The horseless horse project gives youth in grades 3 and up who don’t have a horse the opportunity to learn about horses through educational, hands-on leadership opportunities.
In this project area, you will engage and explore horses in a variety of ways.
What can you do?
In the horseless horse project, you can learn:
- Sound breeding, feeding and management practices in horses.
- Basic principles of caring and training a horse to show.
- Careers in the horse industry.
Project information
Get started with 4-H'ers in your area
- Contact your local 4-H office for more info.
Get started on your own
- Look through the resources provided on the 4-H horse project page to learn more about horses and the horse industry.
- Use the Horseless Booklets to prepare for completing and exhibiting in the Horseless Horse Skills Class at your county or state 4-H horse show:
Project opportunities near you
Get in touch with your local 4-H office to learn about horseless horse project events and activities in your area.
Horseless horse project resources for volunteers
- County Horseless Horse Program Implementation Guide
- Find training, project development committees (PDCs) and more support for horse volunteers at the 4-H Volunteer Resource Center Google Site.
Interested in getting involved as a horseless horse project volunteer?
Contact your local 4-H office or learn more about volunteering in 4-H.
Fair information
What does it mean to show at showcases?
For 4-H'ers, local and state showcase events (like the county fair and 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.
Contact your local 4-H office for horseless horse project showcase opportunities near you.
Exhibit ideas
- Turn your learning into a general(non-livestock) exhibit under the horseless horse project. You will present your exhibit at the county fair during your county's 4-H general exhibit judging day.
- Some exhibit examples include but are not limited to, a poster, display, presentation, booklet or constructed project. The horseless horse exhibit can be anything related to the horse industry.
- If you are having trouble coming up with an exhibit idea for the county fair, talk to your parent or guardian, a horseless horse program leader or your local Extension educator for more information.
Horseless horse skills class
- Using a mentor's horse, you will showcase what you have learned in your current level of horseless horse.
- Each level will include a hands-on demonstration of groundwork skills and verbally answering knowledge-based questions.
- Use the Horseless Booklets to prepare for completing and exhibiting in the Horseless Horse Skills Class at your county or state 4-H horse show:
Reviewed in 2025