Alabama 4-H

Horse Project
  • January 26, 2024
  • Posted by: Brigid McCrea and Geni Payne
  • in Alabama 4-H
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2 min read
Alabama 4-H Horse Show Project; images of horses

The 4-H Horse Project teaches horsemanship skills, horse judging, tack care, and basic management. Participation will help youth understand how to manage a show horse, learn entrepreneurship and record keeping, become better horsemen, and recognize current issues affecting the horse industry.

Who Can Participate

Any young person age 9 through 18 as of January 1 of the club year can participate. You do not have to be a current 4-H member, but you must complete a 4-H enrollment form if you are not a member.

How It Works

As a 4-H Horse Project participant, you are responsible for purchasing or leasing a horse (no stallions). You will care for your animal(s) for at least 90 days. You can enter your horse(s) in the Alabama State 4-H Horse Show. If you are unable to buy or lease a horse, no need to worry. Alabama 4-H also offers an Alabama 4-H Active Educational Horse Event. To be a participant in the event, you do not have to own a horse. There are educational classes such as horse judging, hippology, public speaking, and quiz bowl. Only the riding classes require the participant to own or lease a horse.

The goal is to prepare the horse to be shown in its perspective classes at the horse show. The goal for the educational classes is to develop skills in judging horses, anatomy, nutrition, reproduction, etc. The expectation is that you will show a well-cared for horse successfully in the classes in which it is best fit. The expectation in the educational classes is that you will be able to recognize correct confirmation in horses and become proficient in various horse science topics.

State Horse Show

Find the 2024 Alabama 4-H State Horse Show materials below.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services for the 4-H State Horse Show or its materials, contact Geni Payne at paynegl@aces.edu.

Happy Trails Horseback Riding Program

The Alabama 4-H: Happy Trails Horseback Riding Program is a great way for 4-H members to receive recognition for the time they spend in the saddle each year. Alabama 4-H has many 4-H club members who do not participate in the State Horse Show or compete in disciplines not offered at the State 4-H Horse Show. This is an opportunity for all 4-H Horse Project members, no matter their riding discipline or ability, to be rewarded for simply riding their horse.

Download a PDF of Happy Trails Horseback Riding Program, 4HYD-2458.

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services for the Happy Trails Horseback Riding Program or its materials, contact Brigid McCrea at mccreba@aces.edu.