The Youth Horsemanship Courses are open to all youth ages 8-18 with an interest in learning more about horses. Youth do not need to be enrolled 4-H members to enroll in any of the online courses.
Digital Badges (New!)
Participants can now earn digital badges through the Horsemanship Courses! Each course offers a pathway badge. When all three courses are completed, participants can also earn a Mastery Level badge.
Online Course
Beginning Horseman: Level 1
The Beginning Horseman study course is intended for youth 8-18 years old with an interest in learning more about horses. The course will prepare youth for completing the Nebraska 4-H Advancement Level 1. This level is designed for youth who have little or no experience around horses. The course emphasizes correct and safe principles in handling, working around, and riding horses.
The course covers:
- Basic horse handling
- Horse safety, on the ground and/or while riding
- Bridling and saddling
- Riding courtesy
- Parts of the saddle and/or bridle
- Basic horsemanship
- Care and storage of saddle and bridle
- Basic horse feeding
- Daily grooming routine
$10
Enroll Now!ONLINE COURSE
Intermediate Horseman: Level 2
The Intermediate Horseman study course is intended for youth 8-18 years old with an interest in learning more about horses. The course will prepare them for completing the Nebraska 4-H Advancement Level 2. This level is designed for youth who have little experience around horses. The course emphasizes unsoundness and blemishes, basic horse nutrition, knot tying, and equipment.
The course covers:
- Equipment cleaning and inspection of the common wear locations
- Parts of the horse, colors, markings, unsoundness, and blemishes
- Various bits and their use
- Fitting and grooming for halter and/or showmanship at halter
- Presentation of a horse for showmanship at halter
- Hoof care and cleaning
- Knot tying
- Appropriate dress and equipment for different styles of riding
- Exercise to improve horsemanship skills and balance
$10
Enroll Now!ONLINE COURSE
Horseman: Level 3
The Horseman study course is intended for youth 8-18 years old with an interest in learning more about horses. The course will prepare them for completing the Nebraska 4-H Advancement Level 3. This level is designed for youth who have some experience around horses and want to advance those skills. The course emphasizes advanced riding maneuvers, nutrition, developing a feed chart, health, disease, parasite control, and development of a health care chart.
The course covers:
- In-depth look at a horse's feet and legs
- Footfall patterns
- Dental care and aging a horse by its teeth
- Digestive anatomy and nutrition
- Health - diseases and vaccination
- Health - parasite control and prevention
- Developing a feed and health care chart
- Equine reproduction
- Advanced horsemanship maneuvers
$10
Enroll Now!Program Contact
For questions about this program or the information on this page, please contact: