4-H Horse Program

4-h horse and shooting sports photos for website

4-H Horse Program

4-H horse programs are about more than just equestrian skills. Youth gain extensive practical knowledge to ensure the health and wellbeing of their horse, while building citizenship, leadership, communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills. Contests like hippology, Horse bowl, horse judging and oral presentations offer fun environments for youth to further exhibit their knowledge.

Horse program participants must enroll through ZSuite and be ages 8 to 18 as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H program year. Cloverbuds (youth ages 5-7) are strictly prohibited from participating in any Idaho 4-H horse activity, event or meeting that involves handling, riding, driving or exhibiting a horse/equine. Individuals violating this university policy will be personally liable for any injuries, claims, lawsuits, etc. that might arise, and may be prohibited from further participation in the 4-H horse program.

Getting started

To get started, contact your local UI Extension county office to enroll and select one of two options:

Horse: Whether personally owned or leased, youth provide the primary care, feeding and management of their project horse(s) at least 90 days before exhibiting — counties may require submission of identification records.
Horseless horse: Designed for youth who don’t have access to a horse but want to learn more about them.

Leasing

Leasing is another option for youth who do not own a horse. The member, their parents and the horse’s owner should prepare a written lease (see sample horse lease agreement.pdf). Be sure to include member access to the horse during the entire duration, including exhibit dates, to avoid potential frustration and disappointment. A copy of the signed lease must be submitted to the member’s respective UI Extension office.

Optional focus areas

While all youth need to learn about responsible and safe handling, management and training of equines, they can pursue special interests in:

Dressage
Driving
Equitation
Hunter/jumper
Trail
Working ranch horse
Packing
Showmanship
Gymkhana/gaming

Equipment

Typically, Western or English attire/tack is used; check with your local UI Extension office for specific event rules. Members should have safe, clean, workmanlike attire and equipment — expensive clothing and tack are not required. For personal safety, two items are required:

Hard-sole shoes/boots — Must be worn at all times when working around horses.
Helmets — Extensive research reveals that ASTM/SEI equestrian helmets significantly reduce serious/fatal head injuries. Therefore, whenever 4-H members participate in any 4-H activity (including club practices) where mounted on or riding in a vehicle being pulled by an equine (horse, pony, mule, etc.), they must wear an ASTM/SEI approved equestrian helmet.

Parent involvement

Appropriate parental involvement helps strengthen family bonds. Besides transporting members and their horse(s) to and from activities, parents may be asked to assist in various roles. For safety and liability reasons, all members and parents must follow certified volunteer and UI Extension personnel directions.

Events

Youth can participate in state and national horse contests, building on experiences at the club, county or district level. Learn more about opportunities.

Activity rules and project documents

Idaho’s 4-H horse program has adopted contest rules based on National 4-H standards. Explore the activity rules and view other important project documents and forms.

Youth council

The Idaho 4-H Youth Horse Council (I4-HYHC) serves in an advisory capacity to University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth Development program. They assist in identifying potential educational activities/resources, collaborate in conducting state equine-related events and are positive youth development advocates within the 4-H horse program.

Council membership consists of one UI Extension employee, two adult volunteers and one youth representative from each district statewide. Representatives are selected by their respective district's leadership and/or administration and serve staggered terms to enhance continuity. To facilitate effective, transparent communication, the I4-HYHC bylaws (pdf) are available to review.

Idaho horsemanship award

Established in 1975, this program recognizes Idaho youth having developed in-depth equine knowledge, communication, management and equitation skills. Applicants must:

Be 14 to 18 years old as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year
Participate in 4-H or another organized youth horse program
Own or manage the horse used in the performance phase a minimum of 120 days prior to that test

This rigorous award process consists of five components:

Application — emphasizes youth leadership and citizenship experiences
Written test — consists of 100 equine knowledge and management questions (true/false, multiple choice and short answer). Youth must score 70% or higher (min. 175 points) to advance to the next step.

The next three components (performance testing) typically occur the same day at a location established by each UI Extension district 4-H horse coordinator. Eligible youth participate using either Western or English attire/equipment.

Grooming, handling and groundwork — assesses knowledge of basic grooming, feet and leg care, handling, saddling, lounging and appropriate safety practices (150 points possible)
Equitation — includes basic appointments, posture, rail performance and ability to precisely perform a series of designated individual maneuvers (300 points possible)
Demonstration/illustrated talk — evaluates youth’s ability to effectively communicate pertinent knowledge related to some aspect of the horse industry (200 points possible)

Participants must earn at least 90% of the total possible points (585 or higher) within the performance testing to receive this award. All components must be successfully completed within the same testing period (Jan. 1 to Oct. 1 of the current year); prior year scores cannot be carried forward.

Below are links to the application booklet and related resources.