Hippology

The primary objective of the 4-H Hippology Contests is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H horse projects to demonstrate their knowledge of equine-related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. These contests will provide an educational experience for both participants and spectators. The State 4-H Hippology contest will consist of junior (1-2 contestants) and senior (3-4 contestants) divisions. Contestants must not have participated in official post-secondary competitive events of a similar nature in the same subject matter area. The senior winners are eligible to represent Nebraska at a national or regional hippology contest. The State Hippology contest will consist of various sections to demonstrate the breadth of contestants' knowledge and understanding of equine science and management, as well as the practical application of this knowledge and skill. Various sections may include a written exam, various stations for identification and practical application of knowledge, a judging section (2 halter, 2 performance plus questions), and a problem-solving section. Subject matter may include the following:

  1. Nebraska 4-H Horse Show, Judging Guide, and general knowledge
  2. Equine anatomy and conformation
  3. Horse breeds and colors
  4. Feeds and nutrition
  5. Tack and equipment identification
  6. Ropes and knots identification
  7. Horse aging
  8. Equipment tack use and adjustment
  9. Equine restraints
  10. Horse judging — 2 halter, 2 performance plus questions

Phases

  1. Judging Phase
  2. Written Exam Phase
  3. Station Phase
  4. Team Problem — Sr. Division only

The Contest

Note:

Junior Team — Members may work on the exam and station phase as a team Judging phase and questions will be done independently. Discussion within team members is NOT allowed. Each contestant will turn in a separate judging placing and question answers, scores will be averaged.

Senior Team — Members will work independently on ALL phases (exam, stations, judging and judging questions) independently EXCEPT for team problem.

A. Examination Phase — approximately 200 points — This phase of the contest will include:

  1. A written exam
  2. Projected slides to be identified as to breed, color, color pattern, activity, proper appointments, etc.
  3. Anatomy which may include external, skeletal, internal organs, parts of gastrointestinal tract, male and female reproductive organs, detailed anatomy of the foot and detailed lower limbs.

B. Station Phase (approximately 200 points). This phase will consist of a series of stations or tables where at each, all contestants will respond to the requirements of the station. Stations may include pictures from popular press sources, however the content within the stations will be taken from the approved sources listed at 4h.unl.edu/horse-expo-contests. Members will be allowed 2.5 minutes at each station. Stations may include, but are not limited to:

Identification of:

  • Various types of saddles (actual or pictured) and parts of saddles.
  • Tack, bits, bridles, horse shoes, parts of shoes, restraints, ropes and knots.
  • Tools and equipment, and assembly of specific parts of various pieces of equipment.
  • Grains and forages used in equine rations including various forms or methods of preparation.
  • Internal and external parasites based on actual samples, pictures, life cycle charts and/or damage caused.
  • Blemishes and unsoundnesses.
  • Ages of equines based on teeth.
  • Nutrition and health.
  • Genetics
  • Reproduction
  • Use of pulse rate, respiration rate, temperature, dehydration, anemia, etc. to assess horse health
  • Measurements such as, but not limited to, wither height, show size, girth, collar size, gullet width, seat length of saddle, etc. may be required.

C. Judging Phase — 200 points — Contestants will be required to place at least two (2) conformation classes and at least two (2) performance classes. Questions will be asked on 1 halter and 1 performance class. No oral reasons will be given. Every effort will be made to use the same horses as are being used in the judging contest, with placing to be simultaneous with contestants in the judging contest, with the same official placings and cuts as apply to the judging contest. In extreme emergency, pictorial, video and/or movie classes may be used, in which case they would be especially prepared for the event.

D. Team Problem — Senior Division only — 200 points — All teams will be presented with the same problem(s). Each team will have equal time to discuss among themselves the problem, immediately after which they will have to present an oral solution or series of suggested procedures relative to the problem. Teams will have 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to present. No pre-printed material will be allowed during the 10-minute preparation period. Each member of each team is encouraged to contribute to the oral presentation. Evaluation will be based on the understanding of the problem, completeness of the response, the probability of success of the solution or procedures and the logic used in making the oral response. The official may ask questions of any or all of the team members to clarify the presentation. If notes are used during the team problem, the highest sore that may be recieved is 25 points of the possible 50 points for that problem. If teams go over the 10-minute time limit there will be a penalty of three points per minute over time. Examples of possible team problems might include but are not limited to

  • Balancing a horse's ration.
  • Farm management recommendations for specific horse operations (i.e. breeding, training, boarding, nursery, lay-up, etc.).
  • Considerations for the establishment of a new horse facility (stable to be used for a specific purpose).
  • Recommendations for selecting, locating, and purchasing hroses for specific uses.
  • Behavior problems - causes, management of and corrections.
  • Training and conditioning programs - equipment, schedules, methods, nutrition, problem avoidance.
  • Breeding and/or leasing contracts - specific clauses for insurance, liability, payments, care, termination, transport, etc.
  • Teaching lessons in horse management (specific subject to be announced) to a group of 9 - 11 year old beginner 4-Her's: where, how long, how much information, hands-on experiences, reinforcement, testing evaluation, will be considered.
  • Explanation of use or assembly of specific equipment.
  • Demonstrate skill or ability to use specific equipment.

Team problem scores will not be included in determining the rank of indviduals in the contest, but will be added to the team scores of the other three phases to determine overall team standings.

Awards

Placings will be presented to all teams based on points. The top team will receive a Champion plaque/trophy and purple ribbons; second place team a Reserve Champion plaque/trophy and purple ribbons. All other teams will be presented with ribbons according to points earned.

Tie Breaking

All ties overall, individual and team, will be broken using the following sequence:

  1. Examination scores
  2. Station scores
  3. Judging scores

Ties within any phase are to be broken using the overall score first and then the same sequence as above. If further tie breaking is needed, the scores at each station, in order may be used.

Nebraska 4-H Horse Show & Judging Guide