Horse

Young girl on horse

What is it all about?

Love horses? Want to learn more? In this project, you will have the opportunity to take your love of horses to the next level—the 4-H level. You will find interesting and exciting activities in this project like:

  • Groundwork
  • Understanding horse behavior
  • Breed identification
  • Safety on and around horses
  • Tack
  • Riding skills
  • Trail riding
  • Health Care
  • Planning/budgeting for owning a horse

Later, show off your knowledge of horses by taking part in Hippology (study of horses) and Horse Quiz Bowl.

Horse | Horseless Horse

Grow in Your Project

Beginner

  • Understand what your horse is telling you.
  • Demonstrate how to use grooming tools.
  • Use safe practices around horses.
  • Learn how to keep your horse healthy and well fed.

Intermediate

  • Learn tooth identification and care.
  • Learn about proper nutrition for your horse.
  • Become familiar with English & Western equipment.
  • Learn proper riding skills in the arena and on trails.
  • Demonstrate how groundwork ties into riding.

Advanced

  • Learn to establish your horse’s health baselines.
  • Execute patterns on the ground and in the saddle.
  • Learn leadership skills and debate about horse related
    topics.
  • Mentor a youth in the Horse Project.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills.

Member Resources

Horse curriculum cover

Horse Project Curriculum
5 levels (grades 3-12)

Free Downloads

Project Leader Resources

Statewide Events and Opportunities

Girl riding horse through posts

State 4-H Gymkhana

Wisconsin State 4-H Gymkhana is an annual horse and pony competition featuring speed pattern racing events including: Cloverleaf Barrels, Flag Race, Plug Race, Pole Bending, LT Special, and Key Races. This event is a fun and challenging opportunity for 4-H Youth to showcase their skills and connect with other 4-H members from across the state.

Audience: Grades 6-13

Brown horse in a field.

State 4-H Horse Education Days, Horse Bowl, and Hippology Contest

The 4-H Horse Bowl provides an opportunity for youth to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting. These contests provide an educational experience for both participants and spectators.

Audience: Grades 3-13

Young girl showing horse in indoor arena

State Horse Expo

The State 4-H Horse Expo is an annual event for all youth enrolled in the 4-H Horse Program and draws hundreds of youth and horses. Youth participate in a wide variety of educational project and riding competitions focused on horse experience.

Audience: Grades 3-13

horse in showring

4-H Hunt & Dressage Show

The 4-H Hunt and Dressage Show is a 3-day clinic featuring a dressage clinics and show, over fences clinics and show, and flat and pleasure classes. Youth can attend educational clinics and showcase their skills in a variety of individual and group dressage classes.

Audience: Grades 6-13

person riding horse

State 4-H Horse Leader’s Conference

The Conference is intended to offer educational workshops that include both information and hands-on activity ideas for leaders to utilize when teaching youth, provide a forum for strengthening communications relative to the 4-H Horse and Pony Project, and provide an opportunity for participants to network and share experiences.

Audience: Grades 7+

horse with tack in field

Midwest Horse Fair Tack Sale

Let us sell your used tack while you enjoy the Midwest Horse Fair!

Audience: All ages

Take Your Project Further!

BELONGING

  • Find out who else is in the Horse Project. Get to know them.
  • Invite other members of your club to join the project with you

INDEPENDENCE

  • Set project goals that challenge you to learn and try new things.
  • Research your favorite part of the horse industry.

GENEROSITY

  • Help plan a horse show or activity to support the horse project.
  • Share horse photos or project achievements with senior citizens and/or preschoolers.

MASTERY

  • Mentor younger members in the Horse Project.
  • Give a short presentation about your project to younger youth.

Applying Project Skills to Life

Healthy Living
Learn to win and lose gracefully. It is part of a healthy mindset.
Learn about foods that are for both humans and horses.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Learn how to balance a ration.
Build a model paddock or barn for your horse

Community Engagement
Volunteer at a horse rescue and/or therapeutic riding program.
Create a model horse display to show at a public location.

Leadership
Offer your club a project demonstration on grooming, saddling, nutrition, etc.
Lead a “horseless horse” workshop for interested youth.

Pathways Beyond 4-H

Many careers and college programs have connections to the horse industry. The Horse Project will help you explore your interests while gaining valuable knowledge.

Careers to consider:

  • Veterinarian
  • Horse Trainer
  • Horse Chiropractor
  • Veterinary Technician
  • Nutritionist
  • Medical Technology Specialist
  • Photographer

You may also gain these personal qualities:

  • Problem solving
  • Decision making
  • Public speaking
  • Teamwork
  • Sportsmanship

Caution Corner

For more information on 4-H policies and procedures, please visit Wisconsin 4-H Policies. For more information on State 4-H Horse Association rules, guidelines, and activities, view the Wisconsin 4-H Horse Association Handbook. Some of the project policies to be aware of include:

Youth must be in 3rd grade or higher to participate.

No bareback or riding double.

Closed toe shoes or boots are required when near a horse. Boots with a cut-out heel must be worn when mounted.

No stallions are allowed.

Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) approved helmets, with harness fastened, must be worn at all times when mounted or driving.

Clothing appropriate for the activity is required. It protects participants from the elements around the event.

Showing What You Learned

  • Make a poster about horse breeds, parts of a horse, or the horse reproductive system.
  • Make a poster showing the parts of English or Western saddles.
  • Create a display of forages used to feed horses.
  • Demonstrate proper handling during groundwork.
  • Make a chart to show the expenses of owning a horse.
  • Make a display explaining body condition scores of horses.
  • Create a photo collage of your horse.
  • Demonstrate proper hoof care.
  • Research careers in the horse industry. Make a poster.
  • Research the history of horses.
  • Make a poster showing the physical changes over time.
  • Create an exercise or feeding log for your horse. Explain why it is important.

Recording What You Learned

  • What went well?
  • If you could change something, what would it be? Why?
  • What can you do to encourage younger members to get involved?
  • What was the most challenging part of the project?

For more information on 4-H policies and procedures, please visit Wisconsin 4-H Policies. For more information on State 4-H Horse Association rules, guidelines, and activities, view the Wisconsin 4-H Horse Association Handbook.

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