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Wayne County

Wayne County 4-H Horse Department

Things to Consider Before Taking A Horse Project

Think about how much space is required to house a horse or pony.  Do you have enough physical space and the proper shelter or are you able to board the animal somewhere?  Are you aware of feed and hay costs and and have you budgeted for them?  Are you prepared to invest the money and time involved in caring for, grooming, walking and riding a horse or pony to train them to be ready for the fair? Are the youth and parent(s), guardian(s), or other adult helper(s) prepared to make the time and financial commitment?  Have you considered what tack and/or show clothing you'll need to purchase or borrow?  Horse projects are very rewarding but are also among the most time-intensive and expensive 4-H projects.

2026 Horse Calendar of Events

  • April 1 - Enroll in 4-H through 4-H Online (note: clubs may set an earlier deadline)
  • May 1- Horse Special Request Forms - Due to the Extension Office by 4:30 pm
  • June 1 - Obtain and care for your project animal(s) on or before June 1st
  • June 1 - Complete Animal ID for all possible animals (including family back-ups) that you could possibly enter in the fair through 4-HOnline on or before June 1st.  Help sheets are available at wayne.osu.edu/help
  • June 1 - Equistep due for Ohio State Fair Exhibitors Link: go.osu.edu/2026equistep
  • July 1 - Entries due if planning on showing at The Ohio State Fair.
  • July 7 - Outstanding Horse Exhibitor Exam - 5-9 pm at the Event Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds
  • July 8 - Skillathon Judging - @ 6 - 9 pm, Event Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds.
  • July 9 - Skillathon Judging - @ 6 - 9 pm, Event Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds
  • July 29 - Complete the required Equistep Program on Carmen Canvas.
  • August 1 - Fair Entries - Make all Junior Fair Class Entries at waynejrfair.fairentry.com 
    • Reminder: No additions or corrections to any Fair Entry Classes after August 1
  • August 4 - Outstanding Horse Exhibitor Exam - 5-9 pm at the Event Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds
  • August 5 - Skillathon Judging - The final Skillathon Interview night @ 6 - 9 pm, Event Center, Wayne County Fairgrounds.
  • For a complete list of horse dates and events please see the Horse Guideline Packet.

Horse Project Books

  • The books listed below can be ordered through your 4-H club advisor, purchased directly from the Wayne County Extension Office, or ordered online at extensionpubs.osu.edu
  • Beginning Horse Management (174) - This beginning-level project is for ALL youth starting in the 4-H horse program. The basics of caring for a horse, learning to ride, and showmanship are covered in 170 pages, many with color photographs. There is no time limit to complete this project.
  • Horseless Horse (173) - Learn about horses without owning one. Over 20 different horse-related subjects are covered in easy-to-use worksheets. This project also may be used during the educational portion of club meetings. Written for the beginner but suitable for members of all ages.
  • Draft Horse (181) - Are you fascinated with draft horses and want to know more about these magnificent giants? Learn about their care, feeding, harnessing, hitching, showing, and much more with this updated project book. Complete 4-H 190R Equine Record each year project is taken
  • Dressage (189) - By patiently developing a horse's mental and physical abilities, youth work toward a perfect understanding between horse and rider. This project asks youth to complete a "Planning Your Project" section, several activities, learning experiences, and citizenship/leadership activities; keep records; and write a one-page report. This project requires access to a horse. Use with 190R Equine Record Book.
  • Equine Reproduction and Genetics (185) - Explore breeding and mare and foal management in a project that requires commitment. Use with 190R Equine Record Book.
  • Gymkhana (186) -  Learn how to take care of your horse, the patterns of gymkhana (including the barrel and flag races), and everything else you need to know to excel in gymkhana.
  • Roping (187) -  Explore roping’s rich history and its deep roots in the American West and the rodeo. Learn how rope is made and understand how each type of rope is used.
  • Horse Nutrition (762) - Explore digestion, nutrients, feedstuffs, rationing, and poison plant identification to protect the health of the horse you love. Use with 190R Equine Record Book.
  • Learning to Jump (180) - Want to put your horse skills to work on something new? This project starts with a foundation of proper riding techniques, then teaches you the basics of how to jump in an easy-to-understand sequence of exercises. Expert tips and a troubleshooting guide keep you on track to have fun and stay safe while learning to jump. Use with 190R Equine Record Book. 
  • Light Horse Selection (175) - Judge horses and classes after studying basic horse anatomy for a sound basis in the selection of pleasure or breeding stock. Use with 190R Equine Record Book. 
  • Trail Riding (188) - Team up with your horse for competition or pleasure trail riding. Learn the basics of conditioning your horse. Use with 190R Equine Record Book. 
  • Horse Training: How to Talk to Your Horse (177) - Training horses from birth to maturity. Understand horse behavior and how to use it to create a good relationship between horse and rider. Basic Horse Training videos by Dr. Robert Kline are available at ohio4h.org/horsetrainingvideos. Use with the 190R Equine Record Book
  • Standardbred Horses (184) - Learn how to safely harness your horse to a cart and drive, whether it is a Standardbred racehorse or a pleasure driving horse. Use with 190R Equine Record Book. 
  • Small Equine (182) - This intermediate project is for a miniature horse, donkey, or mule. Learn the basics of caring for small equine, guiding in-hand and driving, and showmanship. Youth must complete 191R Horses, Safety, and You, and 174 Beginning Horse Management before taking this project. Use with 190R Equine Record Book each year project is taken. 
  • Equine Record Book (190R) - Required for horse projects 175, 177, 180, 181, 184, 185, 188, 189, and 762. Complete one record book every year. 

