GBH156 North Dakota 4-H Green Training Project

Carrie Hammer, Assistant Professor, NDSU Department of Animal Science Tara Swanson, Lecturer, NDSU Department of Animal Science

Who can participate? Levels Before starting the Green Horse o Level 1 — Unmounted Skills Project, participants must be (suitable for any age horse) The purpose of the Green comfortable with basic horse-handling Horse Training project is to o Level 2 — Unmounted Skills and riding skills. Participants should give the participant hands- (suitable for yearlings and be able to demonstrate the ability on experience in raising older) to work with a horse on the ground, and training a horse. This is o Level 3 — Mounted Skills including catching, haltering, leading intended to be a demonstration (suitable for age 2 years and grooming. Participants also should project in which participants and older; horses should be be able to demonstrate basic riding can move through the levels at ridden with a snaffle (or skills, including saddling and bridling, their own pace. Each level must ) with two hands on the and maneuvering through a pattern at be completed in order, and all ) the walk, jog and lope. This is not an skills within a level must be appropriate project for 4-H’ers with o Level 4 — Mounted Skills completed prior to beginning limited horsemanship skills. (suitable for horses age 2 years the next level. and older; horses should be All training is to be completed by Skills for each level can be ridden with a snaffle bit (or the participant. Horses that receive assessed (passed/checked bosal) with two hands on the professional training are ineligible off) by any designated leader, rein) for this project. Participants are coach or judge appropriately encouraged to get advice from skilled in the 4-H Green Horse professional trainers as they Training Project. If certain skills Equipment progress through the levels; however, could not be demonstrated, professional help should be in the form The following basic equipment the assessor should mark of instruction only, and the professional will be necessary throughout the the checklist accordingly and trainers should not be participating training process: provide comments to the actively in the training of the horse. o Well-fitting participant. Only when all skills o Sturdy cotton or nylon lead are demonstrated adequately rope (8 to 10 feet) with snap is the level is considered What is a ‘Green Horse’? (no chain) “passed.” The assessor should provide a signature and date in A green horse is considered to be one o Nylon or cotton lunge line the project book of the 4-H’er with little to no training. The Green o pad/blanket when each level is passed. Horse Project was developed for young o Saddle (English or Western) Showcasing the project at a horses (weanling, or 2-year- o with snaffle bit (English county fair or achievement day old); however, any age horse can be or Western) used. The amount of training is what is not necessary. o Grooming bushes, hoof pick determines whether a horse is eligible to begin the project. Make sure all equipment used properly fits the horse because Only one horse may be used per ill-fitting equipment may lead to project. If the project is discontinued training problems. for any reason, the 4-H’er must start March 2012 over at Level 1 with a new horse. Showmanship

1. Start at Cone 1 and trot to Cone 2 Judge Level 2 2 Pattern 1 2. Stop at Cone 2 andPatterns set up for 1. Start at Cone 1 andinspection trot to Cone 2 2. Stop at Cone 3.2 and Following set up inspection back 5 steps for inspection and perform a 180o pivot 3. Following inspection back 5 steps and perform a 180o pivot 4. Walk halfway to Cone 1 and then 4. Walk halfway to Conepick 1up a trot and continue to trot and then pick up a trot and to Cone 1 continue to trot to Cone 1 Showmanship 5. Stop at Cone 5.1, upon Stop at Cone 1, upon completion 1 completionShow trotm backansh toip line trot back to line 1. Walk from Cone 1 to Cone 2

1. Start at Cone 1 and trot to Cone 2 2. Stop and back 4 steps 2 o 2. Stop at Cone3 2 and back to a point 3. Perform a 270 pivot even with the judge 4. Trot around Cone 3 to a point in 2 3. Stop and perform a 270o pivot line with the judge Judge 4. Walk to judge and set up for 5. Stop and set up for inspection inspection 6. Following inspection trot back 5. When dismissed trot back to line to line 1 1 Start Pattern 2 Pattern 3 1. Start at Cone 1 and trot to Cone 2 1. Walk from Cone 1 to Cone 2 2. Stop at Cone 2 and back to a 2. Stop and back 4 steps point even with the judge 3. Perform a 270o pivot o 3. Stop and perform a 270 pivot 4. Trot around Cone 3 to a point in line with 4. Walk to judge and set up for the judge inspection 5. Stop and set up for inspection 5. When dismissed trot back to line 6. Following inspection trot back to line

2 Western Horsemanship Level 4 Patterns

1. Start at Cone 1 and walk half way to Cone 2, then pick up a jog andPattern continue 1 to Cone 2 1. Start at Cone 1 and walk half 2. Atway Cone to Cone 2, lope 2, then a circpickle up to a 2 jog and continue to Cone 2 the right back to Cone 2 2. At Cone 2, lope a circle to the right back to Cone 2 3. At Cone 2, stop and pivot 180° 3. At Cone 2, stop and pivot 180o to theto the left left 4. Lope a circle to the left 4. Lope a circle to the left 5. Stop at Cone 2 and back 5.6. Stop Pivot at90 oCone to the 2right and and back jog back to line 6. Pivot 90° to the right and jog 1 Western Hobackrsem toa nlineship

