Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Leaders Handbook

Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Leaders Handbook November 2009

Objectives of the 4-H Horse Program 1. Develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and other desirable traits of character. 2. Experience the pride of owning or managing a horse or pony and being responsible for its management. 3. Develop an appreciation of horseback riding as a healthy and wholesome form of recreation. 4. Learn the skill of horsemanship and an understanding of the business of breeding. 5. Increase knowledge of safety precautions to prevent injury to themselves, others, and their mount. 6. Promote greater love for animals and a humane attitude toward them. 7. To be better prepared for citizenship responsibilities through working in groups and supporting community horse projects and activities. Prepared by Linda Rider Kootenai / Shoshone 4-H Program Assistant 1/10/95 1

Welcome So you would like to be a 4-H horse project leader? First off, we at the Extension Office would like to welcome you. The horse projects encompass many opportunities, educational materials, and a number of required and optional activities. You will find these projects fun, sometimes frustrating, but nevertheless, very rewarding. Typically, horse projects do involve a commitment of a considerable amount of your time, your member s time, and their family s time. What does a 4-H Horse Leader need to know? It is very helpful to have a background in horses, horsemanship, and horse management to lead this project. However, you will find that there is a wealth of information available at the Extension Office and through fellow county 4-H Horse Leaders. The purpose of this booklet is to familiarize you with some of the information available, requirements, expectations, and opportunities that go along with these projects. As per the requirements for all Kootenai/Shoshone County 4-H leaders, in order to be certified to conduct 4-H meetings, sign record books, and be covered by liability insurance, leaders must sign a job description and participate in leader training each year. All new leaders are required to attend a minimum of three hours of training and all returning leaders are required to attend a minimum of two hours of training. More information about leader training can be obtained from the Extension Office. 2

Basic Membership Requirements A. Membership 1. Age - The age the 4-H member is or will be on January 1 st during the 4-H year (October 1 st to September 30 th ) is their 4-H age for that year. 4-H horse members are divided into these age levels: 8-11 years old - Junior 12-14 years old - Intermediate 15-18 years old Senior (or still enrolled in high school) 2. Club Membership - Members join a 4-H club consisting of five members or more and enroll in a 4-H project. 3. Meeting Attendance - To complete the project, a member must attend a majority of the club and project meetings. Clubs and leaders may set higher attendance standards, but cannot set lower attendance requirements. 4. Projects Limits - A member may only complete and exhibit two projects within a project area. B. Horse Ownership Requirements 1. Project animals may be a horse of any breed or age. 2. Stallions over one year of age are not eligible. 3. Members must manage, care for, and keep records on their project horse(s) for a minimum of 120 days. Possession date set for Kootenai/Shoshone horse projects is April 1 st. During this time, the member is responsible for the actual care and management of this horse(s). 4. Member ownership of a horse is desirable but not a requirement. 5. A family owned horse may be managed by two members of a family on a 50% basis. This includes feeding, grooming, exercising, training, and access to use. Note: Possible unresolvable horse show class conflicts can arise in this type of situation, resulting in only one member ultimately being able to show the horse. 6. A non-family owned horse must be managed by the member at least 80% of the time during the project year. For all non-family owned horses used in a 4-H horse project, a copy of a written lease agreement must accompany the Horse ID sheet (due April 1 st ). The lease agreement must be dated and signed by the 4-H member, the member s parents, and the owner of the horse. 7. Horse Identification (ID) sheets, available at the Extension Office, are due in the Extension Office by 5:00 p.m., April 1 st of each year. A member may identify more than one horse. If a member changes project horses after April 1 st, they must follow the procedures set forth in the Guidelines for Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Eligibility. 3

