| | Horse project objectives | Horsemanship l-III project | English horse projects | Western horse projects | Young horse projects | Judging horse project | Creative options project - Equine | Achievement
Updated May 2005
.
Alberta 4-H offers an opportunity for young people to develop mentally, emotionally and socially through association with others.
4-H Horse projects have been developed with assessment tools (benchmarks), set up in skill and knowledge levels. These assessment tools help members with know what they are expected to learn and will be used to assess each member's knowledge and skills in each project.
Before a member can participate in any of the varied horse projects offered, they must complete the first three levels in the Horsemanship Project, which focuses on general horse care and safety.
Horse Project Objectives
The 4-H Horse Project gives members an opportunity to
- Acquire an understanding of horse management through the experience of owning, caring for, and maintaining records on a horse project.
- Develop the skills, patience and understanding of the handling practices essential in working with horses.
- Develop an appreciation of the horse industry and its importance in the local community, the province and the country.
All 4-H members must meet the Alberta 4-H Equine Project Policy requirements (Policy #6.06 is available on the 4-H web site at www.4h.ab.ca under Resources/Policy) and must abide by any regulations put forth by the local horse committees.
- Each member is to provide the majority of the feed, management and care of the horse.
- Feeding records on the horse must be maintained for a minimum of 180 days prior to Achievement Day.
To complete a 4-H horse project you must:
- Complete a record book for each project horse.
- Take part in at least 70 per cent of mandatory club activities.
- Complete a communication activity that is:
- prepared by the member
- presented by the member in front of a group
- at least three minutes in length
- Take part in an achievement event.
- Enroll in one of the projects available and work on the assessments required for that project. You are not required to finish a project in one year, nor are you required to finish a level in a year. Your yearly project qualifies so long as you have been working on the skills and knowledge for the project in which you have enrolled.
If you use one horse for more than one of the available projects in year, you will qualify for each project so long as you complete a yearly record of activities pertaining to each additional project.
Horsemanship I-III Project
All members joining the Alberta 4-H Horse Program start out with this introductory horsemanship project.
- This project is mandatory for all 4-H members and may be completed with English or Western riding disciplines.
- The assessment tools in this project provide an opportunity for members to develop basic riding and handling skills. This project helps to ensure 4-H members acquire basic safety techniques and learn about the responsibility involved in caring for a horse.
- Members must complete the project assessments for the first three levels with their own project animal. Young horses may be used, however the ability to complete some of the assessments will depend on the training of the horse.
- Once you have completed Horsemanship 1-3 you have the choice of a wide variety of 4-H horse projects.
English Horse Projects
Members who wish to gain more experience with English style of riding are encouraged to participate in this project. Projects that involve English riding include:
Horsemanship 4 - 7 - is a continuation of Horsemanship 1-3. Members continue to learn horsemanship skills, riding with English tack.
Jumping - members will learn about and develop basic skills for beginner jumping. Members and horses learn to work together as a team learning correct techniques.
Dressage - members will learn about and develop techniques used in dressage competitions. Members learn about dressage competitions and develop riding skills that help teach their horses basic dressage movements.
Western Horse Projects
Members who wish to gain more experience with Western style riding are encouraged to participate in this project. Projects that involve Western riding include:
Horsemanship 4 - 7 - is a continuation of Horsemanship 1-3. Members continue to learn horsemanship skills, riding with Western tack.
Ranch Horse - members will develop skills in working with cattle, roping, first aid, trail riding and other useful skills used with ranching.
Rodeo - members will learn about competing in rodeo events including: Barrel Racing, Break Away Roping, Goat Tying, Pole Bending, Steer Riding, Team Roping and Keyhole Race. Members also learn how to set up and conduct a rodeo.
Packing - members will learn about safely using pack horses, equipment used in packing and leading packing trips.
Reining - members will work with their horse to develop the skills used in reining competitions. Members should have advanced riding skills and horses should be athletic.
Cattle Events (Cutting, Working Cow Horse, and Team Penning) - members will learn about handling cattle and using a horse in competition for the three cattle events. Members and their horses should have some advanced riding skills and lots of experience before enrolling in this project.
Young Horse Options
Members interested in learning more about the horse industry and about raising and training young horses are encouraged to participate in this project. The young horse project is set up with two participation streams; members having the option to complete the project on their own as a self-directed basis or linked up with an industry based young horse development project.
Self-Directed - Young Horse Project
This project helps you to teach and train the horse that has no real "schooling". The young horse project is developed for a weanling, yearling or two year old animal, however this project is not restricted to a certain age of the horse, rather the amount of training and handling needed.
Members start their projects at the development level the animal is at; weanling, young, green or mature. The project covers topics like foal nutrition, safety, facilities and training.
Members carry this project as long as they want or until the levels are attained. They can sell their animal at any time.
Industry Affiliated
Members apply through the provincial office. Assessment levels are provided by either May 1 or Oct 1 and are notified that they have been accepted. Members are linked to industry groups. Members receive knowledge and corporate support to develop skills and experience the variety of Alberta's Horse industry.
Members registering in industry affiliated projects will be expected to participate in training activities for those projects.
Standardbred - members apply to join this program, receive a weanling from a standardbred breeder and work through the young horse development levels, care for the animal and then market it for the owner at the annual yearling sale (members receive a percentage of the sale price).
Draft Horse - members who apply to join this program, purchase a weanling draft horse and work it through three years of young horse development training. In the first year the emphasis is on halter, second year includes ground driving and third year, cart driving.
Wild Rose Equine Ranchers Association (WRERA) - members apply to join this program, purchase a foal from an association rancher and work it through the young horse development levels for two years.
Judging Horse Project
This project is designed for members who wish to learn about judging horse events (members are not required to have a project animal).
Members will advance through the assessment tools that encourage learning about and experiencing the judging of conformation and performance classes.
Members keep a record book on the activities they participate in, recording their experience and training with judging.
Creative Options Project (COP) - Equine
This unit is designed for intermediate (12 to 14 years old) and senior (15 to 20 years old) members as of January 1st of the current club year.
The members must have completed at least Horsemanship Level 1-3 and wish to design their own area of study. Non-riding projects do not have to complete the mounted abilities of Horsemanship 1-3 to participate in this project. In this unit, members select, plan, share and evaluate their own projects. This project is ideal for members who do not own their own horse.
Further information on this project is available by ordering the Creative Options Project Book or by contacting the 4-H specialist in your region. |
|