Animal education & exhibits

Risk management with animal education & exhibits 

Incorporate the following strategies at fairs and exhibitions, judging team practices/competitions, project trainings and other activities where 4-H members interact directly with animals, to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

1. Be familiar with activities, procedures, and risk strategies associated with the animal science projects.

2. Incorporate safety awareness in project meetings and demonstrate safe practices when showing members how to carry out their project work.

3. Be capable of identifying those project risks that pose the potential for causing accidents, injuries, or disease exposures and implement safety precautions to address them. At a minimum, ensure the following strategies are implemented:

   • Utilize barn superintendents, ring stewards and other positions where there is risk of injury.

   • Restrain animals appropriately for the learning activities.

   • Designate space where animals may be walked, ensuring this is not in the midst of spectators.

   • Place a sturdy barrier (gate or fence) between the public and animals to protect spectators in the event an animal becomes unruly or escapes.

   • If animal behavior threatens the safety of 4-H members, the public or other animals, have the animal removed.

     • The animal may be tied to a secure structure at the side of the show ring/project setting or dismissed from the area. If tied, do not move the animal out of the show ring/project setting until all exhibitors/participants and other animals have been dismissed.

     • If the animal continues to display threatening behavior after being removed from the setting and a reasonable amount of time has passed, instruct the owner to remove the animal from the grounds.

     • The adult responsible for the event (e.g. show management, fairboard, fair veterinarian or Extension employee), has the authority to dismiss an animal from the setting or the grounds.

   • If an animal escapes from its owner or the setting, it should be handled in the following way.

     • Never chase an animal that has escaped as chasing them can cause them to run wildly through crowds, injuring people and damaging property.

     • If the animal is not an immediate threat to people, allow the animal to be alone for 30 minutes to calm down. Twenty minutes is required for the animal's heart rate to return to normal. When the escaped animal has calmed down, it can be quietly moved.

     • Allow only experienced livestock handlers to approach an escaped animal. A panicked horse, steer or bull can be calmed when it hears its owner's familiar voice.

4. Ensure all animals meet state health regulations (website) established by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health (MBAH).

5. Take appropriate safety measures (e.g., safe stalls/pens, sanitary conditions, fresh water) if animals are being co-mingled from different farms/herds/homes.

6. Immediately report any injuries to humans or animals to the Local Extension Educator.

7. Share risk-reduction strategies included on this information sheet with 4-H members, families, other volunteers, and the public.

Cloverbud policy with animals

Cloverbud participation is restricted when working with animals for several reasons including the safety of the 4-H member and liability of the organization.

This Cloverbud policy applies to all educational programs and exhibitions. Review the Cloverbud Volunteer Leader Guide or request a copy from the Local Extension Educator. The guide includes the philosophy, policies and guidelines for cloverbud involvement in the 4-H program, including the rules for the safe interactions of Cloverbuds and animals.

• A responsible person must be with the cloverbud to guide and monitor their involvement at all times; refer to the information sheet for definitions of "responsible person," "at all times," and "control."

• It is not acceptable to use more than one lead rope or halter with any animal as this turns at least some control over to the cloverbud.

Tips to share with 4-H members

Exhibitor safety

Help 4-H members learn practices that will keep them safe when exhibiting animals.

1. Wear appropriate protective clothing, footwear, head gear and safety gear while caring for, showing and/or riding an animal.

2. Approach all animals with caution and concentrate on the animal throughout the interaction, watching carefully for any signs of agitation.

3. Work with the animal independently to ensure the 4-H member’s readiness and the animal's readiness to be in a public setting.

4. Be aware of potential hazards.

   • Do not walk animals in the midst of the public.

   • Do not enter pens with large animals (other than your own) unless the animals are restrained by a halter or stanchion.

   • When animals are not being exercised or shown, restrain animals properly.

     • Keep large animals in pens or use a halter or stanchion to restrain.

     • Small animals (poultry, rabbits) should be kept in cages.

     • Dogs must be leashed and may be muzzled.

     • Keep small pets (cats, hamsters, reptiles, etc.) in carriers, cages, etc.

Health & safety of the animal

Help 4-H members learn how to incorporate preventative measures to minimize the risk of disease and keep animals healthy.

