4-H is a learn-by-doing educational program helping youth grow and develop into positive citizens through 4-H projects, teamwork, responsibility, problem solving, leadership development, community involvement, public speaking, record keeping, decision making and group activities.
Developing skills working with equines
The emphasis of the 4-H horse and pony program is on equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, recreation, fun, and horsemanship.
The emphasis of the horse and pony program is on equine selection, nutrition, management, riding, recreation, fun, and horsemanship. Horseback riding provides an outdoor sports fitness program for physical, personal, and emotional development, including confidence building.
The sport can develop into a life-long hobby or business. Projects are available for youth owning or having access to horses and to youth not having access to horses (horseless horse projects).
4-H Horse EventsHorsemanship Skills Program
Horsemanship Skills Program
The 4H’s Horsemanship Skills Program emphasizes safety in all equine activities, and aims to develop horsemanship skills and recognize individual achievement in a non-competitive, progressive program. As this program is further developed, additional levels and skill sets will be added.
In Virginia, for example, 4-H groups in Horsemanship Skills Programs have a variety of activities and competitions in which they develop not only horsemanship skills, but every-day life skills as well. These programs include:
- District Shows and Camps
- District Qualifying Clinics
- District Qualifying and Open Shows
- Horse Camps
- County and District Educational Contests
- Horse Judging Info, Clinics & Contests
- Horse Bowl
- Hippology
- State Educational Contests and Shows
- EquiSmartz - State Educational Contest Weekend - March 30 - April 1, 2012 - Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA
- Horse Judging, Hippology, Horse Bowl, and Presentation Contests
- State Horse Show - September 12 - 15, 2013- Virginia Horse Center, Lexington, VA
- .National Competitions
- Southern Regional 4-H Horse Championships
- Eastern Nationals
- Other Horse Related Events
- Other Equine Events (Vaulting Clinics, Training's, etc. throughout the state)
- VA/NC 4-H Leaders Equine Conference
4-H horsemanship programs are popular throughout the United States and provide many young people with the opportunity to develop personal, physical, and group skills that apply to all areas of life, and, of course, they learn the value of horses and other animals in their lives and in society.