Success Story4-H Horse Club Provides Benefits to Youth During Pandemic



4-H Horse Club Provides Benefits to Youth During Pandemic

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Planning Unit: Todd County CES

Major Program: Agriculture

Plan of Work: Developing Marketable Skills in Ag, Science, and Natural Resources

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Todd County 4-H program offered arena riding and horse club activities to youth during the pandemic. Twenty-two youth attended 4 open riding days providing more than 6 hours at the Wild Brez Arena this year to experience horse educational activities, fun riding classes and team work through horses.  The pandemic was hard on kids mentally and physically, but the bond that develops between the horse and the child offers huge psychological benefits helping reduce anxiety and cope better emotionally.  Life experiences through horse back riding teach perseverance, how to deal with fear, as well as developing hard work.  This year's horse club meetings focused on fun, social skills, team work, confidence and horse knowledge.  An end of year focus group provided the following results:

100% met and interacted with new friends while at horse club. 

20% attended a horse show beyond the county club meetings due to an increase in confidence while riding

87% gained a sense of belonging to a club. 

99% gained an understanding of proper saddling, grooming and mounting horses.

77% learned about proper feeding and care of horses.  

The ability to ride and control a big horse can give a child a huge confidence boost and improve their self-esteem. Every little success, the praise they receive for achievements and the experience itself can be incredibly rewarding.  Riding can establish a lifelong passion for horses from simply being in close contact with the animals to grooming and learning about the care that the horse needs.






Stories by Lee Ann McCuiston


4-H Horse Club Provides Benefits to Youth During Pandemic

about 3 years ago by Lee Ann McCuiston

The Todd County 4-H program offered arena riding and horse club activities to youth during the pande... Read More


4-H Partners with the Migrant Program to Build Resiliency & Reduce Stress

about 3 years ago by Lee Ann McCuiston

Mental health, already a pressing issue for young people, has become an acute concern for millions i... Read More


Stories by Todd County CES


Cook Together, Eat Together

Cook Together, Eat Together

about 3 years ago by Jill Harris

It has been reported that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable con... Read More


The Power of Your Pantry

The Power of Your Pantry

about 4 years ago by Jill Harris

Early during the pandemic, many people found their grocery stores temporarily out of certain food pr... Read More


Stories by Agriculture


Garden Club Grows Healthier Nutrition Habits

Garden Club Grows Healthier Nutrition Habits

about 3 years ago by Tyrone Gentry

With the pandemic having people at home more than ever, there was a greater interest in learning gar... Read More


4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon

4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon

about 3 years ago by Kimberly Lane

Just like everything and everywhere else during the pandemic, the 4-H Livestock Skill-a-thon had to ... Read More