1. Walk from Cone 1 to Cone 2 Pattern 2 1.2. Walk Stop from at ConeCone 1 2to and back 5 steps Cone 2 3. Jog a circle to the right back to 2. Stop at Cone 2 and back 5 stepsCone 2 2 3. Jog a circle to the right 4.back At Coneto Cone 2 2pick up a lope on the 4. Atleft Cone lead 2 pick and up lope a lope a circle to the on the left lead and lope a circleleft to the left 5. Stop at Cone 2 and 5. Stop at Cone 2 and perform a perform a 180o pivot to the right180o pivot to the right 6. Jog from Cone 2 back to 1 6.Cone Jog 1 from and stop Cone at Cone2 back 1 to Cone 1 7. Jogand back stop to lineat Cone 1

7. Jog back to line 3 Western Horsemanship Level 4 Patterns (continued)

1. Start at Cone 1 and jog an arc, 3 stop directly in front of Cone 2

2. Perform a 270o pivot to the left

Pattern3. 3 Walk halfway from Cone 2 to 1. Start at ConeCone 1 and 3 jog an arc, stop directly in front of Cone 2 2. Perform4. a 270 Picko pivot up theto the right left lead and lope a 3. Walk halfway from Cone 2 to Cone 3 2 circle to the right, continue to 4. Pick up the right lead and lope a circle to thelope right, to continue Cone 3to lope to Cone 3 5. Stop at 5.Cone Stop 3 and at backCone 5 3steps and back 5 steps 6. Jog back6. to Jog line back to line

1

4 Green Horse Training Project Level 1 – Unmounted Skills (suitable for any age horse)

Skill Passed Comments

Safely approach and halter your horse.

Brush and touch the entire body on your horse.

Pick up and clean out all four feet.

Demonstrate how to safely tie your horse using a slipknot.

Show that your horse can move its forehand and hindquarters away from pressure when asked. Cut along dotted line. Demonstrate that your horse can lead by having it walk, trot, stop and back up. Horses should back a minimum of one horse length.

Have your horse stand quietly for inspection (stand square or other breed-appropriate stance while the assessor walks around the horse).

General Comments:

Name______

Club______County______

Evaluator signature______Date______

5 6 Green Horse Training Project

Level 2 – Unmounted Skills (suitable for yearlings and older)

Skill Passed Comments

Demonstrate a showmanship pattern including a pivot (minimum of 180 degrees).

Use a halter display that your horse can flex its neck both directions and also give to pressure on the poll.

Lunge your horse in both directions at all gaits (walk, trot, canter).

Show that you can halt your horse on the lunge line.

Demonstrate your horse’s ability to remain calm Cut along dotted line. while being sacked out (desensitized) with various items (plastic bag, blanket, tarp, etc.).

Saddle your horse.

Bridle your horse.

General Comments:

Name______

Club______County______

Evaluator signature______Date______

7 8 Green Horse Training Project

Level 3 – Mounted Skills (suitable for horses age 2 years and older; horses should be ridden with a snaffle bit (or bosal) with two hands on the )

Skill Passed Comments

Demonstrate that your horse will stand still and quietly while you mount and dismount.

While mounted, flex your horse’s neck both directions.

Exhibit that you can ride your horse at the walk, jog and lope. Horses must be able to pick up the correct leads for the direction they are going (clockwise – right lead; counter- clockwise – left lead). Show the ability to turn your horse utilizing

Cut along dotted line. direct rein contact (using two hands on the reins, pull with right rein – horse turns right; pull with left rein – horse turns left) at all gaits.

Back your horse at least one horse length.

Exhibit both upward and downward transitions between gaits (move from a walk to a jog to a lope; move from a lope to a jog to a walk).

Demonstrate the ability to stop your horse from all gaits and have it stand quietly.

General Comments:

Name______

Club______County______

Evaluator signature______Date______

9 10 Green Horse Training Project

Level 4 – Mounted Skills (suitable for horses age 2 years and older; horses should be ridden with a snaffle bit (or bosal) with two hands on the reins)

Skill Passed Comments

Side-pass your horse both directions.

Perform a pivot on the haunches (move your horse’s forehand around its hindquarters – minimum of 180 degrees) in both directions.

Perform a pivot on the forehand (move your horse’s haunches around its forehand – minimum of 90 degrees) in both directions.

Demonstrate upward transition from the walk to the lope and downward transitions from the

Cut along dotted line. lope to the walk and stop.

Ride a figure eight with a simple lead change (drop to a jog and switch leads).

Be able to extend all gaits (show a lengthening of stride, not an increase in speed).

Perform a simple pattern that includes demonstrating all three gaits, at least one circle in each direction, a pivot and backing.

General Comments:

Name______

Club______County______

Evaluator signature______Date______

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