Change of Horse Requests after April 1 st : All requests for changes of project horses (to replacement horses not submitted on ID sheets prior to April 1 st ) must be submitted to the Extension Office in writing, with a detailed explanation as to the circumstances prompting this request. An ID sheet for the new horse must also accompany this request. A scheduled interview with the Executive Committee of the Kootenai County 4-H Horse Leaders may also be arranged but does not supersede required written documentation. The Horse Leaders Executive Committee will render to the Extension Educator their recommendation on the action to be taken. A written decision will be sent to the member and their leader in a timely manner. Time frame guidelines: Requests received prior to May 1 st : Cases involving lameness and/or death (accompanied by a veterinarian s certificate) or where the safety of the horse/rider are at stake may be considered valid exceptions. Under these conditions, it will probably be recommended that the member be allowed to retain County and District Horse Show eligibility with the requested replacement horse. Requests received after May 1 st or denied from above: A requested replacement horse may be used in classes at the County 4-H Horse Show, but the member will not be eligible for individual class or overall awards. Nor will they be eligible to use said horse in any classes at that year s District 1 Horse Show. At the County Horse Show, when using said horse, these individuals will be designated with letters replacing exhibitor numbers. The intent of this guideline is to allow a 4-H member to complete the exhibit portion of their project by being able to participate in the County 4-H Horse show on a replacement horse (if possession qualifications are met). Also, if the member uses more than one horse, those horses with ID sheets submitted in a timely manner and then used at the County Horse Show to win top class honors would then qualify for participation in the District Horse Show while a late replacement horse ridden by the same member would not be eligible for any county awards or classes at the District Show. C. Required Activities 1. Record Books - Complete necessary record book and story. If more than one horse is used in the horse project, one record book is to be used with additional Permanent Individual Animal Records added for each additional horse. A member may also fill out the Permanent Horse Identification and Health sheet and Permanent Equipment Inventory, but these two forms are optional. The required record book and Permanent Individual Animal Record are also available electronically online. 2. Oral Presentations - Present at least one demonstration or oral presentation to their project group/club for each project they take. They may also choose to participate in the county oral presentation contest to be judged on their presentation. 3. Participation in One County-Wide Contest - Each horse member must participate in at least one county-wide horse contest (Horse Bowl, Horse Judging, Oral Presentations or Hippology). 4. Exhibit - For the Horse projects this means showing their horse at a recognized 4-H horse show. Non-Horse Projects have other exhibition requirements. 4

General Information Projects Offered: Below is a listing of the horse projects offered in Kootenai County: Horse Project (CCS Books) Level 1 Giddy Up & Go Level 2 Head, Heart & Hooves Level 3 Stable Relationships Level 3 Riding the Range Level 3 Jumping to New Heights Optional Horse Focus Areas Each area has a check list and 3 advancement levels: General Equatition Trail Riding Hunter/Jumper Working Ranch Horse Dressage Horse and Pony Driving Non-Horse Project Utilizes books (Levels 1-3) above, doesn t require ownership of an actual horse. What does a member take first? Nearly all leaders have found that it works best for beginning 4-H horse members to start in the Level 1 CCS Book and at the first advancement skills level of their focus area, unless they are already quite advanced in their horsemanship skills. Members should be using each CCS book for two or three years depending on their progress and skills. There is a Leaders Manual for the leader to use when helping members work through their project books. Members may be able to complete a focus area advancement level in one year or it may take them several years. It is thought best that members work through each book and focus area advancement level in order to learn a sound, well rounded, basis in horsemanship. Leaders are to sign off each activity or skill as it is completed. Sometimes, if a member changes horses they will need to drop back to a lower focus area 5 skill level to again be able to complete all riding skill tests on the new horse. Project meetings: If a horse project is taken in consecutive years, it is considered a yearround project and runs from October 1 st to September 30 th of the following year. With this in mind, many horse clubs conduct meetings year round, generally with educational meetings in the winter months and riding meetings when the weather permits or even year-round in an indoor arena. To complete a project, members must attend at least a majority of the club and project meetings. Record books: The 4-H Animal Project Record Book is used for all horse projects, except the Non-Horse project, which uses the 4-H Project Record Book. Only Non-Horse projects need to exhibit at the fair for completion of the project. Most of the optional focus areas offer some type of exhibition with the horse at a county sanctioned activity during the year. Record books for the Horse project are turned into the leader and gone over by the leader and member to check for completeness. Those members planning on participating in the County 4-H Horse Show must also submit their record book, via their leader, to the Extension Office to be checked that it is up to date. After the County Horse Show the horse leader turns into the Extension Office a form that indicates which members have completed all the requirements of the project. The only record books that are judged in this project are those books that a leader deems outstanding and are submitted for top animal record book judging.

