4-H horse project

Animal health and biosecurity information (Google Doc) - Important to read. 

Get started with 4-H'ers in your area

• Find a club near you or contact your local 4-H office for more info.

Get started on your own

• Horse information sheet (posted Dec. 17, 2025) - Important to read.
• Horse Program Rule Book- Important to read.
• National 4-H horse activity books (for sale)
• Horse activity sheets from Utah State 4-H (free download)
• Horse and pony hot sheets from Iowa 4-H (free download)

Take your learning further

• Horse Science
• The Horse
• Horses and Horsemanship
• All about horse breeds (Oklahoma Extension)
• Ohio 4-H Animal Science - Horse
• Member Achievement Book

Horse Library

We have a lending library of more than 400 horse-related books and video recordings. It was established and built through funding from the Minnesota Horse Council, memorials and donations.

• Book List
• DVD list

How to order

1. Complete the library request form.
2. Email Michelle Brendemuhl at [email protected] before you order to find out if a book or video is available. Or, name at least one alternate book.
3. Mail your check and completed request form to:
   Minnesota 4-H Horse Library
   Attn: Michelle Brendemuhl
   2416 120th Ave N
   Moorhead, MN 56560

Costs

• Shipping: $3 (Rush orders: additional $2)
• Late fees: 60 cents per day per book, video or game

You do not need to be a member of 4-H to order. 

Contact

Michelle Brendemuhl at 701-866-6994 or [email protected]. 

Interlibrary loan

Search for a horse book in a library near you by using WorldCat.

With a current Minnesota library card, you can use interlibrary loan to get books from farther away using MNLINK. Find this search engine on your local library's website or MNLINK Gateway: Basic Search.

Search hints: an ISBN (international standard book number) search works best. Ask for help at your local library.

Deepen your project learning with these opportunities.

Join the 4-H Horse Project Development Committee (PDC) 

This is a leadership opportunity for 4-H members in grade 9 and up. Represent your fellow 4-H'ers on the PDC, serving with adult volunteers. 

What you'll do

• Oversee the program for the benefit of all members
• Serve on a sub-committee, such as awards, marketing or judges training. 

How to apply

See complete details and apply on our 4-H Volunteer Resource Center Google Site.

Other opportunities

• Things you can do in 4-H without a horse
• Things you can do in 4-H with horses
• State and regional 4-H horse events
• 4-H scholarships and awards

Horse associations and groups

• Minnesota Horse Council
• Minnesota Horse Expo
• Minnesota Trail Riders Association
• Arabian Horse Association
• Morgan Horse Association
• National Extension website and resources
• US Equestrian Foundation
• American Quarter Horse Association(AQHA)
• American Saddlebred Horse Association(ASHA)
• Appaloosa Horse Club (ApHC)
• Pinto Horse Association (PtHA)

Horse project resources

• Horse project resources for volunteers
• Horse project development committee (PDC) resources
• Become a horse judge

To volunteer with 4-H in your area, contact your local 4-H office.

What does it mean to show at the fair and showcase events?

For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show) are not just fun events. They provide youth opportunities to exhibit the knowledge and skills they've gained throughout the year — and to continue their learning.

County fairs 

You can take a horse project to the county fair. Check with your local 4-H office to sign up.

Minnesota 4-H State Horse Show

If you do well at the county fair, you might qualify for the state horse show. See the Horse Program Rule Book for details and how a judge is completing their evaluation of an exhibit.

Important to know

• Horse information sheet (posted Dec. 17, 2025)
• Horse Program Rule Book
• AnSci updates for 2026 (posted Dec. 17, 2025)
• 4-H animal ID page for all requirements and processes
• 2026 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Identification Requirements
• Cloverbuds and animals
• 4-H involvement in Western Saddle Club Association shows
• Helmet policy

Record keeping and evaluation

• 4-H youth record keeping — reflect on your project and what you've learned.

Find a judge for your 4-H horse event

Your local 4-H office can provide a copy of the certified judges directory. 

Exhibit your horse

See the Horse Program Rule Book for full details. Contact your local 4-H office for sign-up deadlines and more info about how to get started showing in these categories:

Riders with disabilities may compete in many categories. See the Horse Program Rule Book for details.

Exhibit your knowledge

Exhibit what you know about horses in these available opportunities:

• Horseless horse
• Horse-related

Interview

Answer questions about horse knowledge in a horse interview.

Display

Create a display, demonstration, poster or video about:

• Breeding
• Health and diseases
• Production (care and feeding)
• Other horse topics, such as biosecurity

Other exhibit opportunities

• Hippology Contest
• Horse Judging Contest
• Speech and Demonstration Contest

What is animal ID'ing?

Animal ID is a system for identifying and tracking all animals in the 4-H animal science project areas. It is important to follow the ID requirements to ensure health, safety and fairness. 

ID requirements by species and class - You must follow all of these requirements, whether you own or lease your animal.

Important ID deadlines

• Feb. 17, 2026, for market beef (beef steers, market heifers and dairy steers).
• May 15, 2026, for beef, dairy, dairy goat, dog, horse, llama - alpaca, meat goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine.

Find more information on the animal ID page.

Leasing program

We want you to be able to learn about animals, even if you don't own one. You can lease an animal. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience managing and showing animals, and you'll learn from caring adults. 

For full details, see the leasing a 4-H animal page.

The 4-H member or family must complete the 4-H animal identification process, just like owned animals. This will include verifying the leasing agreement. Read all about animal ID.