All Around Buckle Program Proposal

1. All Around Buckle Program Proposal Gem/Boise Counties 4-H Horse Project

2. What is the All Around Buckle Program? • Program focuses on individual member’s development • Emphasis on safety and education, not competition! • Planned progression of knowledge and horse handling and riding skills • 4-H member evaluated and completes one level before advancing to next level

3. What is the All Around Buckle Program? • Optional! • EVERY youth can participate • Youth may share horses

4. Objectives of Program • Develop life skills in youth • Promote cooperation and teamwork • Develop equine knowledge, horsemanship & safety skills • Recognize individual member accomplishment & achievement of goals • Educate youth, volunteers, & parents

5. Why are we doing this? • Enhance teamwork amongst youth and clubs • Key component of 4-H Horse Safety Program and Risk Assessment • Create a safe learning environment • Mitigate risk for our youth

6. Program Requirements • Components • Participation in Educational Contests • Equine Knowledge, Horse Handling and Horsemanship • 4 Levels – • Written exam and horsemanship skill tests for each level • Recognition and Award for completion of each level

7. Level 1 • ALL members MUST start at Level 1 • Emphasizes basic, correct and safe handling and riding • Beginners • Walk-trot only Examples: • Catch, halter, lead, tie, bridle, saddle • Stop, start, turn, circle • Emergency dismount

8. Level 2 • Builds a solid foundation of handling and horsemanship skills • Introduces use of proper aids • Introduces canter or lope and proper aids Examples: • Showmanship skills, bathing, clipping, etc. • Control of horse at canter or lope • Transitions - upward and downward • Begin lateral movements; leg yield, sidepass

9. Level 3 • Uses foundation skills to learn intermediate horsemanship skills • Rider expected to be balanced while using aids and maintaining an even pace • More advanced control and confidence Examples: • Lunge horse • Turns on forehand, hindquarter • More lateral movements; shoulder in, etc. • Counter canter

10. Level 4 • Advanced • Balanced horse and rider • Exhibit calmness, rhythm, suppleness, coordination Examples: • Understands trailer safety • Lengthening and shortening of gaits • 360 degree turns hindquarter, forequarter • Flying lead changes

11. Getting Started... • OPTIONAL! • County-wide • Could be used by: • Individual members • Project • Club

12. Next Steps… • Identify volunteer committee to plan and implement program • Identify at least 3 volunteers for testing • Identify one volunteer to coordinate records

13. Examiner Training • Level 1 - 2 Examiners: Screened 4-H volunteer Attend certification training (consistency in evaluation) Demonstrate ability to evaluate skills Approved by Horse Leaders Association

14. Level 1 - 2 Testing • 3 volunteers required for every test • Mix volunteers from different clubs • County sets testing dates – minimum of two test dates a year

15. Examiner Training • Level 3 - 4 Examiners: Screened 4-H volunteer Attend certification training Demonstrate ability to evaluate skills Must be approved by Horse Leaders Association Level 3 – 4 Examiners will train Level 1 – 2 Examiners

16. Level 3 - 4 Testing • 3 volunteers required for every test • Mix volunteers from different counties • County sets testing dates – minimum of two test dates a year

17. County Implementation • Committee meet to develop county plan • Develop financial plan to support program • Need consensus on what is successful skill completion • Set testing date(s) for Level 1, 2, and 3 • Allow at least 6 - 8 weeks from introduction to first testing

18. Introduce Members • Distribute Program Brochure • Member Packet • Information sheet • Member Skill Sheets • Reference list • Attend educational activities, clinics, riding events, Fair

19. How do 4-H members learn skills? • Practice skills at home • Local club meetings • Clinics, practice sessions, mock testing • Member, adult demonstrations • Use reference materials

20. Tips for success…. • Progression through these skills will vary for every horse and rider • No set time limits • Evaluations will be friendly & informative • No one fails! • Just need to practice and retest

21. Awards • Important to recognize member accomplishments! • Need to establish awards for completion of each level • Examples • Level 1 – T-shirt • Level 2 – Sweatshirt • Level 3 – Fleece Vest • Level 4 – Belt Buckle

22. In Summary…. • Program focuses on member development, not competition! • Emphasizes safety • Enhances existing projects • Ties into existing skills and project requirements

23. BACK-UP Slides

24. Level 1 Written ExamExamples of Questions • What is the average temperature for a horse? • What does BPM stand for? • What is the normal BPM for a horse at rest? • How many beats in a walk? trot? lope/canter? • When grooming a horse where should you start? • What is a normal gestation period for a horse? • Name 10 breeds of horses • Please label the horses body parts • Name these saddle parts: (have a picture of an english and western saddle with arrows and numbers) • Name these bridle parts: (have a picture of an english and western bridle with arrows and numbers) • When judging a horse name three desirable traits. • Define pigeoned toed • Define colic

25. Categories for Written Exam Questions Potential categories, but not limited to: Events Judging Vocabulary Veterinary Care Equipment Shoeing • Safety • Stable Management • Nutrition • Grooming • Anatomy • Breeds • Health