4-H Horse Program Grows Youth for Life
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EBLINETM Nov./Dec. 2019 NNEBRASKA EXTENSION IN LANCASTER COUNTY 4-H Horse Program Grows Youth for Life Kate Pulec Extension Assistant, Lancaster County The horse is an animal that has provided people with many different services throughout history, from trans- portation, to agriculture, to recreation. A 2017 economic impact study of the United States horse industry estimated there are about 7.2 million horses in the U.S. and 180,000 of those horses reside in Nebraska. The horse industry currently contributes approximately $50 billion in direct economic impact to the U.S. economy and roughly 988,394 jobs (American Horse Council Foundation, 2018). Horses in the 4-H program provide youth with an even more important opportunity: the opportunity to gain life skills and lifelong friendships. About the 4-H Horse Program The mission of Nebraska 4-H is to empower youth to reach their full poten- tial, working and learning in partnership with caring adults. Young people learn best when they are involved in their learning. The Lancaster County 4-H horse program does just that. Participation in the 4-H horse project and non-riding competitive horse-related contests are tools for youth to develop life skills such and state horse shows, horse judging the Lancaster County Super Fair. The and problem solving (Smith et al, 2006). as leadership, sportsmanship and handling and hippology contests, horsemanship Lancaster County Super Fair holds the Hannah Ronnau, a former 4-H pressure while simultaneously enhancing advancement level testings, hands-on longest county fair horse show in the state. horse program youth member, says, their horse knowledge (Anderson and learning clinics and shows. In 2019, the Super Fair 4-H horse show “Lancaster County’s horse program gave Karr-Lilienthal, 2011). This year, youth participated in featured 44 events spanning six days, me numerous valuable opportunities to Lancaster County’s 4-H horse the Lancaster County horse program with 109 horse exhibitors competing in improve my skills as an academic and an program is the largest in the state, with by joining one of the 21 horse clubs or 1,046 total entries. Each of the classes equestrian. Through district, state and over 165 youth from ages 8–18 enrolled participating as an independent member. require different levels of horsemanship national competitions, I learned how to in the horse project. These youth have the Youth are required to provide their own skills and ability along with different study effectively, communicate to different opportunity to participate in many riding horse. Raising an animal develops life riding disciplines. Some of the shows audiences and manage time. It taught me and non-riding horse events throughout skills such as goal setting, discipline, include Dressage, Hunter Jumper, Roping, how to successfully be part of a team.” the 4-H year on a county, state and problem solving and a sense of responsi- Western, English, Miniature Horse, Trail Ivy Dearmont, a former 4-H horse national level. Some events include district bility. By working with their peers, caring and Games (speed events). Youth are program youth member, says, “Everyday adult volunteers and leaders in the horse encouraged to educate fairgoers about I find myself being grateful that I was a program and community, youth develop their 4-H horse project. part of Lancaster County’s horse program. positive learning experiences, teamwork Lancaster County also offers a horse I am often reminded that this program National-Level skills and improve communication skills. incentive program that allows youth helped me learn responsibility, persever- Horse Knowledge to track the hours they spend doing ance and sportsmanship. It even helped Learning/Growing horse-related activities. The goal is for the guide me to the career path that I am in Lancaster County 4-H has Opportunities youth to learn organizational and record today!” had over 49 youth compete at the keeping skills, set goals, provide commu- References: Western National Roundup contest The 4-H horse program begins by nity service and show dedication to their • American Horse Council Foundation (2018). in Denver, Colorado. Lancaster offering youth the opportunity to learn project. Economic Impact of the U.S. Horse Industry. County youth have competed every basic horsemanship knowledge, safety Available at year at nationals since 2011 in and skills, and then be tested on it. Youth Growing Life Skills www.horsecouncil.org/resources/economics. • Anderson, K. P. Karr-Lilienthal, L (2011). contests such as horse quiz bowl, use research-based curriculum created It is through all of these efforts that Influence of 4-H Horse Project Involvement