2026 Impact Highlight
Pueblo County, Southern Region
Building Safe and Confident Youth Through Horse 101 Training
Pueblo County 4-H experienced an increase in first-year youth enrolling in the 4-H horse project, with 14 new participants joining for the 2025–2026 program year. Many of these members entered with limited experience in horse handling, creating a need for structured, early-season training to reduce safety risks and support positive youth development. Establishing a consistent foundation in safe horse-handling practices was essential to ensure participant well-being and long-term engagement in the program.
Pueblo County 4-H developed and implemented a comprehensive Horse 101 Safety Training to establish consistent safety expectations across the entire horse project. While designed to support new members, the training was delivered to all participants to ensure uniform understanding of safe horse-handling practices. The program partnered with six senior horse project youth to co-design and co-teach the curriculum, strengthening peer learning and leadership development.
The training included hands-on instruction in safety protocols, basic equine behavior, grooming and handling techniques, and emergency response procedures, integrating experiential learning with mentorship.
All horse project members participated in the Horse 101 training, with 14 new members gaining a foundational set of safety knowledge and skills. Post-program evaluation showed 85% of participants indicated they learned new skills they could implement in their project. The involvement of six senior youth enhanced program delivery while expanding leadership and teaching experience. The initiative improved overall project readiness, supported safer interactions with horses, and increased engagement. Delivering consistent information to all members strengthened shared expectations and reinforced continuity of knowledge across the program.
By prioritizing safety education and youth leadership development, Pueblo County 4-H strengthened the quality and sustainability of its horse project. The Horse 101 training reduced potential safety risks, improved participant preparedness, and fostered mentorship skills that contribute to long-term youth success. This model supports safer community programs while building transferable life skills such as responsibility, communication, and leadership.