Love-a-Horse Record Book

Name _____________________ Year __________ Age _________ Club _______________________ Years in Horse Project ________

This book was adapted from material found at: Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. (2005). 4-H Horse Reference Manual. Retrieved September 8, 2008. http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/4h7933.

Adapted material was compiled by University of Florida/IFAS/Brevard County Extension 2008.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, F.S., persons needing accommodations or an interpreter to participate in the proceeding should notify the University of Florida Brevard County Extension Service no later than 48 hours prior

to the meeting at 321-633-1702 or fax 321-633-1890.

Love-a-Horse Project Book

The beginning of the 4-H year is a good time to think about what you would like to do or learn in 4-H during the year. List your goals for the year and what you would need to do to accomplish your goals. Talk to your parents and leader to decide what goals are realistic to try and possibly finish this year. Good luck!

My Goals for the 4-H Year

1. This year I would like to learn:

I can best achieve this goal by:

2. This year in 4-H I plan to:

I can best achieve this goal by:

3. These are the skills I would like to learn and practice this year:

I can achieve this goal by:

Support Personnel

List any equine experts that are available to you and describe how they will help you with your project book and goals:

Great job! Now that you’ve set your goals, let’s have some fun.

My Fantasy Horse 4-H Project

As part of this project book, you will select a horse to be your fantasy project horse. You can pick any horse you like! Choose a breed you would like to study, a friend or family member’s horse, or one from a magazine. Throughout this book, you will answer questions about your horse. But first, tell us a little about your horse.

1. Give a description of your horse:

Breed Height Weight Age Color Markings

2. Why did you select this breed or horse? 3. Describe your horse’s training, and anything else you would like us to know about your horse.

2. Use a photograph, drawing, or picture from a magazine and paste it on this page. Unit 1: Horse Psychology

You can keep yourself safe and your horse happy by learning to read its behavioral cues. Since horses cannot talk with us, we have to try to understand their language.

Go to a barn or rent a movie about horses. Watch how they interact with one another. From your observation, write down what they do or how they look including ears, eyes, and body language when they are doing the following:

1. Asserting dominance:

2. Greeting one another:

3. Grooming themselves:

4. Sleeping:

5. Eating:

Why is it helpful to read a horse’s mood before approaching?

What things can you do or say to communicate with a horse?

Match the followings horses with the mood they are displaying: Aggressive, Sleepy, Worried, Attentive, Angry

Horse Psychology Word Search

G Z Y S N R O B B U T S L U R H N L T K C I K V A G H A L E D O I J I B M H F E U E N F D H I O N I S W I S H I N G E A R T S V R T O D E W W A U J E B I U T E A R I V T G H A L L S T O O H S E M R O O G G I E Q E M F M G W L A U G N E A I M P V P E F I E V C C I T T L H E A D Y J U S H H S R N A V B R A D E L F C S O R A Q S F V W O M S L B K U R I E J I Z O B S R A E A N X J A H C I J V W O O A M D G P V M E Y A L T A S T E S N P O C M M F U Y

HEARING SMELL TASTE SIGHT TOUCH SOUNDS BODY EARS HEAD MOUTH EYES

KICK TAIL SWISHING FEARS LEARNING LEADER REPETITION STUBBORN CURIOSITY HOOVES

Color this picture of a horse and trainer.

Using the information you learned in this lesson write how you think this horse is feeling, use his body language and describe what it means.

Unit 2: Parts of the Horse Label the parts of the horse:

Pole Hoof Point of Buttock Fetlock Shoulder Knee Hock Throat Latch Muzzle Cannon Bone Withers Loin Forearm Stifle Croup Back Chest Gaskin Pastern Barrel

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ True or False:

1. Horses were designed to graze 10-12 hours a day. ____

2. The hindquarters carry a higher percentage of the weight of a horse than the front legs. ____

3. Horses only have one set of teeth in their lifetime. ____

4. Muscles are the largest tissue mass in the horse’s body. ____

5. The hoof wall is of even thickness around the foot. ____

6. Bones, ligaments and tendons together affect the horse’s ability to

move and to prevent injury. ____

If possible observe a farrier trimming/shoeing a horse and write about what you saw. If you are not able to watch a farrier work find a book or use an internet source and read about what farriers do when working on horses’ hooves and write about what you learned.

Explain how a horse’s teeth are similar to humans and how they are different.

Draw a picture of a horse’s permanent tooth and a baby tooth.

Unit 3: Nutrition

Take a trip to your local feed store and research the different types of horse feed available. Document the following for 3 types of horse feed and 3 types of hay. Feed #1 Feed #2 Feed #3 Name _______ _______ _______ Cost _______ _______ _______ %Protein _______ _______ _______ Hay #1 Hay #2 Hay #3 Name _______ _______ _______ Cost _______ _______ _______ Why should you not feed moldy hay to your horse?

Make a feeding schedule for your fantasy horse. Be sure to note when and how much you will feed it. Be sure to note any additional nutrients/supplements you will provide.

