Sean Moore
Colfax County Extension 4-H Agent
Why
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 Youth – Fun, Exciting, Love of Horses, Friends,
Competition, Family
“Kids participate because of fun….and stop
participating when it stops being fun. (Weiss, 2004)”
 Parents/Leaders – Fun, Exciting, Love of Horses,
Friends, Competition, Family, Have Success, Learn
to Learn, Have a Passion, Life Long Sport
Ultimately Why
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 Learn Life Skills –
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Responsibility
Discipline
Teamwork
Hardwork
Goal Setting
Self-Motivation
Self-Esteem
Healthy Living
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Managing Feelings
Self-Discipline
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Managing Stress
Planning/Organizing
Keeping records
Communication
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Cooperation
Character
Integrity
Social Skills
Critical Thinking
Resiliency
Marketable Skills
Nurturing
Unique Challenge

 Horse Project is Continuous or Year Round
 As a result we have the challenge of trying to prevent
burn-out with child and animal
First Step

Evaluate where Horse & Rider are at as a Team
Goal Setting 
 SMART = Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic
and Relevant to child, Time Sensitive
 Set goals that focus on something other than winning
and losing
 Communication (Rider & Trainer)
 Organizing/Planning
 Decision Making
Caring – Giving Nurturing

 Concern for something besides themselves
 Respect for their partner
 Are they in shape for what they are asking?
 Are they suited for the event they are choosing?
 Care, feed, exercise, grooming
 Nurturing through injury/illness
IN GROUPS
 Sharing, mentoring, leadership, conflict resolution
Relating - Belonging

 A positive relationship with a caring adult
 An inclusive environment
 Communication (Horse, Trainer, Family, Riding
Partners)
 A safe environment
 Adult role model
 Social Skills
 Cooperation
Character - Integrity

 “Teach youth to be internally rather than externally
motivated (Waite, 2008)”
 Self-responsibility
 Help young people learn to accept success &
FAILURE
 “Encourage riders to seek out and be energized by
Challenges (Waite, 2008)”
 Courage
 Sportsmanship
Work Ethic – Hard work
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 Opportunity for Mastery
 With Hard Work can attain goals
 Teamwork with Trainer, Horse, Riding Group
 Hopefully kids learn not to quit (resiliency)
 Self Motivation
 Marketable Skills
 Self Discipline
 Pride
Learning to Learn

 Problem Solving
 Critical Thinking
 Decision Making
 “Recognize and appreciate that everyone learns
differently…horses too! (Waite, 2008)”
 Audio
 Visual
 Kenisthetic
Confidence – Self-Esteem

 Success by reaching attainable goals
 Opportunity for Mastery-even if small or baby steps
 Independence
 Working on skills at home
 Opportunity for self determination
 “Deliver positive, specific, contingent feedback to
youth and horses (Waite, 2008)”
 Find or make more opportunities
Confidence – Self-Esteem
Continued

 If Parent & Coach (not always ideal) be Parent first
 Children need unconditional support from at least
one adult
 Recognize and talk up efforts of youth rather than
wins and losses, placings, or ribbons
Having Fun
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 The backbone of why kids choose horse project
 Make sure time to play and socialize
 Stress Management
 Do something different for horse & rider
 Managing Feelings
 Keep a perspective
References/Resources
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 www.myhorseuniversity.com
 Click on Resources, then webcasts, then archived
webcasts
 Edgette, Janet S., “Heads Up!”, 1996
 Breed Associations
 NMSU “Brand News” contact jlturner@nmsu.edu
 Other Universities