Horsemanship

Horsemanship merit badge requirements

1. Do the following:

   a. Describe the safety precautions you should take when handling and caring for a horse.

   b. Describe the fire safety precautions you should take in a barn and around horses.

2. Name 15 main parts of a horse.
3. Name four breeds of horses. Explain the special features for which each breed is known.
4. Describe the symptoms of colic. Name and describe four other horse health problems.
5. Explain what conformation is and why it is important. Explain the difference between lameness and unsoundness.
6. Explain the importance of hoof care and why a horse might need to wear shoes.
7. Demonstrate how to groom a horse, including picking hooves and caring for a horse after a ride.
8. Explain how to determine what and how much to feed a horse and why the amount and kind of feed are changed according to the activity level and the breed of horse.
9. Do the following:

   a. Name 10 parts of the saddle and bridle that you will use, and explain how to care for this equipment.

   b. Show how to properly saddle and bridle a horse.

   c. Demonstrate how to safely mount and dismount a horse.

10. Explain and demonstrate how to approach and lead a horse safely from a stall, corral, or field and how to tie the horse securely.
11. On level ground, continuously do the following movements after safely mounting the horse. Do them correctly, at ease, and in harmony with the horse:

    a. walk the horse in a straight line for 60 feet.

    b. Walk the horse in a half circle of not more than 16 feet in radius.

    c. Trot or jog the horse in a straight line for 60 feet.

    d. Trot or jog the horse in a half circle of not more than 30 feet in radius.

    e. Halt straight.

    f. Back up straight four paces.

    g. Halt and dismount.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Boy Scout Requirements, 2015 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #620714)

A FREE workbook for Horsemanship is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Horsemanship requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, and Cub Scout workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Archery - Athletics - Climbing - Cycling - Fishing - Fly Fishing - Golf - Horsemanship - Orienteering - Rifle Shooting - Shotgun Shooting - Skating - Small-Boat Sailing - Snow Sports - Sports - Swimming - Water Sports - Whitewater
• Venturing: Quest Award; Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration - Cycling - Equestrian - Fishing - Hunting - Mountaineering - COPE - Shooting Sports - Winter Sports
• Webelos Activity Badge: Aquanaut - Athlete - Sportsman
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Archery - Badminton - Baseball - Basketball - BB-Guns - Bicycling - Bowling - Fishing - Flag Football - Golf - Gymnastics - Ice Skating - Marbles - Roller Skating - Snow Sports - Soccer - Softball - Swimming - Table Tennis - Tennis - Ultimate - Volleyball

• Boy Scout Merit Badges: Art - Chess - Coin Collecting - Collections - Digital Technology - Dog Care - Fishing - Gardening - Genealogy - Golf - Horsemanship - Pets - Photography - Radio - Railroading - Reading - Stamp Collecting
  
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Cave Exploration - Cycling - Equestrian - Fishing
• Webelos Activity Badges: Artist - Traveler
• Cub Scout Belt Loops & Pins: Art - Chess - Collecting - Computers

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many boys have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)