Sean Moore Colfax County Extension 4-H Agent

  Youth – Fun, Exciting, Love of Horses, Friends, Competition, Family “Kids participate because of fun….and stop participating when it stops being fun. (Weiss, 2004)”  Parents/Leaders – Fun, Exciting, Love of Horses, Friends, Competition, Family, Have Success, Learn to Learn, Have a Passion, Life Long Sport Why

  Learn Life Skills – Ultimately Why Responsibility Discipline Teamwork Hardwork Goal Setting Self-Motivation Self-Esteem Healthy Living Managing Feelings Self-Discipline Decision Making Problem Solving Managing Stress Planning/Organizing Keeping records Communication Cooperation Character Integrity Social Skills Critical Thinking Resiliency Marketable Skills Nurturing

  Horse Project is Continuous or Year Round  As a result we have the challenge of trying to prevent burn-out with child and animal Unique Challenge

 First Step Evaluate where Horse & Rider are at as a Team

  SMART = Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic and Relevant to child, Time Sensitive  Set goals that focus on something other than winning and losing  Communication (Rider & Trainer)  Organizing/Planning  Decision Making Goal Setting -

  Concern for something besides themselves  Respect for their partner  Are they in shape for what they are asking?  Are they suited for the event they are choosing?  Care, feed, exercise, grooming  Nurturing through injury/illness IN GROUPS  Sharing, mentoring, leadership, conflict resolution Caring – Giving - Nurturing

  A positive relationship with a caring adult  An inclusive environment  Communication (Horse, Trainer, Family, Riding Partners)  A safe environment  Adult role model  Social Skills  Cooperation Relating - Belonging

  “Teach youth to be internally rather than externally motivated (Waite, 2008)”  Self-responsibility  Help young people learn to accept success & FAILURE  “Encourage riders to seek out and be energized by Challenges (Waite, 2008)”  Courage  Sportsmanship Character - Integrity

  Opportunity for Mastery  With Hard Work can attain goals  Teamwork with Trainer, Horse, Riding Group  Hopefully kids learn not to quit (resiliency)  Self Motivation  Marketable Skills  Self Discipline  Pride Work Ethic – Hard work

  Problem Solving  Critical Thinking  Decision Making  “Recognize and appreciate that everyone learns differently…horses too! (Waite, 2008)”  Audio  Visual  Kenisthetic Learning to Learn

  Success by reaching attainable goals  Opportunity for Mastery-even if small or baby steps  Independence  Working on skills at home  Opportunity for self determination  “Deliver positive, specific, contingent feedback to youth and horses (Waite, 2008)”  Find or make more opportunities Confidence – Self-Esteem

  If Parent & Coach (not always ideal) be Parent first  Children need unconditional support from at least one adult  Recognize and talk up efforts of youth rather than wins and losses, placings, or ribbons Confidence – Self-Esteem Continued

  The backbone of why kids choose horse project  Make sure time to play and socialize  Stress Management  Do something different for horse & rider  Managing Feelings  Keep a perspective Having Fun

   Click on Resources, then webcasts, then archived webcasts  Edgette, Janet S., “Heads Up!”, 1996  Breed Associations  NMSU “Brand News” contact  Other Universities References/Resources