AS-428
animal sciences horses
R. A. Battaglia, Extension Horse Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University and K. A. Boiler, Extension Agent-Agriculture and Youth, Logansport (Cass Co.)
The trail ride activity is the high spot of the year for many 4-H Club members. For months, they have been faithfully working to condition their animals and perfect their horsemanship. The trail ride now provides an opportunity to find out what they have accomplished. The ride also helps stimulate the members in their project and can be used to make the public aware of yet another aspect of 4-H Club work. Friendly rivalry among the participants provides for the development of good sportsmanship.
The primary purpose of this manual is to serve as a guide for those who are involved in planning an3 conducting 4-H competitive trail rides. We realize, of course, that the planning committee will probably not want to include all suggestions listed, but only those suited to their particular ride.
Another important pupose of this manual is to assure uniform procedure for 4-H competitive trail rides. In this respect, the manual should serve to unify procedures and help 4-H Club members know what to expect, regardless of where in the state the ride is held.
Considerations in Planning the Trail Ride
Most rides that prove successful are such because of adequate preparation, especially concerning the following items. (For a list of specific pre-ride activities and when they should be completed, see section on "Trail^ Ride Management Checklist and Planning Sequence".)
Ride Location. Most of us will not be blessed with the perfect site to hold the competitive trail ride, and so we must maximize the positive and minimize the negative features of our site. If at all possible, the site should satisfy these conditions: (1) a location central to the area from which we hope to draw participants; (2) a system of well-marked, well-established trails; (3) a headquarters area having parking, picnicking and restroom facilities;
and (4) camping and horse picketing areas if the ride is overnight or for the weekend. Outside horses should be banned from the course tor the actual duration of the ride.
Time of Year. A ride is most enjoyable if scheduled for other than intensely hot or bitterly cold months. Spring is often chosen, but runs the risk of late cold snaps or spring showers. In addition, 4-H horses are not usually in peak condition until mid-summer. Rides in the early fall have the advantages of colorful foliage, fewer mosquito problems and more stable weather than in spring. In addition, the hustle and bustle of other summer horse activities has usually subsided by Labor Day. Avoid scheduling too close to horse show dates in your area. A new, potentially successful ride may fail if scheduled too near a show of long standing.
Chairperson and Committee Organization.
Make decisions about location and time of year well in advance of the ride to allow for adequate preparation. A ride chairperson should be selected early and should surround himself with willing workers to participate in the following committees: Publicity; Entry; Awards; Judges; Site Selection/Preparation; Stabling/Parking; Food Coordination; Security, Safety and First Aid; and Cleanup.
Type of Ride. A "point-to-point" ride presents some logistical problems, such as a new campsite each night, food movement, transportation of horse trailers, multiple landowners, etc. A "base camp" ride, probably the easiest logistically, can be made into a "wagon wheel" ride by leaving and entering camp from a different direction and on a different trail each day. A "loop" ride is like a point-to-point ride if, in completing the loop, a new campsite is used each night, or like the wagon wheel ride if the loop is completed each day.
Rules of the Ride. Rules should be made available to all potentially interested people prior to the ride. They should be concise but
Planning. Conducting and Scoring . 4-H competitive Trail Ride Activities
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PURDUE UNiversityY, WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907