Master Horseman Start Guide

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What is the Master Horseman Project?

The Master Horseman Project is designed as a tool for 4-H members to learn about horse care and handling, and the equine industry in general. Completing hands-on activities helps develop skills not only in horsemanship and equine handling, but also in leadership, communication, decision-making and personal management.

The steps involved in completing the series of three manuals (Novice, Intermediate, and Master Horseman) allow the 4-H member to learn safety precautions related to horse handling, horsemanship skills, proper care, and responsibility, as each member is required to participate in the daily handling and management of the project horse or pony.

More Details

The activities outlined in the manuals include service activities on the club and community levels, which encourage both continued participation in 4-H and the development of leadership skills which can be carried beyond the scope of the Horse project and the Georgia 4-H program. Each manual contains a set of questions and problems which must be answered/solved in order to demonstrate the knowledge that the 4-H’er gains through the research performed during the completion of the manual. Various activities are required, completion of which must be documented by the 4-H’er and signed by an adult leader. Progression through the series of manuals guides the 4-H’er through an increasing level of difficulty in both horse handling skills and knowledge of the equine industry.  

 Special Notes

A qualified horse club leader or agent must sign each manual, indicating that activities have been performed, and that questions have been answered correctly. A completed manual is considered to be one which has been completely filled out, with at least 80 percent of questions answered correctly. Completion of the Novice Horsemanship Manual is required in order for a 4-H’er to compete at the State 4-H Horse Show, and is required in order to advance to the Intermediate Horseman Manual. Completion of the Intermediate Horseman Manual is required in order to progress to the Master Horseman Manual. 

Completion of the Master Horseman Manual entitles the 4-H’er to Master 4-H’er status and is considered the culmination of years of hard work by the 4-H’er within the Horse project, and is a very high honor.  

Preparation Activities 

Horseman books overview Each book is 12-16 pages 

Novice Horseman book: Includes general knowledge, markings, health/hoof care, basic record keeping, and basic riding/handling skills (minimum 60 hours) 

Intermediate Horseman book: Includes equipment id (hunt and stock seat), illnesses, more in depth recording keeping and feedings, more in depth riding/handling skills (minimum 160 hours) 

Master Horseman book: Includes a teaching and or leadership role in horse industry, skeletal id, developing a feeding plan, writing reports on handling topic, more in depth recording keeping on health and riding/handling skills (minimum of 260 hours) 

Special Considerations for Mastery

In order to receive the certificate of completion for each manual, a student is required to: 

• Be a member of a 4-H club within the state of Georgia.
• Be responsible for the care of a horse, either owned or leased by the 4-H’er 
• Have access to proper equipment and tack in good, safe working condition.
• Wear proper, safe attire for every instance of handling and riding demonstrations. 
• Demonstrate humane handling of the horse at all times.
• Complete all requirements of the manual to the satisfaction of the 4-H leader, agent, and/or State Extension Equine Specialist.
• Submit the completed manual to the county 4-H office.
• At the Master level, pass (85% or better) a comprehensive test of knowledge and horsemanship skills, under the direct supervision of a State Extension Equine Specialist 

Recommended Resources 

Horseman books:
Novice Horseman Project Manual
Intermediate Horseman Project Manual
Master Horseman Project Manual

 

Contact  

Dr. Kari Turner, UGA Animal & Dairy Science Equine Extension Specialist  

Kate Whiting, State 4-H Animal Science Specialist 

 

Manual Prepared by: Allison Perkins, Bartow County 4-H Agent, Kate Whiting, State 4-H Animal Science Specialist 5/10/23 https://georgia4h.org/programs/focus-areas/agriculture-stem/agriculture/livestock-and-animalprojects/judging-teams/hippology/