Demonstrations: As in all 4-H projects, members must present at least one demonstration or oral presentation to their project group for each project they take. They may also choose to participate in the county oral presentation contest to be judged on their presentation. Those members receiving a blue ribbon at the county level may be invited to participate in the State Horse Oral Presentation contest. State winners may also advance to National Contests. Insurance: 4-H Horse members pay $2.00 for 4-H insurance (regular 4-H is $1.00). Horse leaders have the option of purchasing this same insurance also for $2.00. It has proven to be quite comprehensive and covers most medical accidents from the time the member leaves his or her home to go to an adult supervised 4-H activity until he or she returns home. It does not cover horses, and it is not a liability insurance. However, authorized 4-H leaders do have some personal liability coverage under a University of Idaho plan. Materials Available for Leaders: Guidelines for Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Eligibility These are the important guidelines on which Kootenai/Shoshone County s 4-H horse program is run. If there are discrepancies between what other materials say and what the guidelines state, go by the guidelines. These guidelines should be passed out to all members. Guidelines for completing and evaluating 4-H Horse Record Books Because the Horse project record books are not judged, it becomes even more important that the leader helps the member understand the importance of completing this record book as a tool to record activities, achievements, and financial commitment. Helping the members fill out their books and helping them evaluate their success is a key learning element of this project. Action - Balance - Conformation is an excellent informational tool to teach about horse judging and horse selection when buying a horse. PNW 4-H Horse Contest Guide These govern all of our 4-H Horse shows. They list class expectations and acceptable tack and attire for each class. Focus Area Materials For most focus areas there are additional leader reference materials available and some additional member manuals depending on the focus area. Additional Reference Materials for Horse Projects Horse leaders have at their disposal a wide variety of resource materials available at or through the Extension Office. At the end of this booklet you will find a partial listing of those materials that leaders may wish to utilize as teaching tools. 6

Materials Available for Members: Guidelines for Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Eligibility These should be in the hands of all 4-H horse members and their families and reviewed each year. Good communications among all parties is important so that everyone is aware of the basic guidelines of our county horse program. This helps eliminate possible confusion and conflicts later on. 4-H Horse Identification Certificate These are important documents that must be filled out with all required signatures and turned into the Extension Office by no later than 5:00 PM on April 1 st, each 4-H year. A member may turn in as many horse ID sheets as they have suitable horses to use in this project. If, during the course of the 4-H year, one of these horses is injured and becomes unusable, the member may substitute another horse as long as there is an ID sheet on file for that next horse. If no ID sheet is on file for the replacement horse, then procedures spelled out in the Guidelines for Kootenai/Shoshone 4-H Horse Eligibility must be followed. All horses actually used during the project should be accounted for in the member s record book. Horse Lease Agreements and Trailering Agreements are available for members use. All horses used that do not belong to the member or their family should have a completed lease agreement attached to their ID sheet when turned in. Record Books All horse project members will receive a 4-H Animal Project Record Book. If the member is participating in more than one focus area and/or is using more than one horse, all information is combined in this one record book. Permanent Individual Animal Record This insert is designed to be part of the record book. It contains information regarding the horse s health and management. This packet is designed to replace the duplicated sections in the record book and provide a continuous record and be used for multiple years for each horse. If more than one horse is being used in the project year, the member will need to fill out an Permanent Individual Animal Record for each horse. Horses and Horsemanship This is one of the main project manuals and should be attained for all 1st year members. It is also the basis for many horse bowl questions. Horse Science This should be acquired for all 2nd year and above horse project members. It too, is a wealth of information and a source of many horse bowl questions. Basic Horse Safety This should be given to all 1st year members. 7

