Horse and Pony

Website—http://www.tchorseandpony.com/

Email - tchorseandpony@gmail.com

Facebook –Tippecanoe County 4-H Horse and Pony

ALL 4-H MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A PROPERLY FITTED ASTM OR SEI STANDARD F1163 (OR ABOVE) CERTIFIED HELMET WHENEVER MOUNTED, OR DRIVING, AT A 4-H HORSE AND PONY EVENT, SHOW OR ACTIVITY. The 4-H member is responsible to see that this specified headgear is properly fitted with the approved harness fastened in place whenever mounted. Original tags must be present in all approved helmets. This policy will be in effect beginning with the 2003 program year and applies to all county, area and state 4-H horse and pony events, shows and activities.

Behavioral Expectations of 4H Members and all involved parties:

1. When enrolling in 4H enrollment online, all 4-H members and parents or guardians agree that they have read and agree to the terms set by Indiana 4-H. By agreeing to this statement during enrollment you are agreeing to the terms that are also listed in the Tippecanoe County 4- H Horse and Pony rules prior to participating in any activity.

2. 4-H members, leaders, parents, and the public, when participating or acting on behalf of the 4-H program, are expected to conduct themselves according to the accepted standards of social behavior, to respect the rights of others, and to refrain from any conduct that may be injurious to the 4-H program. The following actions constitute misconduct for which persons may be subject to disciplinary penalties: Dishonesty connected with any 4-H activity by cheating or knowingly furnishing false information. Alteration or the unauthorized use of 4-H records, obstruction or disruption of any 4-H activity or aiding and encouraging other persons to engage in such conduct. Failure to comply or aiding or encouraging other persons not to comply with specific rules of a project, contest, or activity. Failure to comply with directions of 4-H officials acting in the proper performance of their duties. Inhumane treatment of 4-H animal projects.

3. No form of harassment will be tolerated. Harassment is defined as unwelcome or offensive treatment, behavior or conduct (whether verbal, physical, psychological, or visual) that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual based on that individual’s protected status, and that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile or abusive. Offensive conduct includes, but is not limited to: bullying, offensive jokes, epithets, slurs, swearing, name-calling, physical assault or threats, intimidation, insults, ridicule, mockery, manipulation of the individual’s reputation by rumor, or gossip.

4. Clinic Expectations - Participants and spectators (4-H members and their families will be respectful at all times towards the clinician when participating in clinics. When participating in a Tippecanoe County Horse & Pony sponsored event (includes, but not limited to clinics, meetings, open shows), it is expected that all 4-H members, their families, and/or spectators be respectful to clinician, board members, judges, and 4-H volunteers. Failure to follow expectations may result in points not being awarded. 

EXHIBIT OPTIONS

Exhibit Options: Members may choose to exhibit any combination of live animals, a poster and\or present a Project Interact detailing some aspect of the project.   The poster and Project Interact options may be in place of or in addition to the live animal exhibit.   For information on Animal Posters please see the guidelines under the Animal Education project section of this handbook.  Poster projects are entered during pre-fair judging weeks.  Please refer to the pre-fair schedule for specific dates and times for Animal Education check-in.  Members wishing to give a Project Interact are to setup a suitable time with the project superintendent(s).

All 4-H HORSE AND PONY FORMS WILL BE COMPLETED ONLINE. This includes 4H online enrollment, Horse & Pony enrollment and Project /Fair entry (Show bill) completed ONLINE through www.in.4honline.com Online will include enrollment form and photographs. LEASE FORMS, LIABILITY WAIVERS AND ANIMAL LOCATION FORMS will be turned in electronically. ALL ARE DUE MAY 15. All 4-H H&P members must submit a location form each year. All forms must be completed by the set deadlines in order to bring horse(s) to the fair including but not limited to 4H online enrollment, Animal ID, Fair entry, and the fair showbill. Failure to do so could result in horse not being able to show at the county fair. Registration papers for registered horses should be available to Horse and Pony Board members upon request.

MEASURING

MEASURING

1. Any horse (over 56 inches) or pony (56 inches and under) that has previously been measured by the Tippecanoe County Horse and Pony Board does not require remeasurement in the current year unless the owner requests the animal to be re-measured. New enrolled ponies will be measured at fair check-in of fair.

