Source: MSU-ES Horse Judging Activities I-V (Form 819, 820, 821, 822, 823); 4-H Horse Judging Manual (Pub 901)

4-H Horse Judging ContestHorse Judging I:

Parts of The Horse

PPA5-0001.00

Source: MSU-ES Horse Judging Activities I-V (Form 819, 820, 821, 822, 823); 4-H Horse Judging Manual (Pub 901)

Presentation prepared byKathy Nash

AV Reference Room Manager/ Information & Graphics Technician

MSU-ES Support Services Department

Review CommitteeRoy Higdon, Area Agent, Animal Science/Forages, MSUESTom McBeath, Mississippi Quarter Horse AssociationKathy Nash, Information & Graphics Technician, MSUESSandy Slocum, DeSoto County Director, MSUESAmy Ware, Carroll County 4-H Agent, MSUESDwayne Wheeler, Special Project Coordinator, MSUES

4-H Horse Judging ContestHorse judging is one of the most educational and popular activities of the 4-H horse project. Horse judging contests involve two actions. First, you must place each animal in a class, and second, you must be able to orally defend that placing.

Horse judging helps youth to:Develop communication skillsMake decisions based on facts and observationsCompete with a sportsmanlike attitudeLearn a skill essential for success in the horse industryDevelop self confidence

Contests consist of:Judging halter classes (geldings or mares) and giving reasonsJudging performance classes and giving reasons. These performance classes will come from Western Pleasure, Reining, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle, Hunter Hack, Hunt Seat Equitation, Horsemanship or Showmanship.The 4-H contest system uses four animals in each

class. Your job as a judging participant is to place the animals first, second, third, and fourth. Generally, it is best to break a class down into pairs. Divide the class down into a top pair, middle pair, and a bottom pair. However, it is generally best to make the easiest placing first. This may be the top animal, the bottom, or any of the pairs.

Suggestions for BeginnersLearn the correct names for all the parts of a horse, their values, and their locations.Learn the correct terms. Improper terms will weaken reasons.Learn the correct organization and techniques used in presenting oral reasons.Develop a mental picture of an ideal horse. Do this by recalling the desirable features of horses you have seen, or from pictures available from various associations.Learn the correct procedures and patterns for performance classes.Practice!!! Studying and knowing a lot about your subject will help you gain confidence.

Let’s Begin!!!

Source: MSU-ES Horse Judging Activities I-V (Form 819, 820, 821, 822, 823); 4-H Horse Judging Manual (Pub 901)

Horse Judging I:(Parts of The Horse)PPA5-0001.00

Material suitable for ages 8-10

This is a HorseThis lesson is to help you

understand the parts of the horse.

Horses are made up of many, many different

parts.These parts must go

together very well for the horse to perform properly.

If a horse has crooked legs, is knock kneed, cow hocked, has a long back, or other problems, chances are, the

horse will not have the ability to perform well.

Let’s begin now with the parts of the horse and see how many you can learn!

Parts of the Horse1. Forehead2. Face3. Bridge of

nose4. Nostril5. Muzzle6. Upper lip7. Lower lip8. Under lip9. Throat latch10. Poll11. Crest12. Neck25. Shoulder38. Withers

13. Point of shoulder

14. Chest15. Arm16. Elbow17. Forearm18. Knee19. Cannon20. Ankle21. Pastern22. Coronet23. Fetlock24. Girth

23

22

Parts of the horse19. Cannon20. Ankle21. Pastern23. Fetlock26. Barrel27. Abdomen28. Hoof29. Hock30. Gaskin31. Stifle32. Flank

33. Buttock34. Point of hip35. Croup36. Loin37. Back39. Thigh

Now let’s see the WHOLE horse

Parts of the horse

(this sheet can be printed out )

(to be used with slide #16 )

Now see if you can name all the parts!!!

(this sheet can be printed out )

(to be used with slide #15 )

Source: MSU-ES Horse Judging Activities I-V (Form 819, 820, 821, 822, 823); 4-H Horse Judging Manual (Pub 901)

Ya’ll Did Great!!!

See ya’ll for Part II, when we study The Basics of Horse

Judging!