Class Title: Basic Horsemanship LESSON : #1 SIZE: 4/18

(min/max)
GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
Goal:
Campers will be introduced to each other.
Campers will become familiar with facility and rules.
Campers will be introduced to voluntary project book that they have a chance to
complete for 4-H.
Campers will learn different breeds of horses as well as colors of horses.
Campers will be taught the proper grooming techniques for horse care.
Objectives:
A name game will be used to teach campers each others names.
Safety rules will be addressed by engaging campers to think about what the rules might
be.
A Virginia Cooperative Extension approved 4-H project book will be shown to the
campers as a voluntary completion for the class at no charge to them.
A tour will be given of the barn to show campers how our facility works as well as safety
rules at certain points.
By incorporating coloring in the project book and a slide show, campers will learn
breeds and colors of horses.
Through a series of stations set up by instructors, campers will have the opportunity to
observe and practice grooming using different brushes.
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Campers will drink water while entering barn and proceed to barn classroom where a teen will
take role.
A name game will be played to get to know each other.
The campers will be asked to think of safety rules, write it down, and discuss with class.
The project books will be discussed with campers as a voluntary assignment that they can
complete and have put into their 4-H project records.
The class will be split into 3 groups to go with one instructor to tour the barn.
The class will proceed back to classroom to learn about breeds and colors of horses.
There will be 3 separate horse-grooming stations for the campers to learn and practice
grooming a horse individually.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 45-55 minutes
SAFETY CONCERNS / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
Ensure adequate hydration for everyone including horses.
Ensure campers are wearing appropriate attire. (i.e. closed toed shoes, long pants)
Maintain vision of all campers at all times.
Enforce safety rules while campers are in the barn.
Check first aid kit before each class week.
Make sure campers know what to do in an emergency situation (i.e. person falls off, horse gets
out).
MATERIALS / SUPPLIES / EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Horses
Roster
3 sets of grooming kits
Water cooler with cups
Project books
Pictures of different breeds
Coloring utensils
 Notecards
Tacks
CAMPER ELIGIBILITY:
Campers that have signed the equine release waiver are eligible to participate in all
horsemanship activities.
No prior knowledge of horses is needed to take this class.
INSTRUCTOR ELIGIBILITY: SUPERVISION REQUIRED:
Instructors will be First Aid/CPR certified and will Instructors will be First Aid/CPR
have a basic knowledge of horse care and riding certified and will have a basic
where they can teach effectively. knowledge of horse care and riding
where they can teach effectively.
Ratio approximately 1:6
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: When time allows, campers will be introduced to more horse care points
such as stall cleaning, horse bathing, tack cleaning as well as basic anatomy of body parts such as the
hoof.
BACK-UP PLAN: The class will proceed inside the barn as weather allows and if weather is too bad, we
will proceed to another building for class.
ASSESSMENT: By combining the project book with the character counts pillars, campers will be asked
a series of questions as to what they were taught and why it is important to know these lessons.
RESOURCES/CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPERS: The barn allows for adequate
space for these campers to learn basic horse care techniques as well as learning different breeds.

TARGETED SOLs TARGETED LIFE SKILLS TARGETED PILLAR(S) OF

(According to the Virginia (From the Targeting Life Skills Model) CHARACTER
Standards of Learning) (See Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook)

Personal Safety, Self- Caring, Citizenship,

responsibility, Self- esteem, Respect
Communication
Class Title: Basic Horsemanship LESSON : #2 SIZE: 4/18
(min/max)
GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
Goals:
Campers will learn what an English saddle is and the basic parts of it.
Campers will learn how to ride in an English saddle.
Campers will learn responsibilities that accompany the barn such as feeding and stall
maintenance.
Objectives:
In the classroom, a saddle will be out to show the campers different parts of the saddle
The class will be split into 2 groups where one will stay in the barn and the other will go
to the arena.
In the arena, the campers will learn how to mount, dismount, and guide a horse through
obstacles.
In the barn, campers will learn about day-to-day chores of a barn and what it takes to
care for a horse as well as different types of feed to fill out into project books
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Campers will enter the barn, drink water, and proceed to classroom where a teen will be taking
role.
Instructors will review safety rules as well as lessons from previous day.
The project books will be discussed shortly to address questions.
English saddle will be brought out to teach a short lesson on the parts of the saddle
The class will be split into two groups to proceed to the barn or the arena
Arena
o Two instructors will give a brief lesson on how to mount, dismount, and guide a horse.
o Each camper will be given a chance to ride and practice these skills over obstacles
such as going through cones and over a pole.
Barn
o One instructor will go through different types of feed to fulfill the requirements of the
project book
o As time allows campers can learn about tack cleaning, stall maintenance, and horse
care.
The class will rotate stations so that every camper will get an opportunity to do all objectives.
At the end of the lesson, campers will meet at classroom to discuss what they learned.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 45-55 minutes
SAFETY CONCERNS / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
Before class begins, horses and tack will be checked over to ensure safety.
The arena will be checked for safety.
Helmets will be properly fitted and checked on all campers before they mount a horse.
All campers and horses will remain in sight of instructors at all times
Safety rules will be enforced as needed.
Campers will know what to do in an emergency situation (i.e. spooky horse)
MATERIALS / SUPPLIES / EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Horses
Roster
Helmets
English saddles
Bridles
Saddle pads
Girths
Shovels
 Wheel barrel
Pitch fork
Saddle rack
Project books
CAMPER ELIGIBILITY:
Campers that have signed the equine release waiver are eligible to participate in all
horsemanship activities.
No prior knowledge of horses is needed to take this class.

