Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Levels 1- 2

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Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Knowledge
Levels 1- 2

• Dr. Amy Burk
• University of Maryland
• Extension Horse Specialist

Kristen M. Wilson University of
Maryland Extension Horse Specialist
Rev. 4/8/10
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Knowledge Testing Schedule

• Written Test
• Copies from County Extension Office
• Allow 45 minutes
• Oral Practicum
• Cover information on the knowledge testing sheet
  for each level
• Everything else covered on the written test

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Knowledge Level Sections

• Handling
• Breeds, Conformation, Movement
• Grooming and Bandaging
• Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge
• Nutrition
• Stable Management and Safety
• Tack and Equipment
• Transportation and Travel Safety

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Horse Handling

• Levels 1 and 2
• Know where a horses blind spots are located
• Be able to explain how to safely approach a horse
• Level 2 Only
• Explain how to safely tie a horse up
• Explain how to safely lead a horse

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Horse Handling

• Which is the most correct way to approach a
  horse?
• Which knot should be used?

A B C
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Horse ID/Breeds

• Parts of Horse
• Horse Colors and Markings
• Horse Gender Descriptions (Level 1)
• Filly, Colt, Mare, Stallion, and Gelding
• Major Horse and Pony Breeds (Level 2)

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Parts of Horse
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Colors Level 1
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Colors Level 2
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Facial Markings Level 2
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Leg Markings- Level 2

• A Heel
• B. Coronet
• C. Half-Pastern
• D. Pastern

• E. Ankle
• F. Half Stocking
• G. Stocking

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Measurement- Level 2

• 1 Hand 4 inches
• Horse 14.2 hands and taller
• Pony Under 14.2 hands

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Conformation and Movement

• Identify Gaits (Level 2 Only)
• Know how many beats are in a walk and trot/ jog

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Walk
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Trot
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Grooming

• Level 1
• Reasons for daily grooming
• Items that should be included in a grooming kit
  and their use
• How to pick out a hoof and explain its
  importance
• Level 2
• Be able to explain the proper procedure for daily
  grooming

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Grooming

• Important for health, hygiene and appearance
• Stimulates blood circulation helps maintain
  muscle tone
• Basic equipment
• Curry Comb
• Brush (Dandy Body)
• Hoof pick
• Mane tail comb

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Grooming Tools and Technique
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Bandaging

• Level 1
• Reasons for bandaging legs
• Level 2
• Types of boots/bandages
• Reasons for using boots/bandages

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Reasons for Bandaging

• Protection of the legs, particularly while riding
  or trailering the horse
• Prevention of swelling after the horse works
• For treatment and protection of injuries

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Stable Bandage
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Shipping Bandages/Boots
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Boots
Bell Boots
Splint Boots
Ankle Boots
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Health/Veterinary Care

• Levels 1 2
• Recognition of basic signs of illness and injury
  applied to when and why you would call a vet
• Level 2
• Recognition of a horse thats properly cooled out
  after work
• Importance of daily hoof care and importance of
  regular farrier visits

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Signs of Illness

• Loss of appetite
• Depression
• Lack of gut sounds
• Lameness
• Elevated vital signs
• Abnormal behaviors

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Recognizing Problems
Learn to Recognize Abnormal Behavior
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Proper Cool Down after Exercise
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Hoof Care
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Hoof Care

• Recommended every 6 to 8 weeks
• Costs depends on what is done
• Types of services
• Hoof Trim
• Front Shoes Only
• Four Shoes
• Specialized Care

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Nutrition

• Level 1
• Items youd feed a horse daily
• Level 2
• Recognition of feed/hay that is safe to feed
• Proper storage methods for feed/hay

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Types of Diets
Forage
Concentrate
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Concentrate

• Used to
• Supplement and balance nutrients in forages
• Supplement higher caloric needs of working and
  lactating horses

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Forage

• Very important for proper digestion
• Types of hay
• Legume
• Grass
• Mixed
• Horse will consume 1 ½ to 2 of body weight per
  day

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Grain/Hay Storage

• Must be protected from
• Moisture
• Insects
• Rodents
• Hay should be stored off the ground or in loft
  and
• Grain should be stored in tubs in a temperature
  controlled area

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Stable Management and Safety

• Level 1
• Things that are not safe to do or have in a barn
• Types of appropriate beddings
• Level 2
• Unsafe types of fencing
• Common stable vices

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Beddings- What is Appropriate?
Newspaper
Wood Shavings
Straw
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Safe Fencing Types
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(No Transcript)
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Unsafe Fencing Types
Barbed Wire
High Tensile Wire
Chain Link
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Common Stable Vices

• Pawing
• Cribbing / Wind Sucking
• Weaving
• Kicking
• Wood Chewing

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Tack Equipment

• Level 1
• Reasons for cleaning tack
• Level 2
• Major parts of the saddle and bridle
• Products and equipment used to clean tack

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Reasons for Cleaning Tack

• If tack is not cleaned,
• it makes the leather rough
• which encourages girth galls
• and other rubs on the horse
• Unclean tack can break
• more easily, posing a
• dangerous situation for
• both horse and rider

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English Bridle Parts
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Western Bridles
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Saddles- English and Western
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Tack Cleaning Equipment
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Transportation and Travel

• Level 1
• Describe how to make a horse safer or more
  comfortable while trailering
• Level 2
• Know purpose of head bumper, break away halter,
  blanket, tail wrap, and shipping boots/bandages
  in reference to shipping

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Preparation for Transport
(Hill, 2000)
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References and Resources

• Approved resources for state contests
• USPC Manual of Horsemanship The Basics for
  Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris
• USPC Manual of Horsemanship The Intermediate
  Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris
• USPC Manual of Horsemanship The Advanced
  Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris

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Acknowledgements

• Thanks for assistance to
• Rebekah Cosden
• Development of Horsemanship Levels
• Meredith Clark
• Development of Training Materials for Riding
  Levels
• Jessica Suagee
• Development of Examiner Certification Tests