Cache County 4-H Horse Council
- County Coordinator: Britney Silver 801-391-9426
- Holly Cooper
- Jenny Wuthrich
- Kirk Christensen
The Utah 4-H Western Horse Program focuses on teaching youth to work with a project horse throughout the year, and be tested on their equine knowledge. This program is designed to provide experiences to help them develop leadership, citizenship, self-esteem, social skills and to become contributing members of society, as well as becoming better horse men and women. The 4-H Horse Program is designed to be EDUCATIONAL, ACTIVITY-ORIENTED, AND FUN for those who become involved.
The 4-H Western Horse Program is open to youth in 3rd grade to 12th grade AND who are at least 8 years of age as of September 1 of the related 4-H year. Participants are required to provide their own horse, tack, and transportation to and from events.
This program focuses on educational and fun club meetings, youth council meetings and activities, service projects, education clinics, and horse shows.
When: 1st Thursday of every month, October–April (excluding December)
- 6:00 – Youth Council: Come have your voice be heard! Help plan activities and ride nights. All youth welcome!
- 6:30 – Horse Classics Activity: Come learn about horses with the county Ambassadors. Fun hands-on activities that will prepare you for life, horse classics competitions, and show tests.
- 7:00 – Horse Council Meeting: For parents, club leaders, and volunteers. (Youth are always welcome!) Help make the horse program go from the best to better! Learn valuable information about the program, help form committees and volunteer, and voice your opinions and concerns.
Where: Cache County Event Center
When: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:30
Where: Cache County Fair Ground Indoor Arena
To be eligible to ride, youth must:
- Be signed up on ZSuite as a 4-H member and paid the $10 dues
- Pay the $35 horse fee
- Sign and abide by the Code of Conduct
- Abide by the rules laid out in the State Horse 4-H Rule Book, including wearing a helmet at all times when on their horse
Horse Nutrition: Feed Your Horse Right!
When: November 16, 2026 @ 5:30–6:30
Where: Cache County Event Center
What: What’s really in your horse’s feed bucket? Join us for a hands-on Horse Nutrition clinic where you’ll become a feed detective! Learn what your horses need to stay healthy, compare different types of hay and feed, read feed labels, and build a balanced feeding plan for your own horse scenario. And take home your very own “Things on a String” treat for your horse.
Special Expert Guest: TBD
Learn to Make a Two-Toned Decorative Noseband for a Rope Halter
When: December 3, 2026 @ 6:00
Where: Cache County Event Center
What: Join us for a night of paracord tying. We’ll learn how to create a two-toned noseband for a rope halter. Paracord and halter will be provided.
Fee: $TBD
Also, see the Horseless Horse Program tab for more fun clinics and activities!
“The 4-H Horse Program is designed to emphasize youth development. The horse shall be a vehicle that reflects the knowledge and skills learned by its rider.”
Cost: $15 per show
All shows must be registered for on ZSuite one week prior to the show.
- Date TBD – Western Horse Show #1
- Date TBD – Western Horse Show #2
- Date TBD – Western Horse Show #3
- Date TBD – Western Horse Show #4
Western Horse Show Patterns
TBD
Western Horse Show Judges
TBD
Test
The chart below outlines what pages test questions will be from for that particular show based on age group.
| Age Group | Show #1 | Show #2 | Show #3 | Show #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juniors | Vol. 1 pg 1–8 4-H Biosecurity RB Section 1 |
Vol. 1 pg 9–26 RB Section 2–2.1 |
Vol. 1 pg 27–42 RB Section 2.2 |
Vol. 1 pg 43–64 RB Section 2.3 |
| Intermediate/Senior | Vol. 1 pg 1–8 4-H Biosecurity Vol. 2 pg 1–19 RB Section 1 |
Vol. 1 pg 9–26 Vol. 2 pg 20–32 RB Section 2–2.1 |
Vol. 1 pg 27–42 Vol. 2 pg 33–52 RB Section 2.2 |
Vol. 1 pg 43–64 Vol. 2 pg 55–73 RB Section 2.3 |
*Study manuals and Rule Book (RB) can be purchased in the 4-H office or found here:
See Rule Book pg. 17 for the list of show events and rotation schedule.
Requirements to Show
- TBD
Requirements to Be Eligible for End of Year and Show Awards
- TBD
The purpose of this program is to give 4-Hers an opportunity to exhibit a young horse they have trained. It is intended that the 4-Her be responsible for the primary training effort assisted by individuals with experience starting horses. In-Hand horses are 1–3 years old. Two-Hand horses are 5 years old or younger.
Register on ZSuite.
**See the Utah 4-H Western Horse Rule Book for more information.
**See the Western Horse Program tab for information about Horse Council meetings, Ride Nights, and Education Clinics.
TBD
“The 4-H Horse Program is designed to emphasize youth development. The horse shall be a vehicle that reflects the knowledge and skills learned by its rider.”
Cost: $15 per show
All shows must be registered for on ZSuite one week prior to the show.
