girl riding horse with kids standing at fence

4-H Equine Program

Horses

The New York State 4-H Horse Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension offers a wide variety of Horse projects to New York youth ages 5-19. It is our goal to bring exceptional, educational programming to youth throughout the State while keeping programs affordable for youth and families.

Our programs encourage both understanding and knowledge of the equine industry, as well as leadership and personal development through once in a lifetime experiences. These programs give youth opportunities that develop valuable life skills, increase confidence, and make valuable lifelong friendships and connections with each other and industry professionals. Youth interested in participating in 4-H horse events get the opportunity to learn horsemanship and equine science, not just riding and showing skills. 

The New York State 4-H Horse Program is strongly committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion in all of our programs to serve our communities. We are continually working to remain committed to actively creating and sustaining a culture of belonging that embraces a diverse program audience and volunteer base.

Check out the NYS 4-H Horse Facebook page

NYS 4-H Horse

Sign up for the NYS 4-H Horse Program Newsletter

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Support the 4-H Horse Program

NYS 4-H Horse Program Gift Fund
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Educational Events

girl riding horse with kids standing at fence

4-H Equine Show at the NYS Fair

two horses with sunflowers in hair

Other 4-H Animal Science Events

Girl with horse in stall
Advanced Equine Program

We are excited to announce the new statewide NYS 4-H Advanced Equine Program to the NYS Horse Program curriculum. This program was developed in hopes to create a bridge between the 4-H youth with equine interest and the Equine Industries in NYS. Participants will be expected to join monthly zoom meeting to meet with equine professionals on a certain topic, work independently on month projects, complete 10 hours of shadowing a professional in the equine field, and attend an end-of-the-year trip.

two horses touching noses
Horseback Riding Log Sheet

We are happy to start the NYS 4-H Horse Program Horseback Riding Log Sheet. This log sheet isn’t just for those NYS 4-H youth who ride, it is riding, driving, and groundwork as well. Print off the Horseback Riding Log Sheet and log your hours with your horse(s). Please use different sheets if you are working with more than one horse. This program will run from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Logs should be submitted to Jessica Tyson at jms943@cornell.edu by September 30, 2024. The top two Cloverbud, Junior and Senior youth with the highest documented hours will be selected for prizes from the NYS 4-H Horse Program!

Draft Horse
Creative Writing

The NYS 4-H Horse Program is happy to announce this new opportunity for youth. Check with your county educators for the creative writing guidelines and rules. The entry deadline is June 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please email Jessica Tyson at jms943@cornell.edu.

Rules, References and Forms

The exhibitor, upon request of the event sponsor, shall provide proof of ownership of any exhibit by completing and submitting the Equine Project/ID form below. This certificate verifies that a 4-H member in New York has enrolled this animal as a 4-H Project Animal by June 1 of the current year.

For all "non-owned" animals, the 4-H member and the owner of the animal have entered an agreement. A lease agreement allows a 4-H member to use the specified animal as a 4-H project. CCE encourages the use of written lease agreements; however, it is the responsibility of the exhibitor and the animal owner to agree upon the lease terms. Neither CCE nor Cornell University is legally involved in writing, implementing or terminating any lease agreements.

The following bill was legally adopted by the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, July 1987.

Exhibits shall have been owned by the exhibitor for a period of at least thirty days prior to the entry of the exhibit provided, however, that any animal exhibit entered in a youth fair, youth exhibition or 4-H show or exhibition shall have been in the care of the exhibitor for a period of at least sixty days prior to entry of the exhibit.

CCE staff and state program administrators have maintained the following philosophy since 1987.

Non-owner/lease opportunities are intended for youth who do not already own an animal of this type. For exhibition purposes, youth are limited to one non-owned breeding class animal of this type.

Specific for Equine:

The only approved NYS 4-H Horse Program exceptions are donkey, mule, miniature equine, and driving equine (used only for driving). A youth may own or lease an equine and also lease a donkey, mule, miniature equine, and driving equine (used only for driving), and vice versa (the youth may own a donkey, mule, miniature, or driving equine, and lease an equine for riding).

Available Materials

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NYS Horse Education and Advisory Committee

The NYS 4-H Horse Program is governed by the NYS Horse Education and Advisory Committee (HEAC), which is made up of CCE Educators, staff, and volunteers from the various regions throughout the state.

Additional Equine Resources

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For more information

Contact your local County CCE Association or Brieanna Hughes, NYS 4-H Equine Specialist, at bh548 [at] cornell.edu (bh548[at]cornell[dot]edu).