1. Animals brought to public settings should meet or exceed all health requirements established by the state veterinarian. Leave unhealthy or contagious animals at home.

2. Be as consistent as possible with an animal's normal schedules and care.

3. High standards of nutrition, water, health, sanitation, environment and safety must be met at all times.

   • Use only containers from the home location when providing food and fresh water.

   • Keep housing facility clean of manure and waste bedding.

   • Use only personal barn cleaning equipment such as pitch forks, shovels, etc. and keep them clean. Avoid sharing equipment with other participants.

   • Change or wash clothing worn at the educational program or exhibition before working with other animals at home.

4. Transport all animals to and from the educational program or exhibition in accordance with all humane transport regulations and standards.

   • Load and unload animals using proper equipment and procedures.

   • All animals must meet health regulations established by the MNBAH when being transported.

5. Treat and handle animals in a responsible manner. The well-being of the animals must take precedence over the demands of owners, sellers, buyers, organizers, sponsors and officials.

6. Prepare animals with proper training, fitting and grooming. Excessive disciplining of animals is unacceptable.

7. Provide adequate training for anyone handling your animal. Untrained individuals, including fair personnel and visitors, should not be permitted to handle animals or equipment.

8. Take every opportunity to enhance public awareness, education and appreciation of proper livestock management and handling practices.

   • Discourage spectators from petting or feeding your animals. If they do, encourage them to wash their hands.

   • Be on board for visitors that might intend harm to exhibited animals and report suspicious people or activities to the show security.

9. When animals return to their home location:

   • Isolate them from other animals on your farm for at least two weeks.

   • Thoroughly clean equipment and trailer. Remove all soil and manure, clean with soap, rinse to remove soap, and then disinfect.

Horse policies & practices

Many of the strategies, tips for member safety and animal health listed above apply to the horse project.  Additional horse policies and practices for project trainings/clinics, trail rides, parades and exhibitions such as fairs and fun shows are listed below.

Cloverbuds & horse

• A Cloverbud may sit on the back of the horse as long as the horse is on a lead and a responsible person is in control of the horse at all times.

• See Cloverbud Leader Guide for additional information. 

Required use of helmets

1. All 4-H members and adults participating in any Minnesota 4-H educational program or exhibition are required to wear a properly fastened ASTM/SEI approved protective headgear when mounted on a horse.  See MN 4-H helmet policy.  

   • Accidents such as a fall from a horse could pose a threat of concussion. To help ensure the health and safety of 4-H members learn how to prevent, recognize and respond to a potential concussion. See the CDC guide on concussions (website). 

   • A 4-H member who shows symptoms of concussion should be removed from the activity or exhibition.

2. 4-H members and Minnesota 4-H Volunteers must use a saddle when participating in 4-H educational programs and exhibitions.

3. Educational programs and exhibitions may not include classes that involve riding bareback or riding double.

Western Heritage

• Events may only be held at the regional or state level and must be conducted by a Western Heritage certified instructor.

• 4-H members who wish to participate in a 4-H Western Heritage, including practicing in a group setting at the local level and/or participating in a regional/state event, must attend and successfully complete a 4-H safety clinic conducted by a Western Heritage certified instructor. 4-H members are only eligible to compete in those events in which they have been certified and the horse has been certified; certification is required yearly and occurs during the 4-H safety clinic.

Trail rides

• If a trail ride is sponsored by 4-H and parents/guardians are participating with their children:

  • Special activities insurance must be purchased

  • A waiver form must be completed by all participants in the event, including currently enrolled 4-H members; obtain this from the Local Extension Educator.

• The DNR provides information on trail riding safety and trail etiquette (website). 

Horses in parades

1. The horse must be ridden by a 4-H member or Minnesota 4-H Volunteer. Friends or youth who are not members of 4-H may not ride a horse in a parade representing 4-H.

2. 4-H members and Minnesota 4-H Volunteers must wear a helmet as representatives of 4-H. Read the MN 4-H helmet policy.

3. Only one person may be on a horse; no double riders.

4. The horse must be controlled through the use of a bridle and reins.

5. Additional policies and practices for parades can be found on the “Parades Information Sheet”.

Additional resource

If the county 4-H program holds a petting zoo, refer to the petting zoo information for details. 

Contact

Pat Morreim, program manager, morre002@umn.edu, 763-427-5428