Minnesota 4-H Horse Project is the largest of all the animal science projects in Minnesota. Members have a variety of activities including participating in shows, trail rides, endurance riding, quiz bowls, judging teams, hippology teams or western heritage. Members are asked to use the 4-H Horse Achievement Program to guide their project activities. If you are interested in joining the 4-H Horse Project, contact your local County Extension Office.

Requirements of the Horse Project

Each 4-H horse show or event in the state must meet the requirements of the 4-H Horse Project as approved by the State 4-H Horse Program Development Committee.

• The 4-H horse project is a continuous project. Records on feeding, training, and management should be kept on a year-round basis.
  
  
• Any horse or pony to be shown at a 4-H show must be enrolled as a 4-H project animal and be properly identified on the 4-H Horse ID Form. This form must be submitted to the Extension Office on or before May 15 of the current club year. If substitution, for any reason, occurs on or after May 15, the horse is ineligible for the State 4-H Horse Show.
  
  
• A member must either own or lease the mare or gelding shown. The same horse may be used as a project animal by more than one member as long as all requirements are met. All care, feeding, grooming, training, and exercise should be done by the 4-H'er beginning no later than May first.
  
  
• Male foals may be shown, but yearling and older stallions are ineligible as 4-H projects. The age of the horse shall be computed on the basis of a calendar year starting on January 1 of the year foaled; it is a weanling during the calendar year in which foaled, and a yearling during the first calendar year following its foaling date, regardless of year foaled.
  
  
• In planning shows and events, officials should emphasize experiences for 4-H members that will contribute to the 4-H horse project mission. To provide lifetime skills and learning experiences for the 4-H horse project members, their families and their leaders.

Minnesota 4-H Horse Program Rule Book

All 4-H'ers enrolled in any phase of the 4-H Horse project or Horse Training Program are required to participate in the Horse Member Achievement Program.

Minnesota 4-H Horse Member Achievement Book