ANATOMY
List the parts of the horse. See leader for hand-outs.
Take a picture of your horse at all views clearly showing a good side profile, front and hind. Review your horse and point out his/her faults (cow hocked, pigeon toed, too straight of a stifle, short backed, etc.) Indicate if these faults are man-made because of an injury, bad breeding characteristic. Show the results that occur due to these faults and what limitations, if any, may result.
BITS
Define and explain bits. What is a snaffle? What is a shank bit? What bits are illegal in 4-H competition? What bit is used for English Riding? What bits are used for Western Riding? What bits are used for Dressage? What bit types are used for Reining? This topic will be covered at a regular horse meeting. The bit section is a huge topic and can be expanded from year to year. See leader for a hand-out on the basic bits and their parts.
BREED TYPES
List different types of breeds and be specific of what each breed is known for or purpose was in our history. Each year more breeds should be added and the most current work put in the front of your binder. First-year 4-Hers should have about 5 different breeds listed.
COLORS OF HORSES
List different colors of the horse. Also for those “color breeds” please list the specific color patterns that a horse should have to be considered that color, ie: buckskin, dun, red road, paints (list of the different color combinations and names) appaloosa etc…
PROPER EQUITATION AND EXERCISES
Equitation of a rider starts with a good seat in the saddle with proper had, shoulder, hip, and leg position. Demonstrate by using the string test if you are sitting correctly in the saddle. Explain two of your favorite and most beneficial equitation exercises that we learned.
FIELD TRIPS
Discuss and use photos to display the types of field trips that you attended. Include a description of the place, what you learned during the trip and any other things that you would like to add. Include trips to Dr. Main and the showmanship demo by Ken Brooks. More field trips are planned for 2005.
FIRST AID
Put a first aid list in your notebook explaining how to treat a wound and what is a “not normal” symptom (high temperature, signs of colic, etc… ) Also included in this section should be what the normal temperature of a horse is, what part of the day is better to take your horses temperature and does this make a difference.
In 2004, the group made first aid kits and exhibited them at Fair. Included were supplies and a definition of what antibiotic and supplies were used. Include a first aid list in your notebook, explaining how to treat a wound and what are not "normal" symptoms (high temperature, signs of colic, etc.) Also include what the normal temperature is for a horse, what part of the day is better to take your horse's temperature and does this make a difference.
Include a section on emergency crisis. Write in this way, "Help, you walk out to the pasture and find your horse is injured. You notice that your friend is suffering from .........." Finish the story of what happened to your horse as well as what you did to help. Include any cleaning, description of the phone call that was made to a vet, procedure, and after-care taken and future
preventative, if any.
FOOD
Include a section about the food that your horse eats and what is needed for daily maintenance of your horse whether you are feeding just for daily maintenance, working horse, older horses, mares who are nursing, babies etc. Different feeds are needed as well as quantity for the type of horse you are feeding due to age, exercise and overall pasture surroundings. Use baggies to identify the different types of feed, this could even be different types of hay. Don’t forget the salt and other supplements. A nutrition meeting with a feed representative is planned for Spring, 2005.
HEALTH CARE
Include a health care card to keep track of vet visits and what treatment was done at the time of the vet visit. (See leader for extra copies.) This card should show what vaccinations were given and when. Also it is a good idea that you provide an information page of what different vaccination exist and what they are needed for. Also feet care should be included in this section. Parts of the hoof and care is a huge section; without a good foot, your horse does not move!
In November, 2004, the group visited Dr. Main's vet clinic in Allegan. During that visit, everyone present was provided a health care card to keep track of vet visits and what treatment was done at the time of the visit. A copy of this completed form should be put in your notebook indicating what vaccinations were given and when. It is also a good idea to provide an information page of what different vaccinations exist and what they are needed for. Leader has extra copies available.
Include extra information on the anatomy of the hoof and trimming demonstration. This topic should show the parts of the hoof and the lower leg. Also, show the diseases which the hoof can get and what can be done as a preventative to such diseases. Also, include a picture of your horse's foot showing the angles of the foot prior to a hoof trim and after a trim indicating the proper angles. Note what size shoe your horse wears and what kind and purpose of why your horse wears this shoe (if they wear them).
Include information on chiropractic, massage therapy, and/or acupuncture. List the definitions of each and give examples of when each is necessary along with the pros and cons.
List what plants and vegetation that is toxic to horses. Include pictures and descrtion, along with what the result is to the equine if ingested.
SHOW/JUDGING TERMS
List the appropriate judging terms as if you were the judge in a class and had to do a verbal reasoning of your placings.
MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Include a diagram of the muscular system of a horse. See leader for hand-outs.
RIDING STYLES
Define the different types of riding styles and the clothing that is worn and required. A comparison could be done regarding the rules of 4-H and breed showing. Also, put in a section of what color goes with the color of your horse/pony and the clothing styles of “what’s hot”. See leader for a color wheel of what color looks better with the color of your horse as well as what is hot for the different disciplines of riding.
SADDLE PARTS
Include diagrams of different saddles and their uses, as well as the different parts of the saddle. See leader for hand-outs. For the older kids who have saddles all ready listed, please add some history to your saddles or add some additional types of saddles.
SAFETY ZONES
Define the safety zone areas when working around your horse. See leader for hand-out.
STIRRUPS
Demonstrate the purpose of your stirrup and how to determine if you are using the proper length of your stirrup. What is the correct way to put your foot in the stirrup and where should it be located in reference to the bottom of your foot.
TEETH
Help, my horse eats sideways; I don't know how old my horse is; My horse is chewing constantly on the bit; My horse is losing weight. These are results of teeth problems that our equine friends can have. Indicate why problems can occur if your horse's teeth are "bad" and what makes them "bad" and what can be done to help. Also, by using your horse as an example, indicate what age your horse is according to his teeth and how to determine this.
Please remember that the above items are done as “age appropriate”. See the leader for hand-outs for the 5-9 members that makes things much easier for them to start to learn about these topics at their learning level. As for the older member and first year members, it is your discretion to take these topics a step at a time and broaden yourselves. Each topic listed above will be discussed during meetings.
