TerraNova Equestrian Center Establishes Miniature Horse-Focused 4-H Club in Manatee County

MYAKKA CITY, Fla., August 12, 2026—TerraNova Equestrian Center is proud to announce the establishment of its 4-H Club that will be focused on educating young people about the care and raising of miniature horses in Manatee County. 

A 4-H Club is a youth development organization that encourages its members to independently run all internal functions and provides the opportunity to form a community with peers who share the same interest and wish to delve deeper into a chosen subject. Members develop and demonstrate skills through public speaking, recordkeeping, project management, organization, and presentations. 

TerraNova Equestrian Center's 4-H Miniature Horse Club, Small Strides, was established with the mission of uniting young animal lovers from the ages of 8-17 within Manatee County and the surrounding areas who wish to learn more about caring for miniature horses. 

"Our goal is to make horsemanship and agricultural education approachable and meaningful for every young person in our community," said Libby Neily, Club Leader and Director of Equine Assisted Learning at TerraNova Equestrian Center. "Growing up, 4-H gave me a sense of community, purpose, and a path to learn skills I couldn't access anywhere else. We want to offer that same transformational experience to local youth, teaching them critical life skills like public speaking, accounting and project management that they can carry into adulthood, while helping them form bonds and memories they can look back on fondly. " 

Co-led by Myakka Elementary's Instructional Coach and MTSS Facilitator Megan Hennessey-Sequin, the club invites interested families and young animal lovers to attend the upcoming Open House on Aug. 13th at 6 p.m. at TerraNova Equestrian Center to learn more about registration, meet the leaders, and explore the facilities.  

"Through Small Strides, children will learn how to safely handle and care for miniature horses while developing horsemanship, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills," added Hennessey-Sequin. "Along the way, they’ll gain confidence, build lasting friendships, and discover the joy that comes from working with these remarkable animals. We hope this program becomes a place where young people can grow, not only as horsemen and horsewomen, but as caring, capable members of our community. " 

By providing facilities, staff support, and venue resources at a low cost to participating families for monthly club meetings and educational sessions, TerraNova aims to remove the traditional entry barriers to equestrian activities. Grounded in the national 4-H pledge, Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, the curriculum extends well beyond basic riding or horse care. Members will engage in comprehensive coursework covering equine nutrition, reproduction, care, and wild horse conservation, working through their choice of one out of three year-long project booklets that will be offered and judged at the county level. These booklets include the following titles: Discovering Horses, Horse Care, and Horse Science. 

Club meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at TerraNova Equestrian Center, with the first meeting occurring on Sept. 8th. 

Additionally, practice nights will also be offered each month, starting on September 17th at 6 p.m. at the Equilibrium Arena, to embrace the 4-H motto, “Learn by Doing”. 

For more information about the program or RSVP for the Open House, fill out this form. https://www.jotform.com/262168129390056