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More about Horse 4-H

4-H Horse members, parents, and leaders,

We are excited about this up coming year and all that we have planed. Our horse program is a year round program that incorporated on the horse and off the horse education. 4-H is all bout raising kids, not horses. The horse project allows us to teach youth a great deal about responsibility, animal care, team work, training and teaching skills, nutrition, communication and so much more!

In our 4-H Horse Program we encourage participation in a wide range of events. Along with our shows(which are covered below) we hold Public Speaking Demonstrations, Portfolios (record books), Horse Bowl (quiz game), family trail-rides, service projects, and fun games.

General Activity Schedule (vary from year to year)
Spring (Feb-April) Various Clinics Practice First Horse Show	Summer (May-Aug) Horse Quiz Bowl County Contests Regional Contests State Contests County Horse Shows Family camp Regional Horse Show	Fall (Sept-October) State Horse Show Fundraiser Trail Ride Portfolio–4-H Record book Awards Night Halloween Costume Party	Winter (Nov-Jan) Holiday Season Some practice Gymkhanas Fundraisers

Working Ranch Horse Program

I have been asked what skills do you have to have to be involved in this program. The answer is basic horse riding skills. All the events they will learn in this program can and will be taught in practices and Gatherings. Each of the “Gatherings” involve friendly competition and a relaxed training/learning event. This program is structured with units the youth pass off by demonstrating competence in skill and knowledge. The main categories include:

Riding Skills:
Safety:
Basic Handling/Restraint:
Horse and Livestock Identification:
Ranch Working Equipment:
Roping:
Youth/Horse working skills:
Leadership & Communication Skills:

This is a great program where youth and adults can come together, hang out, and teaching each other, while working to improve your own skills.

For and Working Ranch Horse program rules & Project Levels

Horse Shows

At each show, participants will take a written test and compete in three events.

Pleasure Shows (judged events)
(Halter, Western Pleasure, Western Reining)
Each rider is given one of the following ribbons
under the discretion of the judge:

- Blue, Red, White, Orange (DQ)

Note: The judge is not required to give a % of
any of one or another ribbon type.

Speed Shows
(Barrels, Poles, Flag Race)

Riders are ranked by time. They are then broken
up into three main groups following the natural
break (loosely 25%, 50%, 25%).

Point system:

1 for an Orange Ribbon

5 for a White Ribbon

10 for a Red Ribbon

15 for a Blue Ribbon

+5 points for attending exhibitor meeting .

The top 5 places are given extra (bonus) points

1^st + 5 (thus a blue 1^st = 20pts)

2^nd + 4

3^rd + 3

4^th + 2

5^th + 1

Horse Program Awards

Year-end Participation Award:

(Must participate in the following)

· Three shows -

One pleasure, one speed, and the third: your choice of the two

· Three tests

· County Contests (Demonstrations)

· Portfolio

· Service project (County wide or
Club)

· Fundraiser (County Horse Program
– Usually Lions clean-up)

High Point Individual Award

Combined points of the following

(Top placing individuals) (Pts. Possible)

· 2 speed and 2 pleasure shows 45+ each

· 4 tests (from the four top shoes) 15+ each

· County Contest (Demonstrations) 100

· Portfolio 100

· Most have participated in at least one service
project

Note: If you do not participate in the fundraiser you will not receive the prize, but a certificate indicating you placing.

Special Certificates:

· Top Test

· Top Pleasure

· Top Speed

Club Nominated Awards:

· Most Improved Member: Those members who have shown considerable growth in developing new skills.

· Sportsmanship: Those youth who cheer and support their fellow 4-Hers. Those who go out of their way to make others feel good and build their self confidence. Interested in the welfare of others more than what they are ranked.

Mentor Awards:

· Excellence in Mentoring – those youth who take time to “pass-on” skills they have learned. Focus on teaching others rather that focus on themselves and their current points.

Tests will be from: Horse & Horse
Horsemanship Science

Show 1 Chapters 1-2 Chapters 1-2

Show 2 Chapters 3-4 Chapters 3-5

Show 3 Chapters 5-6 Chapters 6-7

Show 4 Chapters 6-7 Chapters 8-9

Show 5 Chapters 8-10 Chapters 10-12

Show 6 Ch 11 & Apdx A&B Chapters 13-15

Note:  Juniors – questions taken from Horse and Horsemanship (HH) (90%) and the rule book (10%).
            Intermediates – questions taken from HH (approx. 60%), Horse Science (HS) (30%), and the rule book (10%).
            Seniors – questions taken from HH (approx. 30%), Horse Science (HS) (60%), and the rule book (10%).

For more information, please look at out Horse Guide.