2. Any horse or pony five years of age or older that was officially measured by the County Horse and Pony Board does not require remeasurement unless the owner requests a new measurement.

3. Any horse or pony that was officially measured unshod by the County Horse and Pony Board and the animal is to be shown shod in the current year will have one-fourth (1/4) inch added to the measurement of the animal unless the owner requests a new measurement of the shod animal.

4. The Horse and Pony Board reserves the right to measure any animal in question.

COUNTY HORSE & PONY RULES

1. A club member must do his/her own work—emphasize the “learn- by-doing” concept. 4-H Members must enroll in the Horse & Pony Project before January 15. The Horse & Pony feed record sheet and project manual are no longer required, but may be completed for personal records. The Achievement Record sheets must be completed and kept for your personal records.

2. The County Horse and Pony Board follows the guidelines as stated in the Indiana 4-H Horse and Pony Handbook, except in cases where the County Horse and Pony Board has made specific county requirements.

3. Health inspection will be done by a licensed accredited veterinarian when the animal arrives during check  -in at fair.Health inspection will include temperature, respiration, body condition assessment, and a lameness exam. An animal will not be allowed to enter the barn until health inspection is completed. (Any questionable animal may be removed by a licensed veterinarian.) REGULATION 77–1 AS AMENDED: (Horses and ponies only) Horse must be in good physical health and have a body condition score of 4+ to be exhibited at the fair, body condition scores of 3 and below will have a Purdue Vet inspect them for eligibility to be shown at fair. Please refer to Purdue University Publications IS–269-W Equine Body Condition Scoring and AS–552-W Introduction to Body Condition Scoring Horses for more information regarding Body Condition Scoring. The vaccination form must be completed by the vet administering the vaccinations.

4. New members will be required to attend a minimum of one practice night or open show with their enrolled animals to recognize safety safety of the horse and rider. Animals deemed not safe will not be eligible to attend the county fair. 

5. All 4-H Horse and Pony member must attend three regular Horse and Pony meetings, or two regular Horse and Pony meetings and one Horse and Pony workshop; work 3 shifts during the  May, June or July open shows, turn in sponsorship money by prior to check in at fair, and earn a minimum of 45 points to be eligible for Horse and Pony special awards (Ex.: Buckles and All—Around awards). The club member may work all 3 of the shifts, or if desired, a family member may work 1 shift for the club member. A total of 3 shifts must be worked and the club member is required to work 2 of the shifts to satisfy the eligibility requirements. Awards for Clean Stall, Stall Decorations, and Sportsmanship, which are determined during fair week only, will be eligible to all exhibitors. Any events after fair will go toward shows the following calendar year. Meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of the month, January through June. Workshops must be put on by Tippecanoe County Horse & Pony club. Workshops include practice nights, clinics, and special presentations. Credit for clinic attendance is with or without horse. Point values are listed on the Tippecanoe County Horse & Pony website.  4-H members will have 14 days from the day points are posted to dispute any discrepancies.

*Cancellations of shows, workshops, etc at the discretion of the board members’ final decision.

1. No stallions, except those born the same calendar year are eligible to show.

2. Animals 56 inches and under will be considered ponies. Animals over 56 inches will be considered horses.

3. In case of injury or death of the animal, the 4-H member will be allowed to complete the project by completing and submitting a poster on any horse related topic to during the pre-fair judging for the 4-H Fair, which begins with most of the other non-animal 4-H projects of the County Fair Week deadline or may bring their backup horse as long as it was entered into the online entry system and owner approves.

4. Any animal exhibited must be owned by the 4H member showing the animal or in partnership with the 4H members father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, and grandparents, or guardian (including step). Leased animals will be accepted if 4-H’er meets conditions and terms stated in the lease agreement section.        

5. Leasing is considered the equivalent of ownership of a 4-H project animal. The 4-H member should be regularly involved in the care of the horse, regardless of where the animal is housed, and the 4-H member should have exclusive show use of the animal during the 4-H lease period. 4-H animals (horse and pony) are eligible to be leased by only one individual 4-H member in a given 4-H program year.

6. The Horse and Pony Board reserves the right to combine and delete classes.

7. Animals must be in 4-Her’s possession by May 15. Two (2) pictures must accompany ownership forms for a mare and foal, one of the mare and foal and one of the foal alone, if born before April 15. If born April 15 or later, the pictures must be turned in to the superintendent before they are eligible to show in the county fair.

