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:
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Train a horse to the best of your ability.
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Use a step-by-step training process to develop your abilities
and your horse's.
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Use proper safety techniques when working with your horse.
Identify various types of training equipment and how to
properly use and care for them.
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Properly care for and maintain your horse.
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Develop the proper attitude and understanding required in
training horses
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Evaluate your horse's level of training and your readiness to
proceed to the next step.
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Develop a healthy attitude toward exploring and applying new
training ideas and techniques
Requirements of the Program
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 3 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.
The Horse Training Workbook and the Horse Achievement Workbook
can be obtained from your Extension Office of from the internet at
the following links.
Relationship to Horse Member Achievement
Program
When you enroll in the horse training program, the Horse Member
Achievement Program will be part of your project records. It has
five levels to help you learn horse-related skills. As with the
Horse Training Program, you have two years to complete each level.
You must be working on the corresponding level in the Achievement
Program at the same time.
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:
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Your horse project leader
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County Extension Office
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Libraries
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Equine publications
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State 4-H Horse Project Memorial Library
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University of Minnesota, Crookston, Equine Program
Horse Training Project Classes
Classes for each of Steps 1-5 are available at county fairs and
the State 4-H Horse Show. You will be judged on how you have
trained your horse and on your ability to answer the questions in
each step. Grooming of your horse and your own neatness will be
considered. You may have an assistant hold your horse or equipment
during the demonstration, but this person may not participate in
any other way. Any 4-H'er may attempt STEP 6 at the State
Horse Show after completing STEPS 1-5 in the Training Program. The
same STEP 6 performance evaluation may be attempted by those
enrolled in the horse project, upon completion of Levels 1-5 of
the Member Achievement Program. Refer to the 4-H Horse Program
Rule Book or the State 4-H Horse Show and Events Rules and Class
List for a complete description of the requirements for these
classes.
This program was developed by Lyle Wick, manager/trainer,
Crocus Hill; and Rae Ann Bartz, Lynn Watland, and Gladys Carlson,
4-H horse project leaders.
State Show Quota and Entry Form
State 4-H Horse Show trips are awarded in this program (See the
Minnesota 4-H Horse Program Rule Book). Include a completed copy
of your current level & step (plus all previous steps & levels) of
your current training and achievement program books with your
State Horse Show entry form.
Program Updates, Changes and Clarifications
Eligibility: The eligibility has changed to allow a horse that
has had previous halter work and/or longing, but not have been
ground driven or ridden. The 4-Her must still begin at Step 1 with
the horse and progress through the steps in order.
Step 6 and Level 6: Procedure # 9 has been reworded to
clarify the procedure. It will now read "Beginning at the center
of the arena, execute one figure 8 at the canter/lope starting to
the right and demonstrating one complete flying change of lead.
Without interruption, execute the second flying change of lead and
continue on with 2 circles to the right. Without interruption,
execute the third flying change of lead and continue with circles
to the left. Halt at your starting point."
State Show Class Clarification: (1999) Training Steps 1,2,3,4 &
5 may show in
Showmanship, if qualified at their County Fair. Steps 4 & 5 may
enter riding classes if
qualified.
Questions Clarification: In the Horse Training Program
the 4-H'er will be responsibility for the information in the
corresponding Level of the Achievement Program and all previous
steps and levels. Example:
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Step 1 Questions may be taken from the preparatory step, step
1, level 1 of Achievement Program.
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Step 2 Questions may be be from the preparatory step, steps 1
& 2, levels 1 & 2.
2007 Bosal Clarification:
If a bosal is used in the training program, it MUST be used with a properly tied mecate. It is not recommended to "bit" your horse in a bosal, as a bosal is to be used with intermittent pressure. This would encourage the horse to lean on the bosal.
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