Horse and Pony

Please contact the Horse and Pony Committee if you have any questions about Horse and Pony.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES: The Ohio State Beginning Horse Management Handbook 4-H 174

ACTIVITY REQUIRED: Complete the Proof of Vaccination form, Record Sheets, question sheets, and attend appropriate workshops.

DUE DATE: Proof of Vaccination, Record Sheets, and all questions sheets are due at the final Clean-up prior to the Fair in July.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS:  Animals must be enrolled in 4HOnline by May 15^th. All projects need to be enrolled in Fair Entry by July 1^st.

 DOCUMENT AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: Properly identified, 4HOnline enrollment by the appropriate date, Health Certificate, and Proof of Vaccination

Taken from the “2021 Animal/Livestock Manual Requirements” on page 14 of the Periscope.

All Divisions: Health Requirements.

1. See General Requirements for All Species as listed in Newton County Fair Book. All animals must be healthy at the time of entry to the Newton County Fair to be eligible for exhibition.  All animals must be identified and meet appropriate State Board of Animal Health requirements.
2. Horses coming from out of state for exhibition in Indiana must meet the following requirements:
3. Each horse must test negative for E.I.A. (Coggins Test) within 12 months of the date of exhibition.
4. A list of required vaccinations will be sent out each Spring.  The 4-H member will be responsible for ensuring these vaccinations are obtained.  Proof of vaccination will be required.

The following are exempt from the E.I.A. testing requirement:

1. A suckling foal accompanying a dam that has tested negative for E.I.A. within twelve months of the exhibition.

3. The following applies to horses coming from Indiana for exhibition in Indiana:
4. Proof of Vaccinations
5. an E.I.A. (Coggins) Test is not required.
6. No horse may be exhibited or unloaded at fairgrounds showing any symptoms of communicable disease.

4-H HORSE & PONY RULES

1. The following items are required to be turned in at the final clean up in July: Proof of Vaccinations, Record         Sheets and all division question sheets.  If these items are not turned in at this time, the 4-H Child will only be considered for completion and no other awards will be given at this time.
2. All 4-H members and family members will need to know all the rules and regulations stipulated in the 4-H Periscope as well as the Indiana Horse and Pony Handbook.  The handbook can be found at four-h.purdue.edu/horse. 
3. To improve education and safety, attendance at Horse & Pony meetings, activities, and events is encouraged. Attendance and participation at 3 Horse & Pony activities (club meetings, clinics, fund-raisers, etc.) is encouraged for 4-Hers enrolled only in Horse & Pony Club. A sign-in sheet will be at every event. Those who sign in will receive credit for attendance. Members who have all forms completed and turned in by required date will be able to show and complete.
4. A member may not exhibit more than 2 horses in any class. No horse may be ridden more than once in any class by the same exhibitor. Exceptions to this rule will apply to riding double classes, Mini 4-H classes.
5. Placings will be made using the Danish scoring system. Each 4-H member may receive a blue, red, or white ribbon depending upon the discretion of the judge. All judge's decisions are final.
6. Stalls will be used for tack rooms only on availability.
7. If you do not have an official measurement and your horse is under 56”, your horse will have to be measured prior to show day.
8. All horses must be electronically enrolled on the Online Animal Enrollment website. Lease agreements are electronic only at the above website.  No paper copies will be issued.  Online enrollment and lease agreements will have to be filled out completely by May 15.
9. Weanlings, yearlings, and two-year-olds will be shown as the height of their dam unless height exceeds the dam's height.
10. No substitutes after May 15th unless accompanied by a Veterinarian's certificate. An official measurement and lease agreement, if applicable, may be required. Currently enrolled horses cannot be used for another’s substitution.
11. January 1st of the current year shall be considered the birthdate of all animals.
12. Exhibit divisions. Beginner: 5 years in the project or less and Advanced: 5 years in project or more.
13. No stallions over one year of age to compete in 4-H competition or be permitted on the grounds. A gelding exhibiting stallion like behavior may be required a blood test to determine if he is proud cut per committee discretion.
14. Any animal exhibited must be owned by the contestant, or owned in partnership with the contestant's father, mother, brother, sister, grandparent, or legal guardian. Exception: leased animals project may be shown subject to approval of both the county 4-H Horse & Pony Committee and the Extension Educator.
15. Two or more family members may share a horse on show days only if at least one of the members is in the beginner level. Exceptions to this rule will apply to riding double classes, Mini 4-H classes.
16. 4-H members must show only horses that have been registered in their name during the fair. Exceptions to this rule will apply to riding double classes, Mini 4-H classes.
17. All exhibitors will conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen. Impolite behavior, poor sportsmanship and inhumane treatment of the animal on the grounds will cause disqualification. Parents will be expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to set a good example for members and spectators.
18. Ring courtesy dictates that exhibitors maintain a safe distance between animals in all classes.
19. The judge, commitee, and the ring steward may excuse any entry from the ring which they may deem as unsafe, displaying impolite behavior, or poor sportsmanship or inhumane treatment of animal.
20. The Horse & Pony Committee shall be empowered to declare an animal unfit to show through an injury or sickness.
21. Suitable western attire must be worn in all western classes. Mandatory items include boots, long pants, long sleeved shirt, belt, and a helmet or hat. Suitable English attire must be worn in all English classes.
22. 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 or driving. 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. Adults riding horses are also at risk of head injury; therefore, adults are also strongly encouraged to wear properly fitted, certified helmets when they are riding at any 4-H sponsored activity/event so that they will serve as role models of safe behavior as well as protect themselves. 
23. Keep stalls and aisles clean. Clean stall award will be awarded to the cleanest stall. Stalls not cleaned throughout the week or by the end of fair week will forfeit premium money. Stalls must be cleaned and checked before leaving fairgrounds with horse by a committee member.
24. 4-Hers and siblings will be required to have a responsible adult with them at all events and fair week.
25. Any situation not covered by these rules shall be referred to the Horse and Pony Committee. Guidelines shall be adopted from the Indiana 4-H Horse and Pony Handbook.
26. Beginning at 12 noon on the first Monday of the Newton County Fair and lasting until the end of the performance show on the first Tuesday of the Newton County Fair, no one other than the Newton County 4-H Horse & Pony member will be allowed to ride a 4-H member’s horse. Ground work and/or help in grooming will be permitted by persons not covered by this rule. In the event of a cancellation of the performance show, The Horse & Pony Committee will determine the day and time to enforce this rule, violators during this time period will not be allowed to show on Tuesday classes. Exceptions to this rule will apply to riding double classes, Mini 4-H classes, lead line and exhibition classes. No Check Out before stalls are cleaned. No one is allowed in the ring during shows
27. If you sign up for a walk/trot classes with any horse, you are not allowed in any canter classes with any horse on Performance Day only.
28. Showmanship classes will be divided into appropriately sized groups by age. 4-Hers must sign-up with the respective superintendent. When signing up to enter the showmanship contest, the 4-Her must give his/her grade level. The superintendent will determine the break in class size. The winners in each class will show for the Champion Showman Award. (Past winners will re-enter their appropriate age class each year). All participating members must show their own animals.

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