8. In performance classes, 4-H members are not restricted to show English or Western—they may choose to show either or both.              

9. All classes for fair will be enrolled in via the Fair Entry online system by June 28^th deadline set by 4H Extension. However, a copy of the Tippecanoe County Horse & Pony County Fair Showbill is required to be submitted  online by the designated deadline set by the Tippecanoe County Horse and Pony club in June. Very minor changes may be made to the show bill prior to the July club meeting. This will allow the board to accurately know if anyone will participate in each class listed on the show bill and prevent the purchase of trophies for classes that have no participants. Classes cannot be added during fair week, only scratches can be made.

10. An animal can only be enrolled by one person and shown only by that person. 4-H animals exhibited after the animal ID deadline of May 15th at any show by anyone other than the person whose 4-H enrollment record is connected to the ID of the animal in Indiana 4HOnline will not be eligible to be shown in the 4-H show at the Indiana State Fair. This term/condition does not apply to siblings and parents/guardians, who may show each other’s animals at any show during the year without jeopardizing State Fair eligibility. The exception is that an animal can be enrolled by more than one immediate family member, but the same rider/animal combination must show at the county fair. Two members of the same family cannot show the same animals at the county fair. Two members from different families cannot enroll the same animal whether owned or leased. Only 2 enrolled animals may be brought to the fair. This policy applies to all 4-H animal projects. For animal projects without ID deadlines, the person who enters them in the Indiana State Fair 4-H show is the equivalent of the owner of the animals.

11. Only 4H members and their immediate family only (siblings and/or guardians) may show, exhibit, or compete on the enrolled horse at shows or competition such as Open or Breed Association Shows after May15th. If enrolled horse is shown by anyone other than enrolled club family, said enrolled horse will be considered disqualified from competition. Please see Indiana State Fair terms and conditions.

12. In Senior Division, the show judge has the right to ask for a dismount and mount in horsemanship and equitation classes.

13. In any mare and foal class where the 4-Her needs the assistance of another person in the ring, the additional person must be a 4-H member, or with the approval of the superintendent, an adult due to safety concerns.

14. Walk Trot Division - The purpose of this division is to encourage exhibitors to participate in and experience show competition, even if they (or their horse) are not ready or safely able to lope.  Rider may NOT cross enter into a class where a lope may be required with ths same horse/rider combination.  Class placings will be awarded but points will not count towards overall points (buckles/all-around, etc).  Once an exhibitor has completed a walk/trot class at the fair, they are ineligible to compete in a class requiring loping (same horse/rider combination), even in a different discipline or day of fair. Ex Exhibitors in the Walk Trot division will participate in only walk trot classes. Walk Trot classes will be added to the fair show bill. Walk/Trot Classes are not eligible for Grand/Reserve. 

15. In-Hand Trail - This is intended for ponies, young horses, and horses who are not entered in any other riding classes at the county fair. Horses/ponies will navigate the trail course in hand at tcohe walk and trot. Class placings will be awarded but points will not count towards overall points (buckles/all-around, etc). 

The following rules will also be added to the rules section concerning contesting  classes

1. Contesting horses may be led into the show ring by the rider, and then mounted inside the ring, with or without assistance from an adult. Also, contesting horses may be dismounted inside the show ring and led out by the rider.

2. Contestants must wear western boots, approved fair dress attire, and approved protective headgear.

3. Any animal or rider judged unruly by the show judge will be dismissed from the show. 

4. Bats or whips are optional.

5. Further information on dress or patterns, see Indiana 4-H Horse and Pony Handbook.

6. Contesting horses must enter the ring in a controlled manner.

Further Guidelines

1. 4-H entrants must wear approved protective headgear during any 4-H practice or show when mounted. ONLY the ASTM F1163 standard certified helmets will be allowed and it is the responsibility of the 4-Her to make sure their headgear meets this standard.

2. Showmanship, Horsemanship and Equitation eligibility:

   Junior –Grades 3, 4, 5. May win more than once.

   Intermediate –Grades 6, 7, 8. May win more than once.

   Senior –Grades 9 and above. May win more than once

3. All online enrollment, horse enrollment, fair entry online MUST be completed before the child is eligible to bring an animal to fair, including any and all forms sent by email communication.

