Minnesota Operation: Military KidsExtension > Youth Development > Minnesota 4-H > Projects > Animal science > Horse
Horse Project
Learn about show, trail, or endurance riding; test your horse sense at quiz bowls or on judging teams or study horse science. The Horse Training Project is designed to help the advanced rider train an untrained horse through a five-step process. You may have more than one horse in this project. Your horse may be leased or owned. If you don't have access to a horse, you may enroll in the Horseless Horse project.
State & regional events
To view county or local club events, visit the county website.
Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show
The Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show is held every fall, and provides lifetime skills and learning experiences for 4-H Horse Project members, families and leaders. Effective since 2007, all 4-H'ers participating in 4-H-sponsored mounted activity are required to wear properly fastened, ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear. More Info
Hippology
Show your knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting by participating in a Hippology Project. Youth who have completed sixth grade and higher can compete as part of a county team or as an individual. More Info
Horse Judging
In this event, make a careful study of an animal, measuring it against an accepted ideal. Youth who have completed sixth grade and up can compete as part of a county team or as an individual. More Info See horse judging resources
Speech and Demo
State level judging is held in conjunction with the Minnesota State 4-H Horse Show. Start preparing for it early in the year, by participating in your project group or club. Use this as an opportunity to talk to schoolmates about your interest in horses or the horse industry. More info
Drill Team
Learn about drill teams in the Minnesota Drill Team Rule Book (242 K PDF) (Updated 01/20/13) Note: The drill teams will perform in the AgStar Arena at the state fairgrounds. The arena size is 80' X 200'.Contact: Minnesota 4-H Drill Committee for more information.
4-H Regional & State Project Bowls
Project Bowls are an exciting way for youth to explore a project area. Teams compete in quiz competitions with questions about specific project areas. Project Bowls are available for Dairy, Dog, General Livestock (Beef, Sheep & Swine), Horse, Poultry, Rabbit and Wildlife projects. Winners of the Regional Bowls advance to the State Bowl.
More Project Bowl Info
National trip opportunities
Top Hippology teams, Horse Judging teams, Speech and Demonstration participants and Project Bowl teams can compete at a national level. More Info
Western Heritage
Minnesota 4-H Western Heritage helps youth explore and preserve this sporting tradition. Regional events lead to the state contest. More Info
Minnesota 4-H State Horse Winter Roundup
You won't want to miss this tremendous opportunity to learn more about the 4-H Horse Project's activities. Winter Round Up includes two days and two nights of learning, sharing information and having fun. This forum is designed for adult leaders and 4-H parents. Older youth may attend, however, this will be intense leader training with very few recreational activities provided. The location varies. More Info
Expo Tack Sale
The Tack Sale at Minnesota's Horse Expo is held annually at the state fairgounds in St. Paul. The sale is managed by Minnesota 4-H Horse Association and is the group's major fund raising event. More info
Horse Judges Certification
Apply to become a certified 4-H horse judge at this event, held every spring. Certified 4-H judges can also be recertified. More info
Miniature Horse Program
Any miniature horse that is ID'd in a 4-H Extension Office by the May 15 deadline, and is 38" or under qualifies to be shown at the regional shows. Classes will be offered for Pee-Wee, Junior and Senior divisions in Showmanship, Driving, Costume, Liberty, Hunter, Jumper and In-hand Obstacle Trail. Cloverbud classes include Showmanship and Costume Class. More info
Contact: Carol / Emily Schimnich or Jackie / Aimee Schulz (Central) or Ellen Newman (South)
Boot Camp
MQHA hosts a three-day camp in June for 4-H members in Verndale. Camping and stalls will be available. Participation is limited. More Info (256 K PDF) (Updated 09/20/12)
Horse Project resources
You can participate in a variety of activities including shows, trail rides, endurance riding, project bowls, judging teams, hippology teams or Western Heritage. The 4-H Horse Achievement Guide will help you learn horse-related skills and to record your activities.
Beginning to learn about horses:
- Horse 1: Giddy Up & Go ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Minnesota Horse Project Rule Book - Pocket version (1 MB PDF) (Updated 1/12/13)
- Minnesota Horse Project Rule Book - Full size (1 MB PDF) (Updated 1/13/13)
- Member Achievement Book (43 K PDF)
- Minnesota Horse ID Form (47 K PDF)
- Horse Training and Horsemanship Manual (3.4 MB PDF)
Some experience with this project:
- Horse 2: Head, Heart & Hooves ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Horse 3: Stable Relationships ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Looking for a challenge in this project:
- Horse 4: Riding the Range ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Horse 5: Jumping to New Heights ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
LISTSERV: The LIST SERV is an email response program operated by the University of Minnesota. It allows people interested in the 4-H Horse Project to exchange ideas, methods and opinions. It broadcasts e-mails to all list subscribers. Click here to request list subscription
Local information contact:
Horse Training Project resources
Learn how to train your untrained horse using this step-by-step process.
- Horse Training Project Book (259 K PDF)
- Training Project Rules and Guidelines (82 K PDF)
- More info
Contacts:
Horseless Horse Project resources
Horseless horse offers the opportunity to study and learn about a horse if you do not own, lease, or have regular access to care for a live horse. (If your family owns, leases or has regular access to care for a live horse; you should enroll in the Horse Project and enter a horse-related exhibit.)
Contact:
Cathy Giefer
13248 - 410th Ave
Blue Earth, MN 56013
windmillacresl@bevcomm.net
Horse judging resources
Horse judging is an art that consists of making a careful study of animals and measuring them against an accepted ideal.
- Judging Contest
- Preparing a 4-H Horse Judging Team (470 K PDF)
Contact:
Project leader resources
- Guide to Training Horses ($13.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Horse - Helper's Guide ($3.95 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
- Horse - Set of 6
($23 Find this in the 4-H Mall) - Horse Medal ($2.25 Find this in the 4-H Mall)
Other online resources
- US Equestrian Foundation (formerly IHSA)
- American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
- American Saddlebred Horse Association (ASHA)
- Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC)
- Pinto Horse Association (PtHA)
