Situation: In a county where horses are used for pleasure and work, there has been a demand for a 4-H horse club.  Thankfully 2 volunteers stepped up and became certified horse leader this fall.  Target Audience:  youth ages 9 to 19  Educational Response: Because of the need for a 4-H horse club, 2 volunteers attended the horse leader certification this fall. One of the volunteers is a special needs young man.  A former 4-H member, he has a heart to give back to the organization.  The club is still in its infancy, but they have averaged 12-15 members at each meeting.  With the guidance of his co-leader (his mom), he has a variety of hands on learning opportunities prepared for each meeting.  Their goal is to provide at least 6 hours of education. One of the club’s service projects was and continues to be to assist a local riding facility, Equine Assisted Transitions.  The facility provides therapeutic service for persons with physical disabilities or special needs.  They feeds about 285 bales of hay per week. One bale of hay cost $5.00. The club collected $100.00 to purchase hay.  They have worked at the barn, mucking stalls and cleaning tack.  As the weather warms, more service projects are planned.  Plans are underway to attend the district horse clinic, begin a horse judging team and have field day working with horses.

Partner(s): 2 certified volunteers and 2 horse enthusiast to assist the club.  

Outcomes Process Short term (knowledge, skills, opinions, and aspirations): With the guidance of a dedicated leaders, the club is learning the 4-H’s, Head – learning by doing, Heart – empathy, Hands – working and completing service projects, Health – physical activity and emotional development.