Ranch Horse Rule Book
The Montana 4-H Working Ranch Horse project is a heritage-based, activity-rich program designed to pass on to today’s youth the traditional practices of safe livestock handling from horseback. This is not a rodeo project, but instead a practical and exciting opportunity for youth to use horses for handling, sorting and moving cattle.
This project also teaches mounted roping skills as a humane and useful livestock handling tool as well as branding techniques, housing and care of cattle and horses. Like all 4-H projects, Working Ranch Horse members will develop the qualities of leadership and responsibility that come with being engaged in 4-H. In today’s world, managing cattle from horseback is a disappearing tradition. Ranches are increasingly automated, using four-wheelers and other machines instead of horses. Many of the skills once learned for necessity are being lost. The 4-H Working Ranch Horse program is designed to teach and preserve age-old skills and traditions.
4-H Working Ranch Horse classes form the core of the competition. Versatility Ranch Horse classes are optional but may be added to enhance the event.