Required Activities: To complete any horse project the member must: a. own/lease and care for a horse for 120 days b. complete a record book c. do an oral presentation d. participate in a county-wide horse contest e. exhibit For all horse projects this means showing their horse at a recognized 4-H horse show or event. Non-Horse projects have other exhibition requirements. County Contests All horse members must participate in at least one of the following countywide contests: Horse Bowl - This is a contest based on knowledge of horses. There is a list of suggested study materials. Each individual competes singularly on the county level. Those placing in the top five become the team to represent Kootenai County at the District level competition and possibly at the state and national levels. Horse Judging - This contest deals with judging usually 6 different classes - 3 on horse quality and 3 on performance, plus giving oral reasons on two of the classes. The classes contain 4 horses each. A team is formed from the top placing individuals and they are eligible to participate at the state horse judging contest. Oral Presentations - Members can also choose to participate in the county oral presentation contest with a horse related presentation. Blue ribbon presentation may also be eligible to participate in the State horse oral presentation contest. Hippology A Hippology contest consists of 4 sections, a written test, a series of skills stations, a judging section with at least one conformation class and one performance class and a team presentation. This contest is divided into a Junior division for members 8-13 and a Senior division for members 14-18. A team is fromed from the top 4 senior division individuals and they are elgiable to participate at the state and possible the national level. Exhibition To complete the project the members must exhibit at an activity recognized by the Extension Office. Most members do this by participating in the County 4-H Horse Show or the 4-H Pre-Show. All members are expected to at least participate in the Fitting and Showing class with their horse. Those who have been in the horse project for more than 3 years may opt to substitute the Horsemastership class at the County Show for their fitting and showing class and premiums. 8

County Show: This is considered the official exhibit show for the horse projects and all members are encouraged to participate in it. It is judged on a Danish System, whereby every participant receives a blue, red or white ribbon. This is a 3-day show, Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, usually the end of July. It takes place at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds and arrangements can be made for stalling during the show. Top winners in most classes can go on to the District I 4-H Horse show. Each member participating in the Fitting and Showing class (or Horsemastership as described above) will receive a premium based upon their ribbon. Premiums will be distributed at the North Idaho Fair. Pre-Show: This show usually takes place on a Wednesday in early July. It is a simple show with more emphasis on learning than on competition, although the top 7 ribbon placings are given in each class. It is a good show for beginning members, with a little less pressure than the bigger County Show. Requirements for Gaming Classes Gaming classes are offered at several of the 4-H shows. In the interest of safety and pursuit of teaching good horsemanship skills, before any member can participate in gaming classes at 4-H horse shows, they must participate in at least one 4-H sponsored gaming clinic. At least one of these clinics is offered each year, usually in the spring. Upon satisfactory completion of the clinic, the member receives a 4-H gaming number. This number may be asked for when completing show entry forms. There is not a gaming project but there is information about gaming available to leaders. Helmets Helmets are required to be worn when mounted or driving at all 4-H sanctioned horse activities. Helmets need to meet current safety standards, be in good shape and fit the member properly. If you have questions about helmets we have information avaliabe at the Extension Office. Other Activities and Opportunities: District I 4-H Horse Show: The top two blue ribbon placings in most County Show classes are then eligible to participate in the District I 4-H Horse Show. The show is usually held the first or second weekend of August. The counties in District 1 (Northern Idaho) take turns hosting the District show and its location, therefore, moves in accordance with who is hosting the show that year. 9

