4-H AND FFA YOUTH HORSE FIELD DAYS: BUILDING COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESS
Extension Education
JANET SCHMIDT
Retired County Director and 4-H Youth Educator
Washington State University Extension
Pullman
Abstract
\r\n In Southeast Washington and North Idaho, 30% of the youth enrolled in the 4-H program are enrolled in equine projects. With concerns over liability, personal safety, animal care, and youth desiring to improve their judging, riding and handling skills, there was a need to provide subject matter information to a diverse audience from a large geographic area. Youth Horse Field Days focused on providing knowledge and skills to youth, leaders and parents to insure safety and success in the equine project. During late winter, the field days were held in a central location in the region. Topics for the field days included: Horse Judging, Conformation and Oral reasons, Equine First Aid, Fitting & Showing, Western & English Pleasure, Stockseat & English Equitation, Trailer Safety, Horse Nutrition and Trail Horse, Reining and Dressage Demonstrations. Speakers for the field days included: professionals, extension staff, veterinarians, 4-H leaders, and WSU students. Registration was set at a nominal $5 per person and included lunch. The field days were well attended with audience size ranging from 20 to 100 participants. Each field day was evaluated using a retrospective evaluation. Knowledge gains were reported in judging, oral reasons, understanding the judge’s point of view, first aid, riding and handling skills, and health care. Participants rated the field days as an excellent opportunity to gain relevant knowledge, skills and competencies in the 4-H Equine Project. The Youth Field Day methodology has proven to be a very effective means of presenting relevant information to the 4-H Equine audience.
\r\n
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: J.L, Schmidt
-
Schmidt, J. County Director and 4-H Extension Educator, Washington State University Whitman County Extension, Washington, 99111