06/12/2026
The current thing going around for horse people on Facebook about the GAP between 4H and the modern industry in my opinion wants to say that money and expense isn’t a factor. Of course it’s a factor it’s always a factor! I love 4H and I am very sad to see what it has become in my area, but of course it isn’t what it once was. It was someplace where you could and did learn about all kinds of things including community service and what things you liked. I grew up on a farm and I’m pretty sure that I showed just about every animal project. Lots of them to a last place finish because let’s be honest selling my not perfect turkey in the market sale still got me a decent check! The problem now (in my opinion) is there is “show “ everything. Kids can’t take their steer from the feedlot or their pig from the farm or their horse that they have and compete. They are all specialized now those pigs that win look like bodybuilders and there is zero chance that they taste good. There are entire industries built on producing show animals, so yes it’s about money. 4H is supposed to fun and educational but no where did it set out to make the next breed show world champion trainer. Let them have fun classes let them show their horse that isn’t perfect but they love in every class even the ones it doesn’t belong in. In a time when traveling sports start at 6 yrs old and everyone and everything is so competitive and winning driven while the adults say things like I want my kid to enjoy their sport but I have to have 2 jobs and a maxed credit card for them to participate they better take it seriously! It’s not 4H that’s the problem it’s that attitude that’s the problem. Yes horses are expensive, yes it cost just as much to feed the winner as the loser but we all know that the cost of the horse isn’t the problem the cost of everything is the problem. I went to a small open show last weekend 4 classes and my stall $55. 00 my last AQHA show for 4 classes and a stall was $1,000 how is cost not a factor? Let’s be honest about what the real problems are cost is a factor, the specialization is a factor, travel sports are a factor, the ungrateful parents complaining that the leaders aren’t knowledgeable enough is a factor, the armchair quarterbacking on the internet is a factor. Life is short try to enjoy it and for the love of God let the kids enjoy it.