Based on your schedule above and the cost of feed and hay that you found at the feed store try to estimate how much it will cost to feed your fantasy horse per month. Talk with the feed store personnel to get information on your type of horse and what it needs. Feed _______ X 30days / 50 lbs __________ = _______

Hay _______ X _______ = _______

Total feed cost per month: _________ Fill in the blanks:

1. Hay can be broken into two categories: _________________ and ______________.

2. Feed can be divided into four main types of essential nutrients:

_________________, _________________, _________________ and _________________.

3. _________ __________ is when a horse grabs at the feed and swallows

without adequately chewing.

4. Make no ____________ changes in the type of food or feeding routine for your horse.

Number of bales of hay per month

Cost of a bale of hay

Cost of hay per month

Pounds of feed per day

Cost of a 50lb bag of feed

Cost of feed per month

Nutrition Word Search E K T C O A S T A L J S F E S C F C V V A L F A L F A K V F A M I N E R A L S G J N U J A R R M C R X R Q P Z O L W F V B R M C P Y T Y R I E R A L I O B F N D H G U T G I E T P T H D P O H R Z I A C S S E A A Y L N Q E B R R E E C A R L M D M Z N U T O D V R J L S A I R Q E P U F K A C C S T T T N A Q Q N N H E G I T N V O A S T P K A T H A T A V G R M B K E R R E C B U O S I M Q A L W U B E J J Y W E T H V W C E J P T B P R O T E I N N C H G D ALFALFA BRAN CARBOHYDRATE COASTAL ENERGY FORAGE HEAVES MINERALS NUTRITION OATS PALATABLE PROTEIN SALT STOMACH TEETH VITAMINS WATER

Color this picture:

Unit 4: Health and Disease

As a horse owner, it is your responsibility to maintain the good health of your horse. A healthy horse will be ready and able to work for you. A horse requires regular care and management. Let’s review some of what you learned about caring for the health of your horse. On the chart below, determine what you need to do for your horse and how often. Fill in the chart using the words in the following paragraph. If you need help, check out a book from the library; ask a veterinarian, or other horse expert. A list of things to do for your horse: feed, fresh water, groom, clean feed container, clean water container, muck stall, new bedding, new shoes, vaccinations, float teeth, worm horse, trim hoofs, pick hoofs, bath horse, exercise horse, fly spray.

Daily

Monthly

Yearly

Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your horse healthy and protected from disease. Name 2 diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.

Design a vaccination schedule for horse, include which ones he will need and how often (some are given once a year and some every 6 months).

A regular worming schedule will help maintain proper health for your horse. List 3 signs of parasitic infection in your horse.

Knowing what is normal for a horse will help you determine when your horse is sick and needs a veterinarian. List 3 signs that show your horse is healthy.

Write the normal vital sign readings for an adult horse: Temperature Range Pulse Respiration

Your horse will show you when he sick. List 3 signs of an unhealthy horse:

Colic is a life-threatening illness for your horse. A quick response from you is essential. Describe the signs of colic in a horse. List as many as you can.

It is a good idea to keep a well stocked first aid kit specifically designed for horses in your barn and trailer. You can build the kit yourself and store it in a plastic tub with a tight fitting lid. What would you keep in your first aid kit?

Unit 5: Facilities

Horses have basic needs just like their owners. They need a safe place to protect them from the weather, plenty of clean water, and quality food to eat. Describe the facilities you will use to house and care for your horse:

List 3 things you can do to keep your barn safe for horses:

List 3 things that would make your pasture unsafe for your horse:

What types of building materials make good fences for horse?

Visit a boarding facility or training barn. Look at the layout for all the things covered in your lesson. See if you can answer these questions. How is the manure removed and stored? Where is it stored?

What type of shelter is provided for the horses?

What material is used to make the fences?

Does the facility store hay and feed separate from the horse barn?

Using the safety charts from this unit, how many safety hazards can you find?

How would you correct these safety hazards in your barn?

Now draw your farm or training center layout. You can include a pasture area, stable, paddock, round pen, riding arena, tack room, feed room, or whatever else your horse may need. You may use a separate sheet of paper if needed.

Horse Facilities

L M O V E A S K H S O R S E B

W D A Q R O R C O T K C A T W

M N S N P N E O P O Q P N W C

Q E R Q U C D D X R M O S D V

P P H N I R E D U A G G D H F

P A S T U R E A G G Y A B Y N

Y E H N H J F P F E N C E S R

B N I H I F N G A W K H E E A

P T W T Z A S M F N P A S V B

G M L T P D R Y T E F A S K X

Q K D R R X B G Z X G I F D S

Y L W A Q F E Y S K Q W H T T

T I Z V W M Z M I B V O K I A

S A Z F U V J B K V C Y X A L

H P L K S F U B A W E B V J L

BARN FEEDERS FENCES GRAINS HAY HAZARDS MANURE PADDOCK PASTURE PEN SAFETY STALL STORAGE TACK Can you find the hidden message in the puzzle? _________ __ _________

Unit 6: Safety and Groundwork

Horses are large and powerful animals. It is important to follow safety procedures when working around horses. To be safe, you must remember your horse has a “flight” instinct when frightened, and blind spots. Using what you learned about safety, answer these questions by filling in the blank.

