Boy Scout Horsemanship Merit Badge
In addition to learning how to safely ride and care for horses, Scouts
who earn this merit badge will gain an understanding of the instincts
and behaviors of horses and humane and effective methods for
training horses.
Requirements for the Horsemanship merit badge:
1. Do the following:
a. Describe the safety precautions you should take when handling
and caring for a horse.
b. Explain and demonstrate how to approach and lead a horse safely
from a stall, corral, or field and how to tie the horse securely.
c. Demonstrate how to safely mount and ride a horse and how to
safely dismount a horse after your ride.
2. Name 15 parts of a horse.
3. Name four leading breeds of horses. Explain the special features
for which each breed is known.
4. Show how to care for a Western and English saddle and bridle.
Name 10 parts of the saddle and bridle that you will use.
5. Show how to groom, pick out hooves, prepare a horse for a ride,
and care for a horse after a ride.
6. Describe the symptoms of colic. Describe four other horse health
problems.
7. Name three main conformation faults of the feet and legs, and
explain how to detect them. Explain the difference between
lameness and unsoundness.
8. Explain how to trim and shoe a horse's foot and how to make
adjustments according to its conformation, the season of the year,
and the riding conditions.
9. Demonstrate the right way to feed a horse. Explain how you
determined what and how much to feed the horse and why the
amount and kind of feed will be changed according to activity level
and the kind of horse it is.
10. Show how to saddle and bridle a horse.
11. On level ground, continuously do the following movements. Do
them correctly, at ease, and in harmony with the horse:
a. Mount the horse.
b. Walk the horse in a straight line for 60 feet.
c. Make a half circle of not more than 16 feet in radius.
d. Trot or jog in a straight line for at least 60 feet.
e. Make a half circle of not more than 30 feet in radius at a jog or trot.
f. Halt straight.
g. Back up straight four paces.
h. Halt and dismount.