North Carolina 4-H Presentation Guidelines: Horse Public Speaking
Purpose/Objectives:
- Acquire skills, confidence and poise in speaking to groups by the use of an interesting and familiar topic.
- Expand 4-H member's horse knowledge and increase their research and study techniques.
- Teach 4-H'ers how to organize thoughts and express ideas in a logical and concise manner.
- Increase 4-H'ers knowledge and control of the English language in expressing ideas.
- Reward and recognize 4-H members for accomplishments they have made in a friendly and competitive atmosphere.
Eligibility:
- Each contestant must be an actual 4-H club member interested in horses. Members are not eligible, however, to participate in a horse public speaking contest if by the date of the district contest they will have participated in official post secondary competitive events of a similar nature in the same subject matter area. Neither can the participant be undergoing preparation for such an event. Participants do not need to own their own horses.
- The horse public speaking contest will be divided into 9-10, 11-13 and 14-18 divisions. Each county will be allowed to enter two (2) individual's in each division in district competition during District Activity Days. The winners in 9-10, 11-13 and 14-18 divisions in each district will compete in the state finals which will be held during the STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW. District Activity Day rules will apply to participation in other activities.
- The state winner and runner-up in the 14-18 division will be eligible to represent North Carolina in the Southern Regional contest. The state winning 14-18 division individual will be eligible to represent North Carolina in other national contests if such contests are offered in accordance with the rules of those contests. The state is not responsible for providing expenses to these contests but will attempt to assist.
- Previous state winners of the 9-10 division will be ineligible for future junior division competition in horse public speaking. Previous 14-18 division state winners or participants in the Southern Regional or national contests are ineligible for further competition. Previous state winners in any age division are ineligible to compete in the same division of Horse Public Speaking.
Resources:
North Carolina 4-H Horse Program Rules and Regulations Manual. 1995. 4-H 0- 5-19. Pages 93-96.
N.C. 4-H Horse Presentation Score Sheet. Extension Horse Husbandry, NCSU, Box 7523, Raleigh, NC 27695-7523. Phone: 919/515-5784; Fax: 919/515-8518.
Public Speaking and You (4H M-1-34) will be helpful in preparing youths for this contest. Available from the office of 4-H and Youth Development at North Carolina State University.
Rules/Regulations:
- Speeches must pertain to any area of the horse industry.
- Notes may be used. Speakers should not read their speeches or give speeches which sound memorized. No visual aids or posters are allowed. References should be cited at the conclusion of the speech prior to questions.
- A public speech must be a minimum of 4 minutes (9-10, 11-13) or 8 minutes (14-18); and not longer than 10 minutes. One point will be deducted per judge for each minute, or fraction thereof, under 4 minutes (9-10, 11-13) or 8 minutes (14-18) or over 10 minutes.
- Speeches will be judged on the following basis:
Choice of Material (10 points)
Organization (15 points)
Content & Accuracy (20 points)
Stage Presence (15 points)
Delivery (20 points)
General (10 points)
Conclusion (10 points)
See NC 4-H Presentation Regulations.
