Horse Ownership & Registration Guidelines

This needs an introductory paragraph re: any youth can participate in the program regardless of whether they own a horse, there are options for leasing a horse for the program however certain paperwork is required to participate]

Horses must be owned/leased by June 1 of the current 4-H year.

Non-Ownership Animals. Don't own an animal but want to participate? Learn about leasing an animal on our Non-Ownership Animals page!

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NYS Horse Certificate

4-H Animal Lease Agreement

NYS 4-H Horse Certificate & 4-H Animal Lease Agreement (due by June 1)

A Horse Certificate must be filled out for each project horse. It is also strongly recommended that a 4-H Animal Lease Agreement be completed as well. Project horses may be owned or leased. A family can designate all of their horses as project horses. For county fair and clinics, more than one non-leased horse can be designated as a project horse, but for the state fair, the state fair show guidelines below must be followed.

Contact the Extension office for a copy of the New York State Horse Certificate and 4-H Animal Lease Agreement.

The Extension office needs copies of the following paperwork:

1. 4-H Member Enrollment Forms for the current 4-H year – new membership taken up until the last business day of March (January 31, 2024)
2. NYS 4-H Horse Certificate – due June 1
3. 4-H Animal Lease Agreement (if applicable) – due June 1
4. Current Negative Coggins (for 2024 a test from 2023 or 2024) – due June 1
5. Proof of Rabies Vaccination (Rabies is yearly, please check the date on your Rabies paperwork) – due June 1

Health Certificate

Required if your horse is boarded outside of New York State. Can be obtained from your vet.

Riding Evaluations

ALL 4-Hers, regardless of age, should be evaluated by a 4-H Horse Advisory Committee Member in order to ride in 4-H clinics and/or shows.

Riding Evaluation forms need to be completed and on file at the Extension office for:

1. Cloverbuds who would like to ride in Walk/Trot classes
2. 4-Hers who would like to move up from Walk/Trot to Walk/Trot/Canter
3. New 4-H members who are over 7 years of age and enrolling in the horse project for the first time

Riding evaluations will be completed by a 4-H Horse Advisory Committee Member. Ashley Silano-Moore, 4-H Team Leader, and Kaitlyn Conklin, 4-H Subject Educator, will give final approval with the recommendation from the 4-H Horse Advisory Committee. 4-H Horse Advisory Committee Member(s) must see the individual ride/drive.

Contact the Extension office to obtain a copy of the Riding Evaluation forms (Cloverbud; Riding Level; Driving Level; Miniature).

Last updated February 24, 2025