Youth Horse Activities

Pony Clubs

• Pony Clubs are structured programs teaching children and young adults up to age 25 how to ride and care for horses. Pony Clubs are open to any person under age 25 who owns a horse or pony. Some Pony Club chapters may have a minimum age limit. Some may require members to have trailering arrangements to bring their horse to Pony Club events. All members must wear helmets while riding.

  Pony Club activities may include horse shows, unmounted meetings to learn about horse care, gymkhanas, costume contests, trail rides and more. Parents are expected to volunteer to assist in club meetings. Parents who are horse-savvy will be asked to help with equestrian activities, while parents less knowledgeable about horses can chaperone social events or help with organization and administration of clubs.

4-H

• 4-H is a youth development program whose mission is best summarized by the 4-H pledge:

  "I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking,
  my Heart to greater loyalty,
  my Hands to larger service,
  and my Health to better living,
  for my club, my community, my country, and my world."

  All states have a 4-H horse program. This program generally involves purchasing or leasing a horse and training it for show. Sometimes local farmers and ranchers will assist 4-H students by donating horses or selling them cheaply for 4-H projects.

  Members who aren't able to buy or lease a horse can compete in unmounted activities. Many 4-H chapters organize hippology competitions to test members' knowledge of horses. Some chapters also have a horse judging team. Competitions involve 4-H members filling out scorecards for a number of horses and then comparing their judging to that of professionals. Other unmounted activities include model horse shows and educational display contests.

Horse Camps

• Horse day camps and overnight camps are a popular activity for young people who don't own their own horses. Horse camps offering riding for every age group and level of experience. Kids who've never ridden a horse can start at camp, while experienced equestrians can go to camp to refine their skills or learn a new discipline. Young horse owners can often bring their own horses to camp and take intensive lessons from professional instructors and trainers.

  If you're considering sending your child to horse camp, make sure that you've visited the camp and checked to see that safety procedures are followed. No child should ride without a safety helmet. All but the most experienced riders should be supervised by an adult at all times. The camp's horses should appear healthy and happy.