[Print Friendly PDF of the HORSE Project Guide]

4-H’ers must be 8 years old as of September 1st of the current
4-H program year to enroll in a large animal project. 

Horse Project

In the 4-H Horse projects, you will learn:

• how to identify breeds and select quality horses;
• best practices for animal care and management;
• safe and ethical practices for animal welfare;
• fiitting and showing skills; and
• skills such as decision-making, getting along with others, self-responsibility, planning and organizing, and improving your knowledge of general science and technology.

Choose From These HORSE Projects:

• HORSELESS HORSE PROJECT
• HORSES

Project Materials - HORSELESS HORSE
(For Youth Ages 8-18) 

This series offers you the opportuntiy to learn about the needs and uses of horses as well as the parts of a horse and their different breeds. Horse ownership is not required to complete this project. 

HORSELESS HORSE PROJECT
Member and Leader Manuals (Ages 8-18) 
HS1 1      Love a Horse I     
HS1 2      Love a Horse II
HS1 H     Helper’s Guide

HORSELESS HORSE Level 1

• Love a Horse I explores basic information about the needs and uses of horses in today's world.   In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 176. [County Ordering Info]

HORSELESS HORSE Level 2

• Love a Horse II continues to explore basic information about the needs and uses of horses in today's world. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 176. [County Ordering Info]

HORSELESS HORSE Leader/Helper Guide

This Helper's Guide will help you support youth in his or her efforts to set goals and complete activities, as well as providing resources for the member's to use in completing the series. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 174. [County Ordering Info]

Project Materials - HORSES
(For Youth Ages 8-18) 

This series offers you the opportuntiy to learn about selection, housing, feeding, health, behavior and showing of horses. The guides include activities related to breeds, health care, grooming, production, reproduction, management, showmanship, marketing, and careers.

HORSES Level 1 - Junior Level (Ages 8-10) 

• Giddy Up & Go explores breed identification, horse body parts, selection, grooming, saddling and bridling, design the perfect horse, safety and equipment. Available through National 4-H Council.
• Junior Level 1 Horse Advancement Project is for 4-H members who are just beginning to ride a horse. This will help you keep records of shows you attend as well as your equestrian abilities. Members will need to be supervised during some of the activities. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 177.

HORSES Level 2 - Intermediate Level (Ages 11-13) 

• Head, Heart & Hooves explores horse behavior, anatomy and basic care practices. Available through National 4-H Council.
• Stable Relationships explores keeping horses healthy while practicing basic care techniques. Available through National 4-H Council.
• Intermediate Level 2 Horse Advancement Project, made for 4-H members ages 11 and older, will help you keep records of your shows and equestrian abilities. Members will need to be supervised during some of their activities. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 178.

HORSES Level 3 - Senior Level (Ages 14-18) 

• Riding the Range explores beginning riding skills and everything you need to know before getting on a horse for the first time. Some of the activities are round pen workout, bridle in a bucket, saddle up, where do you ride and basic riding. Available through National 4-H Council.
• Jumping to New Heights explores the quarter system, showmanship, self-rating sheets, goal selection and sportsmanship. Available through National 4-H Council.
• Senior Level 3 Horse Advancement Project, made for 4-H members ages 14 and 15, is meant to help you keep records of your shows and equestrian abilities as well as better understand his/her horse and how to care for his/her horse.  Members will have the opportunity to advance their riding and handling skills, and learn how to make their experience with horses more interesting and enjoyable. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 179.
• Senior Level 4 Horse Advancement Project, made for 4-H members ages 16 - 18, is meant to help you better understand the principles of horse management and to allow you to assist younger 4-H members involved in horse projects. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 221.

HORSES Leader/Helper Guides

• The Horse Basic Series Helper's Guide will help you support youth in his or her efforts to set goals and complete activities, as well as providing resources for the member's to use in completing the basic horse project series. Available through National 4-H Council.
• The Horse Advancement Helper's Guide will help you support youth in his or her efforts to set goals and complete activities, as well as providing resources for the member's to use in completing the series. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 175. [County Ordering Info]

LEVELS 1-2-3: Project Record Materials:

4-H Horse Project Record
This is a horse project record book for all 4-H members ages 8 and older. The record book is for any 4-H member who has a horse or who manages a horse. They will be required to keep accurate records on the horse including feed and farrier records. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 180. [County Ordering Info]

Supplemental Materials:

General Horse Publications

4-H Horse Program: Horses and Horsemanship
This horse project reference manual is suggested for 4-H members ages 12 and up. It contains subjects from breeds, to color, judging, showing, safety, and others. Due to the size of this publication you will need to print by chapter (see column on the right). An updated version is also available through National 4-H Council.

4-H Horse Program: Horse Science
This horse publication is suggested for 4-H members age 12 and up. This project reference manual contains topics ranging from behavior, anatomy and action, reproduction, digestive system, parasites, and more. Horse Program: Unit I Horses and Horsemanship should be completed prior to beginning this unit. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 040.  Due to the size of this publication you will need to print by chapter (see column on the right). An updated version is also available through National 4-H Council.

Preparation & Presentation of Oral Reasons in Horse Judging
This horse publication is suggested for 4-H members on horse judging teams age 13 and up. This can be used with The Evaluation of Oral Reasons Form (below). This fact sheet guides members through a horse judging contest and how to develop a set of oral reasons. In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 056.

Evaluation of Oral Reasons for Horse Judging 
This horse publication is for 4-H members on horse judging teams age 13 and up. It is a judging form used with the 4-H Preparation and Presentation of Oral Reasons in Horse Judging Contests Guide (above).  In EDIS this publication is DLN 4H 057.

4-H Horse Judging Manual - Texas A&M 
This horse publication is suggested for 4-H Members on horse judging teams. This manual explains how to evaluate horses in contests or as potential purchases. It covers conformation, performance and oral reasons. Item AS 3-2.051. Corresponding leader piece is Item AS 1-2.120.

Additional Materials

Horse Learning Lab Kit - Ohio State University
This kit includes units on anatomy, breeds, care & management, conformation, identification systems, quality assurance, selection & evaluation. These popular kits provide the basis for interactive learning experiences. Kit components include posters, labels, statements, demonstration items, and charts. All posters, charts, prints and situation/task statements are laminated for increased durability with answer keys on the reverse side. Kit includes Velcro to adhere to identification tags, and zipper pouches for tag storage. Each kit is packaged in a durable canvas carrying case for easy use, storage and transportation. Item 4042K.

Horse Learning Lab CD-ROM - Ohio State University
Based on the learning lab kit, this CD-ROM will provide you with interactive quiz exercises for study of: anatomy (animal skeleton, external features), breed identification, care and management, conformation, identification, quality assurance (safe handling and medication) and selection and evaluation. An Adobe Acrobat version of the Educators' Resource Materials Set, and Educators Curriculum Guide is included on the CD-ROM. Works on Macintosh and Windows.. Item 4053CD.

Horse Pattern 
This horse project training aid will help 4-H members make their own model horse by using the pattern in the book.  Activities that can be demonstrated on the horse are administering medication, identifying parts of the horse, and many others. Available through National 4-H Council.

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