Horse Leaders Meetings: All horse leaders are encouraged to attend horse leader meetings. These are usually held the second Tuesday of each month at the Extension Office beginning at 7:00 PM. It is within this group that most horse related activities are organized and suggestions for policy changes discussed. It is a very active group and a great place to get questions answered and a source of help in solving problems. District 1 Horse Leaders: Our county has input on the District level through the District Horse Leaders. This group usually meets twice a year (spring and fall) to set up location and dates for district horse activities, go over any suggestions of changes to District Horse Show Rules, and be updated by the State 4-H Office on any curriculum changes. While everyone is welcome to attend, our voting delegation can consist of up to two adult horse leaders and one teen member. Youth Horse Council: All older members are encouraged to be part of this group. This group functions as a voice between what the members would like to see happening within the project and the Horse Leaders group. Their suggestions are taken seriously and usually acted upon. They also present a clinic for beginning members called the Helping Hands Clinic. This clinic is followed by the Helping Hands Show. During the year the council promotes a Sportsmanship Award that is voted on just prior or during the County Horse Show. The Council also awards 5 scholarships to horse camp based on attendance. This group also functions as a social meeting ground for these young people to get to know each other in a non-competitive setting. Helping Hands Clinic and Show: The Helping Hands events are for 1 st and 2 nd year horse members and are put on by the Youth Horse Council. The Clinic is usually in mid-april and the show usually takes place in late April or early May. They are both on weekends and are normally separated by a week or two. These are good events for new members to attend and learn about what will be expected of them at 4-H horse shows. The clinic is a non horse event and covers basic information including how to prepare for shows. The show focuses on learning, improving and becoming comfortable in the show ring. The clinic is free and the cost for the show is very minimal. Horse Camp/Equine Retreat: These are both week-long camps for members, their horses, and their families. Each day is filled with arena riding instruction of various disciplines, other riding classes, and horse related craft and mini classes. It is a place to camp, learn a lot, and have fun. Sign-ups take place in early spring and the camp usually takes place the end of June. Other Shows and Clinics: Various 4-H clubs also put on horse shows and/or clinics during the year that are open to all county 4-H ers. These provide good places for members to practice what they are learning. Shows using the 4-H Horse Contest Rules can be used to meet a members exhibit requirements. 10

Idaho Horsemanship Award: As older members increase their knowledge and skills in horsemanship, they are encouraged to compete for this state award. Competition for the award consists of two phases: 1. Passing a written test (given once a year, usually in June) with a 70% or higher score, and 2. Those who pass the written test then participate in the performance phase. This consists of testing on Grooming and Handling, Western or English Equitation and a Practical Demonstration. Youth must pass this phase with a score of 90% or better. The performance testing is usually done the day before the District Show, at that location. Resource / Reference Materials for 4-H Horse Leaders These materials are available to leaders through the Extension Office. It is always a good idea to call ahead and reserve materials so that they are here when you need them. All materials are available free of charge. Horse Bowl Questions (a notebook that can be checked out). National 4-H Horse Lesson Sheets (a wide variety of lesson subjects and worksheets in a notebook which can be checked out. Horse Industry Handbook (a large notebook full of a wide range of reference materials. Possibly a reference for advanced oral presentations as well as basis for educational club meetings). Judging Handbook (more information to help leaders teach horse judging) Guidelines and Procedures for Idaho State Horse Bowl Contests (Additional written information about horse bowl). Training Horses - Yearlings to 5 year olds (A good general reference particularly if you have members with young horses.) Various handouts with tips for writing 4-H stories and oral presentation ideas. Horse Learning Laboratory Kit: contains hands on activities, props, and teaching recommendations. Topics included in this kit cover anatomy, care & management, breeds, conformation, nutrition, reproduction & genetics, and tack & equipment. Horse InfoVet Notebook and CD: contains information and illustrations on horse health, management and possible treatments. The CD contains the same information in an electronic and searchable format. These are very good resources for meetings and topic research. Books and Videos: We have a fairly diversice selection of reference books and videos available for check out. These are great tools for members and leaders when researching topics or adding antoehr learning format to meeting and activites. Note: Activities, Books, and References are subject to change. Please check with the Extension Office for a current list of available materials and activities. 11