i am doing horse and pony 4-h for the first time this year anyone have any tips for training?
i live in porter county in indiana
and this is my first time in horse 4-h anyone have tips?
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What state are you in? All of the states have different programs. I am a carded judge for the Minnesota 4H Horse program. I can tell you some of our information and some thoughts that I have.
We have a great book that goes through each level of the training program. The first level starts with a totally unbroke horse – it may be halter broke, but that’s it. Typically people start with yearlings, but you could start with a weanling or a adult horse.
It gives very precise directions on how to train the horse. In our level 1 the first year is basically just teaching the horse ground manners and basic showmanship. The horse is expected to walk and trot on a lead, back, pivot, tie, pick up its feet for farrier, and just be respectful.
Training the horse is only 50% of the project’s judging criteria. The other 50% of the project is on knowledge. So when I ask a kid to show me how they pick up their horse’s feet – I need them to specifically explain step by step what they do, why they do it, and how they taught their horse to be nice! We will also ask general horse questions on deworming, parasites, breed characterisitics, natural and artificial aids, etc.
Also – if your horse won’t do something at the fair – explain to the judge how you fix this at home. I even have them show me how they’d fix this at home. Most of the kids can’t get their horse to trot off in this new strange place – so, I have them show me what they do. Most of them have their mom’s step into the arena with the lunge whip and the horse now trots off nicely – and the 4Her leaves feeling good. I don’t really knock them down much for this sort of problem – they knew how to fix it and did well.
My biggest recommendation is to get your horse out and socialized. When I was a 4Her doing the project myself I brought my horse a show or two before going to the fair. It makes all the difference in the world. To this day – I can tell the kids who got their horse out and about compared the kids whose horse is scared silly and won’t stand still for 2 seconds because it hasn’t been off the farm.
Also – you need to present yourself properly. You need to have the horse groomed like it would for a showmanship class. Even if the horse isn’t a pleasure horse and is more for speed events – still have it groomed/clipped. You shouldn’t show in a t-shirt and shorts…you will need to dress like you would for a showmanship class – a blazer, slinky underneath, nice pants, and a hat/helmet (depending on your rule book).
So – get your horse out and about, work hard, practice answering all the questions your mom, dad, and siblings can think of as fluently as possible, and have fun. Know that your horse probably isn’t going to behave perfectly at the fair no matter how much effort you put in, but show the judge that you can deal with that. HAVE FUN!
dont blame your horse for being scared i did 4h for years and some horses are scared by being around so many horses and ppl so be paientent and work slowly
hi its me again from ur other questions this is a picture of a natural horse training halter
http://www.horsecouture.co.uk/images/Halter.jpg