Maryland 4-H
Horsemanship Standards
Knowledge Level 3
Dr. Amy Burk
University of Maryland
Extension Horse Specialist
Kristen M. Wilson
University of Maryland
Extension Horse Specialist
Rev. 8/16/11
Knowledge Testing Schedule
1. Written Test
 Copies from County Extension Office
 Allow 45 minutes
2. Oral Practicum
 Cover information on the knowledge
testing sheet for each level
 Everything else covered on the written
test
Knowledge Level Sections
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Breeds, Conformation, Movement
Grooming and Bandaging
Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge
Nutrition
Stable Management and Safety
Tack and Equipment
Transportation and Travel Safety
Parts of Horse
Breed Types
Light Breed
Know different characteristics that
define breed type
Draft Breed
Coat Colors
 Variations of the gray
coat color- i.e. rose
gray, steel gray, dapple
gray, flea bitten gray
etc.
Front Leg Conformation
(Horses, 2000)
Hind Leg Conformation
(Horses, 2000)
Conformation Faults
Grooming
 Give reasons for clipping a horse, and
name and describe at least 3 types of
body clips that can be used
 Describe safety precautions for bathing
Trimming/Clipping for
Show
 Face hair
 Ears
 Bridle path
 Fetlock
 Coronet band
Body Clipping
 Body
 Hunter
 Trace
 Blanket
Bathing a Horse
 Never stand directly in
front or behind a horse
when bathing them
 Have the horse securely
and safely tied or have
someone hold them
 Keep the hose out from
under the horse’s feet
 Go slowly… don’t
surprise them!
Reasons for Bandaging
 Protection of the
legs, particularly
while riding or
trailering the horse
 Prevention of
swelling after the
horse works
 For treatment and
protection of
injuries
Protective Boots
Bell Boots
Splint Boots
Ankle Boots
Health/Veterinary Care
 Name and describe 1 type of wound and
how to treat it, especially those that need
veterinary attention
 Explain why a regular vaccination plan is
necessary and identify 3 diseases you
would vaccinate your horse against each
year
 Know signs that a hoof needs to be
trimmed
 Locate parts of the hoof
Equine Wounds
 Lacerations
 tearing of the skin, often require stitches
 Abrasions
 usually caused by rubbing, and will remove
the epidermis, not as serious
 Punctures
 deep, narrow wounds that are usually
caused by nails or splinters
Vaccinations
(Hill, 1997. Horse Health Care)
Vaccination Schedules
Hoof Care
Parts of the Hoof
Nutrition
 Basic rules for feeding
 Know how feeds are measured
(including units)
 Explain feeding schedule to include
amounts of roughage and concentrates
for a particular horse or pony
Basic Feeding Rules
1. Feeding horse’s properly takes knowledge of
their digestive anatomy and physiology
2. Feed small forage-based meals frequently
3. Avoid abrupt changes in feed
4. Avoid poor quality feeds and forages
5. Offer fresh clean water and trace mineral
salts at all times
Weighing Feeds
Important to
measure by
weight, not
volume!!
Types of Diets
Forage
Concentrate
Forage
 Very important for proper
digestion
 Types of hay:
 Legume
 Grass
 Mixed
 Horse will consume 1 ½ to 2%
of body weight per day
Common Hay Species
Timothy
Orchardgrass
Alfalfa
Concentrate
 Used to:
 Supplement and balance
nutrients in forages
 Supplement higher caloric
needs of working and
lactating horses
Stable Management and Safety
 Appropriate care of a horse after
strenuous work including: cooling out,
inspection of legs, watering and
feeding
 Proper stall sizes for a horse and pony
 Management practices to prevent the
spread of disease
 Safety concerns to consider when
attaching a hay net/bag
Care After Strenuous Exercise
• Horse should be
walked until all vital
signs are back to
normal
• Inspect legs for any
injuries
• Limit access to feed
and water
Stall Dimensions and Designs
 Horse: 12x12 feet
 Pony : 10x10 feet
 The stall should be free
of any sharp objects,
the doors should shut
securely, and no
electrical wiring should
be exposed
How to Tie a Hay Net
 The most important thing
to emphasize is that it
stays out of the way of the
horse’s feet
 It is run through a
mounted ring, and then
the excess tied up in a
quick release knot
Equine Disease Control Program
1. Optimize health and nutrition plans for
animals
2. Use rodent, parasite and vector control
programs throughout the year
3. Do not allow horse access to streams
and waterways
4. Contract with a veterinarian and clearly
post their contact information
Equine Disease Control Program
5. Communication is key
6. Limit human access to barns if they are
not clientele or workers
7. Clean and disinfect barns, stalls and
equipment regularly
8. Discard all manure and bedding from
stalls that house sick horses
Equine Disease Control Program
 Become familiar with common diseases
that affect horses
 Identify symptoms with the onset of a
disease
 Vaccination Plan
 Deworming Plan
Tack and Equipment
 2 areas on tack that should be
checked for safety
 Types of bits
 Identify a tie-down, breast strap,
martingale, and breastplate
 Types of blankets and their purposes
Unsafe Tack
http://www.newrider.com/Library/Misc_Tips/tack_safety.html
Horse Bits
Other Equipment
Martingale
Breast Plate
Tie-Down
Breast Strap
Horse Blankets
Proper Loading/Unloading
References and Resources
 Approved resources for state contests
 USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Basics for
Beginners through D Level, by S. E. Harris
 USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Intermediate
Horsemanship through C Level, by S. E. Harris
 USPC Manual of Horsemanship: The Advanced
Horsemanship Through A Level, by S. E. Harris