Maryland 4-H Horse Program-Horsemanship Standards

The Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards are designed to help 4-H members progressively develop knowledge of horse care, horse management, and horsemanship skills. The Horsemanship Standards are divided into Knowledge, English Riding, and Western Riding Standards each containing six levels. The Riding Standards encourage members to become safe, effective and confident riders with a sound knowledge of equipment and tack. The Knowledge Standards develop proper horse handling and husbandry skills. While it is realized that not every 4-H member would want to master all levels, the first two levels of the Knowledge and Riding Standards require 4-H members to learn the basics of horse safety, care, and riding. Also, certain levels may be required for participation in state horse programs and events in the future including the state fair show.

Information on the Horsemanship Standards:

Horsemanship Standards (Updated 05/5/08)

Written Tests for Knowledge Levels Testing

Written tests for Knowledge Levels 1-4 are distributed to County 4-H Educators at the beginning of each calendar year. Volunteer leaders or Certified Examiners hosting/coordinating a Horsemanship Standards Knowledge Testing should contact the County 4-H Educator well in advance of the testing to receive copies of the written tests and keys.

Level 5 and 6 Testings

Testing for Levels 5 and 6 of the Knowledge and Riding Horsemanship Standards will be offered annually when demand is present. If you are interested in testing for either Level 5 or 6, please complete the form below. You will be contacted with further information about future testings as it becomes available.

Level 5/6 Request Form

Examiner Training and Certification Materials

All examiners must stay up to date on all rules and procedures within the Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards. Examiners are encouraged to attend regional training sessions, but are not required to do so at this time. In an effort to provide training materials to all individuals interested in becoming examiners or to those interested in furthering their knowledge of the Horsemanship Standards, information has been provided below:

Horsemanship Standards Getting Started
This is a PDF that introduces the purpose of the Standards, resource materials, requirements and responsibilities for both level candidates and examiners, pass/fail information, how to organize a level testing, and guidelines for safety.

Horsemanship Standards Training Power Point (updated 05/05/08)
This Power Point presentation can be used to help teach participants and volunteers about the Horsemanship Standards.

Horsemanship Standards Training Power Point Notes (updated 05/05/08)
Notes of the Power Point presentation can be used as handouts during Horsemanship Standards training sessions.

How To Organize a Horsemanship Standards Testing (new - 05/05/08)
This Power Point presentation can be used to learn how to set up a club and/or county testing for 4-Hers.

How To Organize a Horsemanship Standards Testing Power Point Notes (new)
Notes of the Power Point presentation can be used as handouts during Horsemanship Standards training sesssions.

Examiner Training Sessions

There are currently no examiner training sessions planned. If anyone is interested in hosting a bi-county training of MCE volunteers, please contact Kristen Wilson at 301-596-9478.

Examiner Certification Tests

To become a certified Maryland 4-H Horsemanship Standards Examiner for Levels 1-4, individuals must complete and pass a take home exam. The test may be taken as an open-book test. Maryland 4-H approved references for State contests and for Horsemanship Standards, and the Horsemanship Standards themselves may be used during the test. At no time may any individual taking this test receive assistance from another individual.

Each test is worth a total 50 points. Candidates must earn a grade of 80% or higher (Levels 1 and 2) or 85% or higher (Levels 3 and 4) to pass the test.

Upon completion, send to: Horsemanship Examiner Certification, Maryland 4-H Center, 8020 Greenmeade Drive, College Park, MD 20742.

Following is a list of Examiner Certification Tests that can currently be requested:

Knowledge Levels 1 & 2
Riding Levels 1 & 2
Knowledge Level 3
Riding Level 3 (English & Western Combined)
Knowledge Level 4

To request an Examiner Certification Test or for more information on an Examiner Training, please e-mail Kristen Wilson or call her at 301-596-9478.