Presentation Ideas:
SUGGESTED TOPICS OR IDEAS FOR HORSE DEMONSTRATIONS, ILLUSTRATED TALKS, PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST OR CLUB MEETINGSBreeding:
Selecting a Broodmare or Stallion
Important Points in a Breeding Contract
Types of Breeding Systems
How to Tease Mares
Breeding Records
Solving Breeding Problems
Handling and Equipment for Breeding
Care of Mare and Foal
Artificial Insemination
Fertility or Disease
Management Practices for Broodmares
Anatomy and Function of Reproductive Tract
Feeding:
What to Look for in Good Quality Hay
Nutrients-- How They are Used and Supplied
Nutrient Requirements
Balancing a Horse Ration
Digestive Organs in the Horse
How to Select a Supplement
Vitamin Requirements
Feed Management Practices
Pasture Selection, Renovation and/or Fertilization
Types of Pasture
Poisonous Plants
Health:
Vaccination Program
Control of Internal Parasites
Control of External Parasites
Founder -- Cause and Treatment
Colic -- How to Recognize, Treat and Prevent
Azoturia or Typing-Up
Sleeping Sickness -- What It Is and How to Prevent It
Respiratory Diseases
How to Recognize a Sick Horse
What to Know Before Calling
Your Veterinarian
How to Bandage a Horse
Emergency First Aid
What is Needed in a First Aid Kit (Barn, Trailer, Breeding Farm)
How to Treat a Leg Injury (Splint, Bowed Tendon, Muscle Sprain, Cut)
Fistula Withers -- Cause, Treatment and Prevention
Thrush -- Recognize, Treatment and Prevention
Swamp Fever
Dummy Foal
Epiphysitis -- Cause and Treatment
How to Locate an Injury
How to Determine Lameness
How to Give an Injection
Deworming Methods
Management:
Facilities Required
Medicating the Untrained or Stubborn Horses
Design Farm or Barn
Stall Requirements, Shelter, Bedding
How to Determine the Horse's Age
Make a Measuring Stick and Show How to Measure Horses
How to Prepare a Yearling for Sale
Types of Fences for Horse Pasture
Clipping the Problem Horse
Trimming the Horse's Feet Correctly
Trailer Safety
How to Keep Records on a Horse Farm Care of the Newborn Foal
Shoeing -- When to Shoe, Shoe Selection, Corrective Shoeing
Horseman's Knots -- How and When to Use Them
Selection:
Conformation as it Relates to Athletic Ability
Important Points in Buying a Horse
Specific Discussion on a Structural
Unsoundness -- Bench Knees, Parrot Mouth, Etc.
How to Evaluate and Compare
Horses Objectively
How to Organize and Give Oral Reasons
How to Judge a Working Hunter Class, Western Pleasure, Reining, Etc.
Anatomy of the Front Leg
Anatomy of the Foot
Anatomy and Function of the Eye
Training:
How to Catch, Halter and Lead a Horse
How and Where to Tie a Horse
Teaching A Foal to Lead
Vices and How to Prevent Them
Loading Problem Horses
Selecting the Proper Bit
Breaking a Young Horse
Bitting Rigs
How to Train a Horse to Rein, Stop, Jump, Etc.
Training a Western Pleasure Horse, Reining, Hunter, RaceHorses, Etc.
Rider Aids
When and How to Use Draw Reins, Tiedowns, Etc.
Genetics:
Registration Papers -- How to Complete What They Say
Coat Colors or Markings --How to Differentiate
Genetics of Coat Color
Genetics of Speed, Conformation, Evolution of the Horse
History of Quarter Horses
Linebreeding -- Why
Crossbreeding -- Is It Helpful
Genetic Defects
Showing:
Discuss Attire for a Specific Riding Style
Show and Discuss Riding Seat (Saddle, Hunt or Stock)
Tips for Showmanship
Grooming a Horse Correctly
What is Judged in Western Riding, English Pleasure, Etc.
How to Thin Manes and Tails
How to Braid Horses
Selecting the Correct Saddle to Fit
Organizing or Conducting a Horse Show
Miscellaneous:
Discuss a Riding Event -- Fox Hunting, Endurance Races, Steeple Chases, Racing, Competitive Trail Riding, Polo, Etc.
How to Fix a Bridle, Halter, or Saddle
Making Your Own Equipment (Bridle, Blankets, Halter, Etc.)
History and Attributes of Morgans
Horse Psychology
How to Photograph Horses
How to Build A Creep Feeder
How to Restore, Clean, and Preserve Leather
Methods of Horse Identification
Judging:
- Judge's will review and critique each presentation prior to announcing the State winners.
- The N.C. Horse Program Horse Public Speaking Score Card will be used. (Special Score Sheet).
- Judge's will be instructed to ask questions pertaining specifically to the topic. The audience is prohibited from asking questions. Question time will not be counted toward the allotted time period.
Awards:
- District Winners: District award is a certificate for each winning individual or team.
- State Winners: 9-10, 11-13 is an award. 14-18 receives travel scholarship to National Contest.
Donors: Wake County 4-H Horse Council/ Steven's Milling Company
Specialist:
Dr. Bob MowreyNCSU, Box 7523
Raleigh, NC 27695-7523
Phone: 919/ 515-5784
Fax: 919/ 515-8518
Bob_Mowrey@ncsu.edu
