Letcher County 4-H youth that are in horse club have an absolute blast. The youth that have been with the Letcher Loppers since starting back in 2019 are now mentoring the young youth that have joined this year in 2021. Letcher County has three that are certified leaders in horse club and three other volunteers that are very dedicated and help with horse club weekly and a partnership has been made with the farm at The Stables at Creekside Glen.   This has created some great youth adult mentorship and older youth to younger youth mentoring. The club started in September of 2019 with fifty registered 4-Hers and by May of 2019 Letcher County had youth to compete in the district horse show and then on to the state horse show. The club at the first meeting of the month has a business meeting with the educational program related to equine health, care, and safety. The second meeting of the month focuses on the training and riding component along with the safety and care that was taught at the first meeting of the month. The group has such wide age ranges from 9-19 mostly females with 45 females and 5 males. Not all the members own a horse they use a horse at the Stables, and they can adopt that horse for the season. This allows the youth to see if they are ready for the commitment of their own horse. Some of the youths do not have the land, barn, or equipment that it takes to have a horse, so this gives them the opportunity to create a bond a horse and fulfill the passion that they have for equine without owning a horse. Right now, all members that ride at The Stables at Creekside Glen are riding in speed events barrels, poles, flags, steak races. Having a horse program in Letcher County has allowed youth too:

 * Develop leadership, initiative, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and other desirable traits of character.

 * Experience the pride of working with a horse.

* Be prepared for citizenship responsibilities through working in groups and supporting horses.