Happiness is 4-H

What do so many children ask for on Christmas? A pony or horse! To better prepare them for horse ownership, have them learn all they can as a member of the Appomattox 4-H Horse & Pony Club.

This club meets at 6 p.m., on the third Monday of each month at Rockin R Ranch, and is open to youth ages 9-19, and you do not need to have a horse to join! Club activities will include, learning about: grooming; showmanship; Horse Bowl and Equismartz practice and participation, attending horse shows, clinics, field trips, and other fun activities.

4-H Animal Science programs provide a wide variety and depth of educational opportunities for youth. Most of which involve working directly with live animals of all types. Some of the most popular animals in this program area include: dogs, cattle, cats, chickens, horses, pigs, rabbits and sheep.

These projects teach:

A. Responsible care and well-being of animals.

B. Life skills like decision-making and communication skills through judging events and oral presentations.

C. Awareness of the practices in animal agriculture.

D. The safe and appropriate use of animal products.

E. Scientific principles.

These programs also allow the youth to practice and demonstrate what they learn at numerous activities like fairs, judging contests, shows, educational bowls and presentation contests.

Another benefit of these programs is that they help youth become aware of career opportunities in the animal agricultural industries which represents 57 percent of the total income from agriculture in Virginia. Virginia’s animal agriculture industries strongly support these program areas.

If you have a child interested in this club, please contact the Extension office at 352-8244 or email 4-H Agent, Bonnie Tillotson at btillots@vt.edu.

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