on horse judging, public speaking, by Nebraska Extension which is broken youth in the 4-H horse program have the Development of Life Skills. Journal of Extension. demonstration and hippology. Once down into four horsemanship advance- opportunity to become true leaders and [On-line], 49, 5 Article 5IAW2. Available at again, in January of 2020, a team of ment levels. As the levels increase, so does inspire others in our community. Youth www.joe.org/joe/2011october/iw2.php. • Smith, C. E. Swinker, A. M, Comerford, P. M, four Lancaster County youth will the knowledge and skill required to pass. who excel in horsemanship skills demon- Radhakrishna, R. B., & Scheidt-Hoover, T. S. compete in the national hippology Youth can showcase the skills they strate a positive relationship in developing (2006). Horsemanship and life skills of youth (horse knowledge) contest. have learned from level testing and life skills such as decision making, in horse programs. The Professional Animal clinics at local 4-H shows, including thinking, communicating, goal setting Scientist. 22(1):89-93. 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Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Douglas-Sarpy Counties has a web- and mobile-friendly version Thanksgiving is a time for of the NEBLINE newsletter! families to gather and enjoy each other — not suffer from food Sign up at lancaster.unl.edu/nebline poisoning! Here are a few tips to You have the option to keep your family healthy: • The United States Department subscribe/unsubscribe to the of Agriculture (USDA) recom- print and/or online versions. mends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator. It takes 24 two hours to prevent bacteria unsafe temperatures. hours for every 5 pounds of from growing on the food. Eat • Do not prepare food when you turkey, not including the day leftovers in the refrigerator are ill. you cook it. Therefore, a 20–24 within 3–4 days. Use the • Simplify the day by preparing Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County pound turkey would take 6 freezer to store leftovers for foods the day before. days to thaw. longer periods. • Keep leftovers in a cooler with & Lancaster Extension Education Center Conference Facilities • Do not stuff your turkey. Place • Do not over-fill your refriger- ice or frozen gel packs if the 444 Cherrycreek Road, Ste. A stuffing in a separate bowl to ator as it causes it to work too food is traveling home with a Lincoln, NE 68528 cook. hard and may not keep it at guest who lives more than two 402-441-7180 • USDA recommends an oven 40°F or below. hours away. temperature no lower than http://lancaster.unl.edu 325°F for cooking a turkey Healthy Holiday Sources: along with using a thermom- Safety Tips 1. Thanksgiving Food Preparation and Email: [email protected] • Fax: 402-441-7148 Food Safety Tips, Nebraska Extension eter to make sure the thickest • Frequently wash your hands 2. Turkey, Foodsafety.gov Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources part of the turkey reads 165°F. with warm water and soap for 3. Thanksgiving, Foodsafety.gov at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating with the Counties and the A 20–24 pound turkey may 20 seconds. United States Department of Agriculture. take about 5 hours to cook. • Use a calibrated food This article has been peer-reviewed. Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination • Avoid cross-contamination thermometer. policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United States Department of Agriculture. by using separate cutting • Clean out your refrigerator the FOR MORE We assure reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act; boards, plates and utensils week before Thanksgiving to INFORMATION for assistance call 402-441-7180. when handling raw turkey. make room for thawing items Nebraska Extension has Wash items that have touched and storing leftovers. compiled numerous resources on raw meat with warm soap • Store leftovers in shallow Thanksgiving food preparation UNIT LEADER & EXTENSION EDUCATOR and water, or place them in a containers to decrease cooling and food safety tips at http:// Karen Wobig go.unl.edu/thanksgivingtips dishwasher. time. This prevents food from ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICER Jenny DeBuhr • Refrigerate leftovers within spending too much time at EXTENSION EDUCATORS Tracy Anderson, Sarah Browning, Kayla Colgrove, Jaci Foged, Emily Gratopp, Alyssa Havlovic, Kristen Houska, Tyler Williams EXTENSION ASSOCIATES Soni Cochran, Mary Jane Frogge, Kristin Geisert, Dana Hardy, Becky Schuerman, Jim Wies EXTENSION ASSISTANTS RECIPE OF THE MONTH Kyleah Bowder, Calvin DeVries, Courtney Eitzmann, Kayla Colgrove, MS, RDN, ACSM-CPT, Extension Educator, Lancaster Co.