Horse Project Guidelines and Forms

  • 2026 Wayne County 4-H Horse Project Guidelines - published annually, this document provides an overview of the most important things youth and parents should know about taking a horse project, including important dates, deadlines, animal ID, and Junior Fair information.  This document is usually updated each November or December with information for the new year.
  • Uniform Rules for 4-H Horse Shows (State 4-H Rule Book, updated every three years, newly revised edition released in 2024)
  • Equistep - EquiSTEP is an annual statewide requirement for all youth participating in Ohio 4-H Horse Program activities and/or enrolled in a 4-H horse project.  EquiSTEP replaces the statewide requirement of reading the Horses, Safety, and You (191R) resource and viewing the Every Time, Every Ride and Horses, Kids, and Ethics videos for youth and their families who are new to the 4-H horse program. DUE JUNE 1 for State Fair participants. DUE JULY 29 for Wayne County Fair participants.
  • Questions about horse projects can be directed to your club advisor, Diane Johnson at the Extension Office, or by contacting Horse Committee Chair Ashley Yoder.

Horse Animal ID Requirements

2026 Horse Animal ID Help Sheet - overview of how to enter horse Animal ID in 4-HOnline and lists which fields and forms are required and which are optional.

Horse Clinic / Educational Resources

Horse Fun Shows

Horse PAS / State Fair Information

  • Wayne County will not be offering a PAS show.  Youth who wish to qualify for the State Fair Jr. Horse show will need to complete a PAS Out of County Form and bring it to the Wayne County Extension Office for a signature before going out of county to a PAS Show. 

Horse Outstanding Exhibitor Awards Program

Horse Outstanding Record Book Awards

  • The Outstanding Record Book Awards are designed to recognize youth who take time to thoroughly complete their record books, adding in details and financial, feed, and health records from throughout the entire project, including records from during and after the fair. Youth wishing to have their record books judged should turn them in to the Extension Office by October 2.  Awards are presented at the Fall 4-H Recognition Banquet.
  • Horse Outstanding Record Book Award Rubric

Horse Junior Fair Information

State 4-H Horse Website

For more information about the Ohio 4-H Horse Program, be sure to visit https://horse.osu.edu

Horse Committee

  • The Wayne County 4-H / FFA / Jr. Fair Horse Action committee are volunteers who are responsible for planning, organizing, and carrying out the horse program in consultation with and under the authority of OSU Extension and the Wayne County Agricultural Society (Senior Fair Board)
  • Our 2026 Horse Committee is made up of the following individuals: Ashley Yoder (Chair), Kevin Shoup (V.Chair), Paul Sommers, Gabe Pyers, Steven Gray, Jennifer Frank, Lisa Miller, Jordan Gates, Courtney Sheely, Sarah Dereher, Mariel Dean, Alex Dewitt (FFA, JFB Advisor), Diane Johnson (OSU Extension), Rich Mairs (Senior Fair Board) and Mack Donley (Senior Fair Board) and Junior Fair Board members Taran Tate, Carter Foxx, Carter Gasser. 

Wayne County 4-H Horse Facebook Group

Be sure to join our Wayne County 4-H Horse Facebook Group, where we share reminders, announcements, and other educational content related to the 4-H Horse Program.  Check us out on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/waynecounty4hhorse.