4-H horse project

Animal health and biosecurity information - Important to read. 

Get started with 4-H'ers in your area

• Find a club near you or contact your local 4-H office for more info.

Get started on your own

• National 4-H horse activity books (for sale)
• Horse activity sheets from Utah State 4-H (free download)
• Horse and pony hot sheets from Iowa 4-H (free download)

• Horse Science
• Illustrated Dictionary of Equine Terms
• The Horse
• Horses and Horsemanship
• All about horse breeds (Oklahoma Extension)
• Ohio 4-H Animal Science - Horse
• Member Achievement Book

Horse Library

We have a lending library of more than 400 horse-related books and video recordings. It was established and built through funding from the Minnesota Horse Council, memorials and donations.

• Book List
• DVD list
• Complete video list, including DVD and VHS

How to order

1. Complete the library request form. 
2. Email Amy DeGroot before you order to find out if a book or video is available. Or, name at least one alternate book. 
3. Mail your check and completed request form to:
   Minnesota 4-H Horse Library
   University of Minnesota Extension
   322 Laurel St., Suite 21
   Brainerd MN 56401

Costs

• Shipping: $3 (Rush orders: additional $2)
• Late fees: 60 cents per day per book, video or game

You do not need to be a member of 4-H to order. 

Contact

Renee Kostick, 218-232-5174, hinkx001@umn.edu 

Interlibrary loan

Search for a horse book in a library near you by using WorldCat.

With a current Minnesota library card, you can use interlibrary loan to get books from farther away using MNLINK,  Find this search engine on your local library's website or MNLINK Gateway: Basic Search.

Search hints: an ISBN (international standard book number) search works best. Ask for help at your local library.

Horse associations and groups

• Minnesota Horse Council
• Minnesota Horse Expo
• Minnesota Trail Riders Association
• Arabian Horse Association
• Morgan Horse Association
• National Extension website and resources
• US Equestrian Foundation 
• American Quarter Horse Association(AQHA)
• American Saddlebred Horse Association(ASHA)
• Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC)
• Pinto Horse Association (PtHA)

• Horse information sheet - posted Dec. 13, 2023
• Horse Program Rule Book
• AnSci updates for 2024 — posted Dec. 13, 2023
• 4-H animal ID requirements and processes 
• Animal science show requirements sheet for all species 
• Cloverbuds and animals
• 4-H involvement in Western Saddle Club Association shows
• Helmet policy
• Leasing a 4-H animal

What you'll do

• Oversee the program for the benefit of all members
• Serve on a sub-committee, such as awards, marketing or judges training. 

Join the 4-H Horse Project Development Committee (PDC)

This is a leadership opportunity for 4-H members in grade 9 and up. Represent your fellow 4-H'ers on the PDC, serving with adult volunteers. 

How to apply

See complete details and apply on our volunteer site.

Horse project resources

• Horse project resources for volunteers
• Horse project development committee (PDCs) resources

To volunteer with 4-H in your area, contact your local 4-H office.

You can exhibit

Your horse

See the Horse Program Rule Book for full details. Contact your local 4-H office for sign-up deadlines and more info about how to get started showing in these categories:

• English Equitation
• English Pleasure
• Western Horsemanship
• Western Pleasure
• Pole Weaving
• Jumping Figure 8
• Key Race
• Barrel Race
• Trail Class
• Horse Showmanship
• Miniature Horses

Challenged riders may compete in many categories. See the Horse Program Rule Book for details.  

Your knowledge

See the Horseless Booklet for full details of how to compete in these categories:

• Horseless horse
• Horse-related

Interview

Answer questions about your horse knowledge. 

Display

Create a display, demonstration, poster or video about:

• Breeding
• Health and diseases
• Production (care and feeding)
• Other horse topics, such as biosecurity

County fairs

You can take a horse project to the county fair. Check with your local 4-H office to sign up. 

Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show

If you do well at the county fair, you might qualify for the state horse show. See the Horse Program Rule Book for details and what a judge is looking for.

Record keeping and evaluation

You can exhibit a horse-related project at the Minnesota State Fair. 

• Veterinary science. Find out what a judge is looking for. 
• Exploring animals. Find out what a judge is looking for.

4-H youth record keeping 

Reflect on your project and what you've learned. You may use your records in your fair exhibit.

Find a judge for your 4-H horse event