4-H teaches horsemanship

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Many children dream of riding a horse long before they think about getting a driver's license, but most accomplish the latter and may never enjoy the former.

Dreams, however, can come true with the help of dozens of volunteer horse lovers passing on their knowledge through the 4-H horse program. And if a youngster doesn't have a horse yet, there's the horseless horse program.

A 4-H club is not the place to sign up, however, if competitive riding is the number one goal.

"Character development and personal development are more important to us than winning a competition," said Larimer County Extension agent Ernie Marx, who coordinates the 4-H horse program. "We'd rather have a blue ribbon kid than a blue ribbon project."

Horses are one of many projects a young person can do in 4-H; through a club, the member also learns about community service, public speaking, budgeting, project recordkeeping, citizenship and teamwork.

"We teach life skills here," said Gary Small, an extension agent for 4-H. The county has about 1,250 youth in all 4-H programs.

"They get to meet other kids interested in the same thing," Marx added. New members may join year-round, but they must enroll by April 30 to participate in this year's county fair.

About 200 youth are involved in the Larimer County 4-H horse program, with another 40 in the horseless program.

The horseless program helps young people learn about careers in the horse industry, Small said. They learn about equine anatomy and different breeds and often take field trips to stables where they can work with horses.

To be in the traditional horse program, a young person must own or lease a horse and keep track of its costs throughout the year. Sue Eckberg, a leader for the Jolly Ridge 4-H Club, noted that horses are an expensive project.

"Buying the horse is the cheap part," she said.

Caring for a horse includes feed, vet bills, tack, shoeing and stable costs if boarding away from home, to name some of the expenses.

The advantage of learning to ride with a 4-H club is the emphasis on safety for both riders and the animals, Marx said. Specific methods of training are developed at the club level by the volunteer leaders. There are also opportunities for educational clinics, horse shows and fun competitions. Boxelder Trails 4-H Club, for example, holds an annual costume contest around Halloween. Everyone wins at this event.

"We encourage people to check out the various clubs and find the best match for them," Marx said. Some of the clubs are based at boarding stables.

Kaitlyn Willis, 15, of Fort Collins joined the Jolly Ridge Club a few months ago. "I've wanted a horse for a long time," she said. "I'm just here to have fun. I don't care if I win or not."

Gloria Willis said the camaraderie with other girls her daughter's age is another benefit. "Everyone helps each other," Kaitlyn added.

"We want everyone to feel welcome, not just the high performers," Marx said.

To that end, the 4-H program has added a novice level at the county fair in August. As a walking and trotting event, it will allow newcomers of all ages to better demonstrate the skills they have learned to date.

"Not everybody starts learning to ride at a young age," Eckberg of the Jolly Ridge Club explained. Participating at the county fair at an appropriate skill level rather than age level will be a more positive experience, she said.

"We're trying to direct the program so it's more beginner friendly," Marx added.

To find out what 4-H clubs have horse programs, youth or parents should call the extension office at 498-6000.