1. Before approaching your horse, _________ to avoid startling him.

2. When petting your horse, don’t first reach for his nose. Instead, reach for his neck because the nose is a _______ ________.

3. To stay out of kicking range, work near the ___________ and the ____ of

your horse so that you will not be kicked.

4. Be calm and confident around your horse. If you are nervous, your horse will ___ _________.

5. When leading a horse, it is best to walk ________ the horse.

6. A horse can not see things that are directly in ________ and ________ of

him. Give 3 safety rules for working with horses:

Why is it important to wear safety equipment around horses?

What type of safety equipment should you wear around horses?

What other activities require safety equipment to be worn to participate?

When you tie your horse, what type of knot should you use?

Practice this knot and demonstrate it for your leader. These kids need to learn safety. Look at the picture below. Write the things they are doing wrong.

Answer these questions T for true or F for false:

1. You can avoid an accident around your horse if you follow all the safety rules. __

2. If you horse rears while being lead, you should pull back as hard as you can. __

3. You should wear a helmet every time, every ride. __ 4. If you are in a hurry, it is OK to tie your horse with its bridle. __ 5. Cross-ties are a good way to secure your horse. __ 6. It is OK to leave a halter on your horse in the pasture. __ 7. When tying your horse, be sure to us a quick release knot. __ 8. The best way to avoid accidents is by practicing safe management

procedures. __ Color the picture:

Unit 7: Horse Identification Answer these statements as T for true and F for false:

1. A dam is a foal’s female parent. __

2. A horse up to 2 years of age is called a weanling. __

3. A gelding can produce foals. __

4. When measuring a horse, 1 hand is equal to 4 inches. __

5. A bay horse has a black mane and tail. __

6. The horse has overo markings if the white markings cross over the

horse’s back. __

Write the history, and characteristics of the breed you chose as your project horse. You may use any reference materials.

Give an example of a breed for the following horse types: Draft Horse

Pony

Sport Type

Saddle Type

Draw a line and match the markings:

Snip Bald Distal Spots Blaze Half Pastern Coronet Star Heel

Color the horses: Bay Chestnut Palomino

Breeds of Horses

T H O R O U G H B R E D A D B

O G E I G M S K B O A P U O E

F S E N O J O R N N P X Q O L

E W S R O B H I X A L I F L G

I S G C Z R F N L M C G H B I

N A R Z L O E O R A O M P M A

N D H O S Y O H E W A N G R N

N D A A H S D R C B T N I A P

E L P R A R K E J R H C C W C

R E K L A W E E S S E N N E T

R B R U O B X T F D V P Z I D

Q R Z J H P I Z R Y A X X Z M

W E O M W L T A N A B L Y F L

O D S H E T L A N D U Y E C J

A R A M E N N O C I N Q A C A

APPALOOSA ARABIAN BELGIAN CLYDESDALE CONNEMARA MORGAN PAINT PASOFINO PERCHERON QUARTERHORSE SADDLEBRED SHETLAND TENNESSEEWALKER THOROUGHBRED WARMBLOOD

Pictures

Pictures

Activities Record participation in any horse public speaking, horse demonstration, horse judging competitions, County Events, District Events, or fair exhibit. Date

Activity

Level of Competition

(County, Area, or State)

Placing or Award

Record participation in any clinics, field trips, horsemanship camps, meetings, club speeches, or club demonstrations. Date Activity What I Learned If you run out of room, you may continue on a separate piece of paper, or ask your leader for another copy of this page.

4-H Volunteer Hours List your volunteer hours at 4-H sponsored events, including horse shows, fundraising, arena clean up, etc. Date 4-H Activity Hours

Community Service Activities Date Community Activity Hours

If you run out of room, you can continue on another piece of paper or ask your leader for another copy of this page.

What I Learned in 4-H this Year This section is to be completed at the end of the 4-H year. Look back at the goals you made at the beginning of the year. How well did you meet those goals?

Goal How Well I Met My Goal

What I Learned (cont) Take some time to think about what you learned this year. Did you learn something you never knew about horses? Record those new things you learned and share them with a friend or family member.

Through participation in 4-H you can learn many new skills, like public speaking, giving demonstrations, making a poster for the fair. What new skills did you learn or practice this year?

Did you take any riding lessons this year? If yes, tell us what you learned and are practicing.

What I Learned (cont) Did you hold an office in your 4-H club this year? If yes, which office did you hold? What did you learn from holding an office?

Signature Page Periodically your leader will check your progress in this record book. Please bring your book to every club meeting. By signing below, I am stating that I have reviewed this record book with the 4-H member for accuracy and completeness to date.

Club Leader Signature Date

End of Year Signatures By signing below, I am starting that I have completed this record book myself.

4-H Member Signature Date By signing below, I am stating that I am familiar with this work and, to the best of my knowledge, the member completed this record book and the information included in it is correct.

Title Signature Date Parent Club Leader