4-H Youth Horses
The 4-H Horse Program in Kentucky is designed to reach youth that have a passion for horses, whether they own one or not.
The program offers a variety of areas in which the 4-Her's can be involved, learn valuable skills and make friends for life. To participate in state level 4-H events you must be a member of your county 4-H horse club and complete 6 hours of education through the club's certified volunteer leader.
To join 4-H in Kentucky, you must be between the ages of 9-18 and reside in Kentucky. All you have to do is know the county that you live in and contact your county 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent for more information.
Are you over 18, but still think this sounds like a lot of fun? Talk to your county agent about becoming a Certified Volunteer Leader. Attend one of the Certification Weekends located at various state parks around Kentucky, or a virtual session, and help lead our 4-H Youth! Contact your county 4-H Youth Development Agent for more information.
For information on other 4-H projects in Kentucky, visit the state 4-H website.
Objectives
The objectives of the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program are to provide a means for 4-H members to:
- Develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship and other desirable traits of character.
- Be better prepared for citizenship responsibilities through working in groups and supporting horse projects and activities.
- Promote a greater love for animals and a humane treatment toward them.
- Experience the pride of working with a horse, pony or mule and being responsible for its management and welfare.
- Develop an appreciation for horseback riding as a healthy and wholesome form of recreation.
- Enhance their horsemanship skills and knowledge as well as understanding the business of breeding, raising and training horses, ponies and/or mules.
- Increase their knowledge of basic safety precautions in order to prevent injury to themselves, their horse and others.
Educational Resources
- Horse Academy Workbooks Order Form
- 4-H Horse Project Record for Kentucky 4-H Horse Club Members
- Equine Extension Publications
- UK CES 4AF-06MO: Hiring a Horse Show Judge
- Horse Safety Guidelines for Kentucky 4-H Members
- Kentucky 4-H
- Kentucky Equine Education Project - Members buy one admission to the Horse Park, get one free!
- Kentucky Horse Council - Members buy one admission to the Horse Park, get one free!
- Saddle Up Safely - The KY 4-H Horse Program is a proud member
- UK Ag Equine Programs
- Horse Discovery
- 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System
- American Paint Horse Association - Earn Paint Horse program awards through 4-H accomplishments!
- American Quarter Horse Association
- Jr. Master Horseman Program
- American Youth Horse Council
- Animal Welfare Council: 6 Lessons about the Unwanted Horse
- Arabian Horse Association: Leg Up Lesson Series
- Eastern National 4-H Horse Round-Up
- eXtension.org
- U.S. Equestrian Federation
- The Horse Portal
- Body Condition Scoring
- Evaluating Horse Pastures Using the UK Pasture Health Score Card - Anna Draeger and Reilly Kaplan-Fardy
- Gaits of the Horse - Anna Draeger
- Equine First Aid - Dr. Fernanda Camargo
- Why Can Horses Run So Fast?
- Elements of Equine Structure - Dr. Laurie Lawrence
These videos were created for various college level courses, but can be used as educational tools for 4-H hours (if approved by the Certified Volunteer Leader) or used for Leader Recertification Hours:
- Strangles in Horses
- Rotovirus in Foals
- Lawsonia in Horses
- Salmonella in Horses
- Botulism in Horses
- Skin Disorders in Horses
- Intro to the Gastro Intestinal Tract
- Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
- Colic: Part I Gastric Ulcers
- Vaccination Guidelines
- Colic: Part II Medical/Surgical Cases
- Tetanus in Horses
- Intro to the Immune System: Part I
- Intro to the Immune System: Part II
- Equine Infectious Anemia
- Antibiotics use in Horses
- Equine Influenza
- Disease and Healing in Horses: Part I
- Disease and Healing in Horses: Part II
- Intro to Equine Respiratory System
- Neurological Disease in Horses
- EHV Type 1 & 4
- Endotoxemia in Horses
- Wound Management in Horses
- Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Horses
- Equine Asthma
- Intro to the Nervous System
- Potomac Horse Fever
- Rabies in Horses
4-H Virtual Horse Science 101 Project Group Recordings:
- November 2022 Meeting
- October 2021 Meeting
- November 2021 Meeting
- January 2022 Meeting
- February 2022 Makeup Meeting
- March 2022 Meeting
Note: Some websites to which these materials provide links for the convenience of users are not managed by the University of Kentucky or the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program. The university does not review, control or take responsibility for the contents of those sites.
Award & Scholarship Applications
The Kentucky 4-H Horse Program is so fortunate to have some of the most outstanding youth in the country. Some of these youth are now becoming young adults and going to college. We are also fortunate to have many organizations support these young adults with college scholarships.
Scholarship Opportunities for 2025
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture Equine Scholarship
- 4-H Horse Scholarship
- UK Academic Scholarship Programs
- Kentucky Horse Council Scholarship List
- Jockey Club Scholarships
- KEEP Foundation Scholarship
Note: This is not a comprehensive list of every scholarship offered. We do not endorse any entity and this list's purpose is to provide education regarding scholarship opportunities.
Kentucky 4-H Horse Advisory Council
The State 4-H Horse Advisory Council is made up of volunteer leaders and youth from all over the state that bring their time and talents together for youth horse programming. Of these delegates, officers are identified to provide leadership for the council and the 4-H Horse Program.
This council meets twice a year to review potential rule and program changes through recommendations submitted from across the state.
- President: Stephanie Meredith
- Vice President: Kendra Cunningham
- Secretary: Laura Horn
- 2021 Fall State 4-H Horse Advisory Council Meeting
- 2017 State 4-H Horse Advisory Council Meeting
- 2015 Fall State 4-H Horse Advisory Council Meeting
- 2014 December State 4-H Horse Advisory Council Meeting
- 2013 November Kentucky State 4-H Horse Management Meeting
- 2012 November Kentucky State 4-H Meeting
- 2012 February State 4-H Horse Management Team Meeting
- 2011 State 4-H Horse Advisory Council Meeting
- 2010 Spring State 4-H Horse Advisory Board Meeting
- 2009 November State 4-H Horse Advisory Board Meeting
- 2008 November State 4-H Horse Advisory Board Meeting
- 2008 February State 4-H Horse Advisory Board Meeting
News
- From the Horse's Mouth (Aug. '25)
- Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
8/19•KY 4-H Horse - From the Horse's Mouth (May '25)
- Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
5/7•KY 4-H Horse - Kentucky 4-H Horse Program: 2025 Program Updates (Apr. '25)
- Dr. Camargo
4/28•KY 4-H Horse - Hit the Trails YouTube Series (Apr. '25)
- Anna Draeger
4/25•KY 4-H Horse - From the Horse's Mouth (Apr. '25)
- Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
4/16•KY 4-H Horse - From the Horse's Mouth (Mar. '25) - Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
3/19•KY 4-H Horse - From the Horse's Mouth (Feb. '25) - Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
2/18•KY 4-H Horse - From the Horse's Mouth (Jan. '25) - Dr. Camargo, Anna Draeger
1/16•KY 4-H Horse
