Watch Me Neigh Neigh 4-H Club
Pennsylvania 4-H horse programs promote knowledge of horsemanship and responsible, ethical equine use, care and management.
Participation in 4-H horse programs develops life skills in youth including leadership, responsibility, sportsmanship, teamwork, community service, and positive attitudes of self worth.
https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h/opportunities/projects/animal-science/horse/program-overview
814-863-3824 pa4h@psu.edu
Chestnut Hill Pony Club
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is an educational organization that builds the foundations of teamwork and sportsmanship through riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, while developing and enhancing leadership, confidence, responsibility, and a sense of community in its youth and adult members.
Horsemanship with respect to healthcare, nutrition, stable management, handling, and riding a mount safely, correctly and with confidence.
Organized teamwork, including cooperation, communication, responsibility, leadership, mentoring, teaching, and fostering a supportive, yet competitive, environment.
Respect for the horse and self through horsemanship, for land through land conservation, and for others through service and teamwork.
Service by providing an opportunity for members, parents, and others to support the Pony Club program locally, regionally, and nationally through volunteerism.
Education at an individual pace to achieve personal goals and expand knowledge through teaching others.
HorseSense Learning Levels
THE LEARNING LEVELS ARE BUILT AROUND A FEW CORE BELIEFS
Equine education should be SAFE, PROGRESSIVE, and FUN. Students should master each Level with the help of a well-trained horse and instructor.
While terminology may differ, good horsemanship is universal. Both our English and Western curriculums teach balanced seat riding, and students are exposed to elements of several different disciplines. The goal is to produce well-rounded, confident equestrians who can be comfortable in any barn and appreciate all that the horse world has to offer.
Learning how to ride a horse isn’t enough. Our generous four-legged partners are not sports equipment — they are complex living creatures with needs and feelings of their own. That means that equestrians have a responsibility to learn as much as they can about equine behavior, anatomy, daily care, conditioning, etc.
Riding is not the only way to enjoy horses. There are many wonderful, fulfilling activities that can take place on the ground and they are as equally valuable as time in the saddle. Students can earn ribbons through the HorseSense and HorseCentered curriculums regardless of their desire or ability to ride.
TOP 10 REASONS TO USE A LEVELS-BASED CURRICULUM IN A LESSON PROGRAM:
Using a checklist of objectives makes it easy to track and chart student progress — even if you have multiple instructors teaching in your program.
Students and parents can easily see the progression of skills , including the prerequisites for higher-risk skills such as cantering, trail riding, and/or jumping.
Having clearly defined objectives encourages students to study and practice between lessons, and teaches them how to turn goals into action plans.
It makes it easy for you to plan lessons — especially once you have established lesson plans and teaching tools for each Level.
Students can easily be grouped by ability during lessons, camps, clinics. You can also use Levels to create additional requirements for showing, leasing, and boarding, ensuring your students are well-prepared for each activity.
You can assess new students with previous experience, and fill any gaps you may find in their education.
Students are motivated to complete and advance through Levels, increasing your client retention.
Students will have visible proof of their accomplishments to share with family and friends. These ribbons and certifcates double as free marketing for you — when students show off their achievements, they inspire prospective new equestrians to join the fun.
You can boost your revenue by creating leveraged activities based on your Levels program, such as Level Up clinics.
By providing a comprehensive educational program, you create well-rounded, knowledgeable riders, trainers and caretakers. Your horses will thank you!