- TBD– In-Hand/Two-Hand Show #1
- TBD – In-Hand/Two-Hand Show #2
- TBD – In-Hand/Two-Hand Show #3
In-Hand/Two-Hand Show Patterns
TBD
In-Hand/Two-Hand Show Judges
TBD
Test
The chart below outlines what pages test questions will be from for that particular show based on age group.
| Show | Junior In-Hand | Intermediate/Senior In-Hand | Junior Two-Hand | Intermediate/Senior Two-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Show #1 | Vol. 1 pg 1–33 RB pg 59–63 |
Vol. 1 pg 1–33 Vol. 2 pg 1–32 RB pg 59–63 |
Vol. 1 pg 1–33 RB pg 56–58 |
Vol. 1 pg 1–33 Vol. 2 pg 1–32 RB pg 56–58 |
| Show #2 | Vol. 1 pg 34–55 RB pg 65–67 |
Vol. 1 pg 34–55 Vol. 2 pg 33–53 RB pg 65–67 |
Vol. 1 pg 34–55 RB pg 56–58 |
Vol. 1 pg 34–55 Vol. 2 pg 33–53 RB pg 56–58 |
| Show #3 | Vol. 1 pg 56–64 4-H Biosecurity RB All |
Vol. 1 pg 56–64 4-H Biosecurity Vol. 2 pg 54–73 RB All |
Vol. 1 pg 56–64 4-H Biosecurity RB All |
Vol. 1 pg 56–64 4-H Biosecurity Vol. 2 pg 54–73 RB All |
*Study manuals and Rule Book (RB) can be purchased in the 4-H office or found here:
See Rule Book pg. 17 for the list of show events and rotation schedule.
Requirements to Show
- TBD
Requirements to Be Eligible for End of Year and Show Awards
- TBD
Did you know that you can be involved in Utah 4-H Horse Projects without owning and riding horses? Although most horse enthusiasts would prefer to spend time with living and breathing horses 24/7, participating in horseless activities provides opportunities to learn more about horses, network with horsey peers, develop mastery, and enjoy various activities and fun competitions. The horseless activities do not just promote horse education, but youth also develop valuable life skills and leadership opportunities.
How to join:
- Register as a 4-H member on ZSuite.
- Pick the Horseless Horse Club when registering.
- Attend meetings!
- Education Nights – 6:00–7:00 on the first Thursday of every month @ the Cache County Event Center
- Once-a-month Horseless Horse Clinics – hands-on learning and activities
**Please note: 4-H does not provide horses for riding or offer riding instruction. For riding lessons, please contact an independent riding school or instructor in your area.
Need help finding an instructor? Contact Britney at 801-391-9426 for assistance.
Join us once a month for Youth Council and then a horse education night. Topics and lessons presented by Horse Ambassadors.
When: Every 1st Thursday from 6:00–7:00
Where: Cache County Event Center (South Multipurpose Room)
Horse Color Fun Night!
When: Oct. 20, 2026 @ 5:00–6:00
Where: Cache County Event Center (South Multipurpose Room)
What: Join us for fun and hands-on activities where 4-H members will learn how to identify different horse colors through games, challenges, and creative activities. We’ll test our horse-color knowledge, match horses to their colors, and even design our own dream horse! Come ready to learn, create, and have fun with all things horses! No horse experience is necessary—just bring your enthusiasm!
Hands-on Grooming Skills
When: Nov. 11, 2026
Where: Cache County Fair Grounds Indoor Arena
What: Come learn the basics of grooming horses in this hands-on 4-H activity! Members will meet some 4-H horses and learn how to safely approach, move around, and groom a horse. We’ll explore different grooming tools, learn what each tool is used for, and discover the proper grooming techniques. Then it’s your turn to get hands-on and groom a horse! Be ready to learn, get a little dirty, and have fun with horses!
Face Markings and DIY Horse Ornament
When: December 8, 2026
Where: Cache County Event Center
What: Learn about the different face markings found on horses, including stars, stripes, snips, and blazes. We’ll discover how to identify and describe these unique markings while putting our knowledge to the test with fun activities and games. Then, get creative and make your own horse ornament featuring your favorite face marking! Choose your favorite design, decorate it, and take home a special keepsake.
The Horse Classic events are an opportunity for all youth enrolled in a 4-H horse project to come together and compete in a friendly atmosphere with other horse-loving youth. Contests include:
- Hippology – Teams of 3–4 compete in 4 categories: examination, identification stations, horse judging, and scenarios.
- Horse Bowl – Teams of 4–5 members compete in a fast-paced, game-show-style academic competition where teams compete head-to-head to answer questions about equine science.
- Horse Judging – Instead of riding, teams of 3–4 evaluate groups of horses, rank them from best to worst based on industry standards, and verbally defend their decisions to a judge.
- Horse Presentations – These are public speaking and educational contests where youth research, organize, and present on a topic entirely related to the horse industry. Visual aids, props, and/or posters are encouraged.
- Horse Public Speaking – A formal speech competition where a single youth delivers an informative, persuasive, or motivational speech on an equine topic without using any visual aids, props, or posters.
Education and practice nights are the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Cache County Event Center.
County Contests: April 2027
State Contests: June 9–11, 2027 (State Contests information)
- Newsletters
- County Bylaws
- County Program Guide
- Horse Rule Book (PDF)
- Horse Program Study Guide Volume 1 (PDF)
- Horse Program Study Guide Volume 2 (PDF)
- Horse Project Portfolio Rubric (PDF)
- Youth Rank Advancement Book (PDF)
- Adult Volunteer Rank Advancement (PDF)
- State 4-H Horse Program Website
- In-Hand/Two-Hand Project Registration (PDF)
- Horse Biosecurity