INSTRUCTOR ELIGIBILITY: SUPERVISION REQUIRED:

Instructors will be First Aid/CPR certified and will Instructors will be First Aid/CPR
have a basic knowledge of horse care and riding certified and will have a basic
where they can teach effectively. knowledge of horse care and riding
where they can teach effectively.
Ratio will be approximately 1:6
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: As time allows, the advanced campers can be given a more challenging
experience riding by laying out more difficult obstacles as well as introducing other movements such as
circles while the beginner campers can continue practicing basic objectives
BACK-UP PLAN: The riding will be moved to the barn and the class will be in the classroom where the
class will continue as planned while making adjustments as needed. If weather worsens, classes will be
moved to other building
ASSESSMENT: By combining the project book with the character counts pillars, campers will be asked
a series of questions as to what they were taught and why it is important to know these lessons.
RESOURCES/CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPERS: A ramp is available to campers
with special needs so that they can participate in riding as well and they can still participate in horse care
techniques being taught as allows.

TARGETED SOLs TARGETED LIFE SKILLS TARGETED PILLAR(S) OF

(According to the Virginia (From the Targeting Life Skills Model) CHARACTER
Standards of Learning) (See Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook)

Self- esteem, perseverance, Trustworthiness,

leadership, respect, courage Responsibility, Fairness,
Citizenship
Class Title: Basic Horsemanship LESSON : #3 SIZE: 4/18
(min/max)
GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
Goals:
Campers will learn about a western saddle, parts, and compare the different saddles.
Campers will learn how to ride in a western saddle and participate in a trail ride up to
far point.
Campers will learn about washing a horse, finish project books, and do an arts and
crafts session.
LESSON DESCRIPTION:
Campers will enter the barn, drink water, and proceed to classroom where a teen will be taking
role.
Instructors will review safety rules as well as lessons from previous day.
The project books will be discussed shortly to address questions.
A western saddle will be brought out to discuss parts and the differences between it and an
English saddle.
The class will be split up into three groups where one will go out on the trail to ride and the
other will stay in the classroom and the other will go to the wash stall.
Trail
o One instructor will review how to mount, dismount, and guide a horse.
o Questions will be addressed from previous lesson on riding
o The campers will go as a group on a trail ride to far point and learn about trail safety
Classroom
o Campers will be given horse magazines and be asked to make a collage of their
favorite pictures or make a scene.
Wash stall
o Campers will learn how to properly wash a horse, safety measures, and the importance
of cleaning a horse.
The three groups will rotate to assure everyone has a chance to participate in each session
At the end, everyone will meet in the classroom and discuss what they learned in the class and
what their favorite part was.
LENGTH OF CLASS: 45-55 mintutes
SAFETY CONCERNS / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES:
Before class begins, horses and tack will be checked over to ensure safety.
The trail will be checked for safety.
Helmets will be properly fitted and checked on all campers before they mount a horse.
All campers and horses will remain in sight of instructors at all times
Safety rules will be enforced as needed.
Campers will know what to do in an emergency situation (i.e. spooky horse)

MATERIALS / SUPPLIES / EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

Horses
Roster
Western saddles
Saddles rack
Bridles
Helmets
Art supplies (glue, paper, etc.)
Wash station
Horse magazine
 Project books
CAMPER ELIGIBILITY:
Campers that have signed the equine release waiver are eligible to participate in all
horsemanship activities.
No prior knowledge of horses is needed to take this class.

INSTRUCTOR ELIGIBILITY: SUPERVISION REQUIRED:

Instructors will be First Aid/CPR certified and will Instructors will be First Aid/CPR
have a basic knowledge of horse care and riding certified and will have a basic
where they can teach effectively. knowledge of horse care and riding
where they can teach effectively.
Ratio will be approximately 1:6
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES: Campers will be given a chance to repeat any skills that they feel they would
like to do before the class ends

BACK-UP PLAN: The riding will be moved to the barn and the class will be in the classroom where the
class will continue as planned while making adjustments as needed. If weather worsens, classes will be
moved to other building
ASSESSMENT: By combining the project book with the character counts pillars, campers will be asked
a series of questions as to what they were taught and why it is important to know these lessons.
RESOURCES/CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CAMPERS: A ramp is available to campers
with special needs so that they can participate in riding as well and they can still participate in horse care
techniques being taught as allows.

TARGETED SOLs TARGETED LIFE SKILLS TARGETED PILLAR(S) OF

(According to the Virginia (From the Targeting Life Skills Model) CHARACTER
Standards of Learning) (See Virginia 4-H Camping Handbook)

Responsibility, Personal Fairness, Trustworthiness,

safety, Self-esteem, Creativity, Responsibility, Citizenship
Patience