Hippology

Hippology is an activity that can make learning fun for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting.

• Provide additional educational opportunities for 4-H'ers
• Develop decision making, communication, team building, self confidence and leadership.
  
• Enhance individual growth and development.
• Provide an opportunity to interrelate equine experience and use their horse knowledge.
• Advance knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes.
• Measure and recognize horse project achievement.
  

  Four Phases of the Contest

Examination Phase - This phase of the contest may include:

A. Written exam
B. Projected slides to be identifies as to breed, color, color patters, activity, proper appointments, etc.
C. Anatomy which may include external, skeletal, internal organs, parts of the gastrointestinal tract, male and female reproductive organs, detailed anatomy of the foot and detailed lower limbs.

Station Phase - This phase will consist of a series of stations or tables which test the contestants knowledge. Examples are: Identification of types of saddles (actual or pictured), parts of saddles, tack, bits, bridles, horse shoes or parts of shoes, tools and equipment, grains and forages, internal and external parasites, blemishes and unsoundness, ages of equine based on teeth, pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, signs of dehydration or anemia, measurements of wither height, shoe size, girth, collar size, gullet width, seat length of saddle.

Judging Phase - Contestants will be required to judge at least four classes of horses (2 halter or conformation classes and 2 performance classes).

Team Problem - All teams will be presented with the same problem(s). Each team will have equal time to discuss the problem among themselves. They then will have to present an oral solution or series of suggested procedures relative to the problem.

Reference Material

All the information covered in the contest may be found in one or more of the following publications:

References
Horses and Horsemanship- National 4-H Council
Horse Science- National 4-H Council
Horses and Horsemanship (6th Edition)- Ensminger
The Horse (2nd Edition)- Evans, Borton, Hintz and Van Vleck
State Line Tack Catalogs
Grains, forages and feed preparation will be representative of feeds utilized in horse rations.

Material and stations for practice are available in 4-H Horse Project Library.

Competition in Minnesota is held every year at the State 4-H Horse Show in September. Winning teams go on to represent Minnesota in National Competitions.

For additional information contact: