4-H MEMBER MANUAL TRAINING HORSES Yearlings to Five–Year–Olds COOPERATIVE EXTENSION EM4714 WASHINGTON 4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT POLICY ON PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR IN THE 4-H EQUINE PROGRAM “All Washington 4-H youth participating in all equine projects and activities must wear American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM)/Safety Engineering Institute (SEI) approved headgear when riding or driving. The headgear must have a chin strap and be fitted properly.” Additionally, we strongly encourage all equestrians (including adults) to wear headgear at all times when riding or working around horses. 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Training Horses........................................................................................................................................ 4 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Project .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Selecting a Horse ................................................................................................................................. 4 Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Guidance ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Veterinarian and Farrier ................................................................................................................. 5 Horse Study ................................................................................................................................... 5 Horse Psychology .......................................................................................................................... 5 Fitting the Horse for Showing at Halter .............................................................................................. 8 Equipment............................................................................................................................................ 9 Headgear ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Types of Martingales and Tiedowns ............................................................................................ 10 Saddles ......................................................................................................................................... 11 The Yearling Year .................................................................................................................................. 14 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................... 14 Prerequisites ................................................................................................................................ 14 Condition and Type of Horse....................................................................................................... 14 Project Requirements................................................................................................................... 14 Equipment.................................................................................................................................... 14 Showing the Yearling................................................................................................................... 14 Suggested Judging Criteria .......................................................................................................... 16 Faults in Showing at Halter ......................................................................................................... 16 Preparation ......................................................................................................................................... 16 Halter Breaking............................................................................................................................ 16 Tying the Horse ........................................................................................................................... 16 Leading the Horse........................................................................................................................ 17 Backing the Horse ....................................................................................................................... 17 Teaching the Horse to Stand Square ............................................................................................ 17 Picking Up the Horse’s Feet ........................................................................................................ 18 The Two-Year-Old Horse Under Saddle .............................................................................................. 19 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................... 19 Type of Horse .............................................................................................................................. 19 Project Requirements................................................................................................................... 19 Equipment.................................................................................................................................... 19 Instructions to Riders ................................................................................................................... 19 Working ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Faults of the Horse and Rider ...................................................................................................... 20 Preparation ......................................................................................................................................... 21 What to Know before Riding....................................................................................................... 21 Training the Two-Year-Old Horse ............................................................................................... 21 2 The Three-Year-Old .............................................................................................................................. 28 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................... 28 Type of Horse .............................................................................................................................. 28 Project Requirements................................................................................................................... 28 Equipment.................................................................................................................................... 28 Instructions to Riders ................................................................................................................... 28 Working ....................................................................................................................................... 29 Faults of the Horse and Rider ...................................................................................................... 29 Preparation ......................................................................................................................................... 30 Turning on the Forehand ............................................................................................................. 31 Turn on the Haunch ..................................................................................................................... 32 Leads............................................................................................................................................ 33 The Four-Year-Old ................................................................................................................................35 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................... 35 Type of Horse .............................................................................................................................. 35 Project Requirements................................................................................................................... 35 Equipment.................................................................................................................................... 35 Instructions to Riders ................................................................................................................... 35 Working ....................................................................................................................................... 36 Faults of the Horse and Rider ...................................................................................................... 37 Preparation ......................................................................................................................................... 37 Side Pass .....................................................................................................................................