact with his horse to navigate safely.
The program is directed by Octavia Brown, ED.M., H.C. associate professor of Equine studies at Centenary College. Dr. Brown is a NARHA Master Instructor.
Volunteering at TRAC
All therapeutic riding programs rely on volunteers to assist in lessons. Experienced horse people are asked to lead horses and assist in getting them ready for lessons an putting them away afterwards. People with little to no experience around horses can assist by acting as sidewalkers – some riders require a leader and two sidewalkers for safety reasons.
Orientation and training sessions are help regularly for new volunteers to learn how to become part of the treatment team. This involves watching an informative video, becoming familiar with various aspects of the TRAC program, and filling out required paperwork. For more information, contact TRAC at: 908-852-1400 ext 2274.
TRAC welcome letter 
Registration form for volunteers
TRAC emergency release
TRAC inquiries:
Dr. Octavia Brown, ED.M., H.C.
(908) 852-1400 x2174
browno@centenarycollege.edu
Difference between Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy
TR is often conducted under the guidance of a physical or occupational therapist or speech and language specialist. However, TR must be understood as different from hippotherapy which is conducted by a therapist for specific therapy-related goals.
Hippotherapy must be conducted according to the requirements of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). TRAC does not offer hippotherapy at this time.
Opportunities for riders with special needs to ride at TRAC
We welcome applications from riders with disabilities to join the TRAC program. There are eligibility guidelines for all potential TRAC riders.
Each individual must have written permission from a physician before entering the program. An evaluation session is then scheduled so that rider, family and TRAC personnel can assess the individual’s needs and determine if they can be met by TRAC’s group lesson format.