4. Pregnant mares will NOT be allowed to show/be exhibited within the last 30 days of pregnancy. Exhibitor must provide last breeding date or evidence of a veterinary examination. 4H will not be held liable if a problem occurs. All mares must be current on vaccinations with boosters being administered at least 2 weeks prior to fair.

5. Foals 2 weeks of age or younger will not be allowed to exhibit at fair. Exhibitors bringing foals that are 4–6 months of age must have vaccination records showing that their mare was vaccinated within 4–6 weeks of foaling. If the mare is unvaccinated, then the foal will not be allowed to be exhibited unless the exhibitor can show proof of two series of boosters for the foal. Unvaccinated foals 2 weeks to 4 months of age are not eligible to attend county fair. Vaccinations must be complete 2 weeks prior to fair for immunity.                                                                   

6. Vaccinations of all other horses and ponies must be administered at least 2 weeks prior to county in order to be exhibited. 

7. A grounds/stall fee will be charged at check in, as set forth by the Exhibit Association. The amount will be announced prior to check in.

POINT DISTRIBUTION FOR 4H MEMBERS WORKING AT OPEN SHOWS

Each 4-H Horse & Pony member will be required to work at the minimum of 3 shifts during the open shows held in May, June or July. Any events after fair will go toward shows the following calendar year. Only the 4-H member may work the shifts to earn these points. 4-H members will have 14 days from the day points are posted to dispute any discrepancies.  Points for canceled shows, workshops, etc. will be at the discretion of the horse and pony board.  Please see rule #5 under County Rules in this handbook for full explanation

Completion of the project by exhibition of an animal or poster submission is required to be eligible for any year end awards. 

4-H HORSE AND PONY MEDICATION RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following rules have been put in place for the protection of the horse/pony being shown, the 4-H member, the owner of the animal, leaser and the person leasing the horse. The Tippecanoe County 4-H Horse and Pony Club has established these guidelines to ensure the fairness of competition amongst 4-H members and to help the promotion of 4-H values. All 4-H members, family members, trainers, leasers are to in good faith follow these rules and to show good sportsmanship within the club. The 4H member and their parent or guardian is responsible for completing and signing this Drug Affidavit. If the animal is being leased, the owner of the horse is responsible for providing all medication and supplement information to the 4-H member and parent or guardian prior to the week of County Fair.

Any medication/supplements given to an animal on a regimented schedule shall be listed on an ANIMAL AFFIDAVIT available from 4-H Horse and Pony Board or the Extension website. This form will be turned in before unloading of animal at fair. This form must list any medications that are given daily prior to fair, or any medication that may be given on an “as needed” basis during the week of the Tippecanoe County 4-H fair. Any and all medications must be listed with dosage amounts, reason for use and the prescribing veterinarian. If an animal is given a medication from the “banned or forbidden substance list” the animal will be disqualified from showing. Refer to the www.usef.org website for list. If one of the medications is given from the permitted medications list, it is recommended that the participant use dosages that will not prevent the animal from being shown. If the animal is given a higher dosage than listed; it is now forbidden to show until the “latest administration hour” prior to competition time frame for showing is met. This time line will be strictly adhered to. Any medication given for illness/injury that occurs at fair will require notification of the superintendent, or their designee, if off the grounds, immediately and must be given by a veterinarian. The veterinarian will be provided a list of the forbidden and allowed medications with dosing at the fair in order to make an informed decision. The medication rules will be taken from the United States Equestrian Federation, Equine Drug and Medication program. Refer to the www.usef.org website for list. An illness/injury that occurs during the fair, and requires treatment, the 4-H member, parents/guardians, leaser and trainers, all shall be made known of the treatment and the results of the treatment prior to giving the medications. This is to ensure that no unnecessary treatment is given that may disqualify the 4-H participant from showing without their knowledge. Anyone not following the medication rules will be immediately dismissed from the county fair and will not be allowed to show horses the following year in the Tippecanoe 4-H program. This includes youth, trainers and leasers, whoever the involved party is.

HORSE BOWL, HIPPOLOGY & JUDGING TEAMS

Horse Bowl—The objective of Horse Bowl events is to provide an opportunity for 4-H youth to demonstrate their knowledge of equine related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. The event also provides an educational experience for both the participants and spectators. Any 4-H member may participate in Horse Bowl.