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Horseless Project Page


Who is the Horseless Project designed for?

A. Any youth interested in learning and experiencing more about horses within the format of a 4-H club but unable to bring a horse to the Kent County Youth Fair

1. Youth may or may not have access to a horse
2. Youth may or may not be able to ride
3. Youth may or may not be working toward the mounted project

B. Examples of youths benefiting from Horseless Project: first year in Horse Project; safe show horse unavailable; financial constraints; personal or family choices; project horse unable to go to Fair; away at collage; riding discipline not included in 4-H Rule Book; more siblings than horses available


Brian is in charge of the helping with the horseless project this year. Please check this page for updates and changes for the horseless project. If you have any questions please email Brian: brian@equiventuresfarm.com.To complete the horseless project you need to do the following:

  • Novice/Junior/Senior Horsemaster DivisionHorseless Record BookHorseless Dismounted AbilitiesElement Cover Sheet
  • Novice/Junior/Senior Elements

Horseless Documents:

Horseless Record Book (.pdf)

**Interactive** Horseless Record Book (.pdf)

Horseless Dismounted Abilities (.pdf)

Horseless Project overview and requirements (.doc)

Element Cover Sheet (.pdf)

Novice Elements (.pdf)

Junior Elements (.pdf)

Senior Elements (.pdf)


NOVICE HORSELESS PROJECT ELEMENTS

**Yellow items can be accomplished at Equi-Ventures Farm**
A Horseless member’s Division will be determined by their Novice, Junior or Senior Horsemaster
Book and appropriate Horseless Dismounted Abilities. The actual Horseless Project will
consist of the Horseless Record Book and the appropriate Horseless Elements. Complete the required
elements for each bracket as directed at the beginning of each bracket.
Each element needs to be submitted in the member’s Horseless Project Notebook with an
Element Cover Sheet preceding each element. Use various methods when completing each element:
captioned pictures, documented photo display, personal drawings, written form, video, CD,
etc. Any copied article or copied research will not be accepted. Except for where noted, each element
needs to be submitted within the member’s Horseless Notebook.
All Horseless Project requirements will be due at the July date set each year for all Horsemaster
Requirements.

HEALTH & CARE
Select and complete three elements below. Fill out an Element Cover Sheet for each element. Submit with your
Horseless Project Notebook. Except for Element # 4 keep everything within the pages of your Horseless Project
Notebook.

1. Describe or show proper hoof cleaning prior to riding
2. Describe or show how to safely feed and water a horse in a stall; in a pasture
3. Describe or show three things the vet should do when seeing a horse in the spring

4. Develop a diorama of a safe box stall or run-in
5. Describe or show how to groom a horse in the spring during shedding season
6. Draw and describe your fantasy horse. Include: breed, color, markings, size, age, gender, name, personality, training
7. Determine the cost of hay and grain in your area from two different sources; name both of your sources

8. Describe or show what you can expect from an equine dental exam and procedure
9. Describe or show what is needed for fencing and gates to be considered safe for housing horses
10. Describe or show an injury leading to a scar that would effect how the horse moves

HANDLING & SAFETY
Select and complete three elements below. Fill out an Element Cover Sheet for each element. Submit with your
Horseless Project Notebook. Keep everything within the pages of your Horseless Notebook.

1. Describe or show how to safely groom a horse. Include tying and the use of a manger knot
2. Describe or show how to correctly approach a horse in the stall, put on a halter and safely lead out through stall door
3. Describe or show how to safely lead a horse over several poles on the ground
4. Describe or show both safe and unsafe areas to stand while holding the lead rope of a horse. Explain why each area is
either safe or unsafe
5. Explain how to adjust a bridle, saddle and stirrup length for both the horse and the rider
6. Describe or show a riding lesson and what you learned
7. Compare how two different horses you know lead. Include their ages and level of ground training

8. Describe or show three ways a horse will defend itself in the wild. Explain how each of these behaviors are dangerous
to man

9. Describe or show where to stand and how to put a bridle and saddle on a horse
10. Describe or show how to correctly store a bridle, saddle and halter

CAREERS & EDUCATION
Select and complete two elements below. Fill out an Element Cover Sheet for each element. Submit with your
Horseless Project Notebook. Keep everything within the pages of your Horseless Notebook.

1. Volunteer 4 hours at a local equine facility or event. Document your hours and what you learned or observed
2. Attend a local horse show. Interview an exhibitor and a worker. Document your interview. Select questions prior to the interview and include them in your element
3. Read a book on horse care. Evaluate the book. Was it informative, easy to understand without owning a horse? What
was the most interesting thing you learned?

4. Make a list of possible jobs relating to horses. Which ones would you need further schooling after high school? Which
ones could you remain in this area? Which ones would you need to relocate?

5. Tour a breeding or training farm. Document your observations. What was the most fun? What seemed to be the hardest thing for the farm owner?
6. Collect 4 pictures of 4 different horses within the same breed and place them as if they were in a halter class. Explain
your reasons
7. Read a current monthly horse magazine. Briefly summarize the article that stands out to you the most
8. Attend a clinic, seminar or educational event that is horse related. What did you learn?
9. You are now a 4-H Horse Leader for a new Kent County 10 member club. Design two winter meetings for your club
10. Interview a ferrier, an equine dentist or an equine chiropractor. What are some interesting things about their profession

BREEDS & DISCIPLINES
Select and complete two elements below. Fill out an Element Cover Sheet for each element. Submit with your
Horseless Project Notebook. Keep everything within the pages of your Horseless Notebook.
1. Select one breed and describe basic conformation about that specific breed
2. Compare the size and weight differences for ponies, light horses and draft horses
3. Select a riding discipline (dressage, reining, jumping, etc) and give a history and purpose for that discipline. Include specific equipment needs
4. Select two pieces of training equipment and describe both the correct and incorrect usage of each

5. Describe or show the difference between a lope, canter, gallop and run
6. Select a breed registry that does not allow for certain colors or markings. Define the colors or markings not allowed

7. Select a breed registry and research the cost of individual membership, cost of farm membership and cost for transferring registration papers within that breed
8. Write a short story or report about your favorite horse breed. Include why this is your favorite breed
9. Select your favorite class at a show and describe what the judge would be looking for in the winner of that class. Design and describe the perfect horse for that class

10. Make a set of 10 flash cards showing 10 different breeds

DESIGN AND CREATE
(extra credit)
Select and complete one element below. Fill out an Element Cover Sheet . Submit with your Horseless Project
Notebook. Keep everything except Element # 6 within the pages of your Horseless Notebook.
1. Design a horse related greeting card for a friend’s birthday
2. Write a short story with yourself as the main character and a fantasy horse
3. Design a horse related stamp featuring either a famous horse or a horse you personally know
4. Write a young children’s book featuring a short, fat pony and one other animal of your choice

5. Take a series of photos of a horse you enjoy spending time with or watching. Describe the horse you have chosen
6. Draw using either paints, charcoals, pastels, pencils or ink a horse scene
7. Design a 4-H club banner that can be hung at your barn at Fair
8. Select a theme. Then make a college of pictures you have collected representing your selected theme

[Download the Novice Elements Sheet with the Highlighted Rows]


If you have any questions or concerns regarding

this website, please contact Brian Bode at brian@equiventuresfarm.com

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