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Pilot Project Brings Horses to 4-H
 Camp
By
Laura Skillman
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky., (Aug. 11, 2006) - Basic horse care and
riding skills were among the options for West Kentucky 4-H Camp
members for the first time this year thanks to a pilot program
between the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
and Murray State University's equine program.
“We are real excited about this opportunity,” said Ginny Harper,
Calloway County Extension agent for 4-H youth development. “We
did a pilot project this year for two camping weeks where kids
had a chance to work with and learn beginner horsemanship with
an instructor from Murray State University. We had an intern
from Murray State who served as the instructor, and we were also
able to use their horses.
“These horses are 18 to 20 years old and are used for riding
lessons and being a part of a teaching program,” she said. “It’s
a great collaborative project with their School of Agriculture.”
West Kentucky 4-H Camp is open to 4-Hers in 36 western Kentucky
counties. Harper said 4-H agents, community members and people
affiliated with the two universities were among the many who
worked to make the project a reality.
Sixty 4-Hers each week had a chance to participate in morning
classes, and in the afternoon another 60 campers participated in
pleasure riding. To be a part of the class, students had to pay
a small additional fee, which Harper hopes will help the horse
program become self-sustaining.
A Kentucky Equine Education Program grant and a 4-H Venture
grant were used to get the program under way. Temporary holding
facilities were put in place for the animals this year,
and permanent facilities will be constructed in time for camp in
2007. The permanent facilities will allow them to offer the
classes throughout the camping season as well as give them the
opportunity to have weekend camps for additional young people.
 Horses
are a very popular part of 4-H programs across the state. Harper
said offering the classes at camp will tap young people who are
not already participating in the horse clubs.
“It may be a springboard for a 4-H horse project for them in the
future,” she said.
Kelley Murphy, a member of Murray State’s equestrian team and a
pre-veterinary student, was the instructor for this year’s pilot
program.
“It is a lot of basic horsemanship – care of the horse, safety
around the horse, horse behavior and a little basic riding as
well,” she said. “I was so excited about this project. I’m
originally from Maryland and have been teaching summer camps
there for a few years, and this was my first 4-H camp. It has
been a lot of fun.”
This year, Murphy said they had six horses at camp and hope to
have more next year.
“I’ve had a lot of help from the counselors,” she said. “A lot
of the teen helpers helped me with the horses, and then the kids
also came out. They love to come out and help groom the horses
and feed them. It has definitely been worthwhile, and I think it
will be a very valuable program here at 4-H camp.”
Alex Hale, a camper from Christian County, said the classes have
been helpful for him to care for his own horse that he calls
“Bucking Horse – because if you sit on him, he’ll go wild. My
grandparents usually feed him, but now I can start feeding him
by myself.” |
Contact: Ginny Harper, 270-753-1452 |
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of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission, reaches across
the commonwealth with Teaching, Research and Extension
to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
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