4-H Horse Project

male youth running with a sandy-brown horse

Saddle up for the Horse 4-H project area! Become experienced in horse nutrition, handling, safety, and care. Participate in the county horse program and show to learn riding techniques, patterns, and showmanship. Create posters or do demonstrations to show this knowledge. Whether you’re a horse enthusiast or just starting out, there’s plenty of opportunities in the Horse 4-H project area.

Ages and Stages of Youth Development

Beginners

Beginners learn safety and horse basics. They gain confidence in evaluating conformation. Horseback, they will begin performing basic patterns, controlling speed and direction of horse, and creating a firm and correct seat.

Juniors

Juniors have a knowledge of husbandry, vitals, and health care and can present oral reasons on horse evaluation. Horseback, they increase confidence in skills, difficulty of patterns at a variety of gates, and improve coordination of aids.

Seniors

Seniors display knowledge of diseases, genetics, and nutrition and evaluate a variety of classes: halter and performance. Horseback, they display confidence in seat position, smoothly use all aids, and efficiently ride patterns.

4-H Programming Priorities

Leadership

Assist in coaching a judging, quiz bowl, or hippology team. Plan a horse show or clinic. Volunteer to help with horse safety training for younger 4-H members.

Health & Wellness

Riding and caring for a horse promotes physical fitness. Core strength and exercise help form a strong seat. Research shows horses improve mood and relieve stress.

Science

Learning about nutrition, diseases, and genetics provides platform for 4-H’ers to explore science. Youth get hands on math skills when balancing rations.

Agriculture

Knowledge and insight into the size of the equine industry and its impact across agriculture, horse project members contribute and actively engage in agriculture.

Get Involved

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Youth Voice

  • Presentation on a horse related topic
  • Share knowledge with a community group or horse club
  • Create a vaccination information display
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Community Service

  • Volunteer at local stable or equine therapy center
  • Organize clothing and tack swap
  • Plan a fun show or trail ride
  • Coach a judging team
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Career Connections

  • Horse trainer
  • Farrier
  • Equine industry professional
  • Veterinarian
  • Nutritionist
  • Reproductive specialist

Exhibit Ideas

  • Show in a county, state, or fun horse show
  • Create a leather product
  • Participate in a trail ride
  • Make a horse first aid kit
  • Make riding apparel and equipment
  • Participate in hippology, quiz bowl, public presentation, or judging

Learning Resources

Related Topics

4-H Projects, 4-H Animal & Biological Sciences Project

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