Teaching & Coaching Youth in the 4-H Horse Project

Teaching & Coaching Youth in the 4-H Horse Project Sean Moore Colfax County Extension 4-H Agent

Why • 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

Ultimately Why • Learn Life Skills – • 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

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

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

Goal Setting - • 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

Caring – Giving - Nurturing • 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

Relating - Belonging • 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

Character - Integrity • “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

Work Ethic – Hard work • 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

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

Confidence – Self-Esteem • 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 Continued • 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

Having Fun • 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

References/Resources • www.myhorseuniversity.com • Click on Resources, then webcasts, then archived webcasts • Edgette, Janet S., “Heads Up!”, 1996 • Breed Associations • NMSU “Brand News” contact jlturner@nmsu.edu • Other Universities

Teaching & Coaching Youth in the 4-H Horse Project