Minnesota 4-H Horse Project
Contacts:
Gladys Carlson
507-835-3304
Bobbi Knutson
320-732-3592
Training Project
Are you ready for a Challenge?
The Minnesota 4-H Horse Training Program has been designed to challenge and help you train your untrained horse using a step-by-step process. You will notice that each step builds on the previous one. As you work through the steps to become more proficient at training horses, you will develop skills that will be of use to you later in your life. When you pass STEP 6, you will have proved to yourself and others that you have the patience, ambition, and persistence to follow through a challenging task.
What you'll learn to do
- Train a horse to the best of your ability.
- Use a step-by-step training process to develop your abilities and your horse's.
- Use proper safety techniques when working with your horse.
- Identify various types of training equipment and how to properly use and care for them.
- Properly care for and maintain your horse.
- Develop the proper attitude and understanding required in training horses
- Evaluate your horse's level of training and your readiness to proceed to the next step.
- Develop a healthy attitude toward exploring and applying new training ideas and techniques
Project Requirements
Any age horse may qualify provided that it has had no training beyond longeing. Your horse may not have been previously ground-driven or ridden when you begin. You should begin with the Preparatory Step, then STEP 1, and continue through the entire program with this horse. Depending on your county's policy, more than one horse may be entered and shown in the Horse Training Program provided each is properly identified on the 4-H Horse Identification Form. You can also use this horse as your regular 4-H project horse.
You must complete the Preparatory Step with a mature, trained horse before you begin the six training steps with your untrained horse. Each step must be completed in order, and all skills within the step must be completed. For the best training results, complete the skills in each step in the order given. You may work at your own pace, according to your and your horse's abilities, but each step must be completed in no more than two years. As you complete each skill within each step, check it off in the space provided. Once the step is completed, have it approved and signed by the program chair or leader, then proceed to the next step. If your horse has progressed at the county or state show to being ridden, you must be exhibiting in at least STEP 4 or higher.
Once you have completed STEPS 1-5, you may wish to try for STEP 6. This step may be passed only at the State 4-H Horse Show. A recommendation from your county project leader or county extension educator is needed to try for STEP 6. You will receive an award when you pass this final challenging step. In STEPS 1-6 both the horse and the Achievement Program booklets must be submitted.
Project Material
Minnesota 4-H Horse Training Program
Minnesota 4-H Horse Achievement Program - Required
Minnesota 4-H Horse Program Rule Book
Where to find information
Much of the information required to complete this program will be found in the 4-H horse project materials. You will discover additional information and assistance from several other sources:
- Your horse project leader
- County Extension Office
- Libraries
- Equine publications
- State 4-H Horse Project Memorial Library
- University of Minnesota, Crookston, Equine Program
Project Chairs
Gladys Carlson 507-835-3304 (Adult)
Bobbi Knutson 320-732-3592 (Adult)
Jenna VanGorp 320-732-3592 (Youth)