The Rhinestones & Wranglers 4-H Horse Club members pictured: Laurel Ann Holmes, Carmen Brown, Sidnee Beth Holmes, Ericka Cherene, Katie Vining, Aiden Collins, Alana Florice, Emmy-Lu Marsh, Rodney Bowman and Taylor Brown.

Thirty-one youth, from seven northeast Louisiana parishes, participated in the Northeast 4-H Horse Clinic held on Oct. 9, 2010, at the Tensas Livestock Arena in St. Joseph, La.

Madison Parish boasted 29 4-H members, parents and volunteer leaders participating at the regional clinic. Sponsored by the LSU AgCenter, state and local experts were on hand to guide youth and adults in learning how to treat injuries and check vital health statistics of their horse, improve riding skills, and practice training and communicating with their horses. One 4-H'er said that the best part of the clinic was learning from the instructors and to spend the day with other people and their horses. Another stated that he learned valuable information that he hadn't been exposed to in the past.

4-H youth programs strive to give youth experiences to enhance their sense of belonging, independence, generosity and gain mastery over subject areas. The Rhinestones & Wranglers 4-H Horse Club meets twice monthly on the second and fourth Thursday from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Bar JS Ranch and is open to any interested 4-H member. Horse club members not only learn about horses and horsemanship, they also build leadership, citizenship and communication skills important for all aspects of youth growth and development.

Horse-related educational activities are just one part of the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H youth development programs, which cover a variety of topics ranging from computers to character education, nutrition, photography, public speaking and much more. Through nonformal, research based, experiential education activities, 4-H participants gain knowledge and life skills enabling them to become positive, productive, capable and compassionate members of their communities.

For more information about the 4-H Horse Club, contact Allison and Tim Anderson at 318-574-3613. To learn more about the horse project and other LSU AgCenter programs, contact the Madison Parish Extension Office at 318-574-2465.

The LSU AgCenter is dedicated to providing innovative research, information and education to improve people’s lives. Working in a unique statewide network of parish extension offices, research stations and academic departments, the LSU AgCenter helps Louisiana citizens make the best use of natural resources, protect the environment, enhance agricultural enterprises and develop human and community resources.