What roles do you play in life? Some of you are sons or daughters. Students. Athletes. Brothers or sisters. Babysitters. Friends. How do you act in each of these roles? Do your actions differ when you're with your family compared to your friends? What is your purpose?

What is the purpose of the horse?

Horses have many different roles and are used for many activities. Although many people own horses for pleasure, showing, and trail riding, many horses also have jobs they do every day, just like people. Visit the curriculum website for additional resources at www.4-H.org/curriculum/horse In this activity, you will explore the many different roles horses play in the world.

Using the internet, research different roles of horses - historical or current uses are both fine. Once your research is complete, create a cartoon strip showing a day in the life of horses that do different jobs. It can be funny or serious. Be creative!

The Mane Event

Stable Talk:

Once you have completed the quiz, discuss the following questions:

Horsin' Around (Share what you did)
- What horse role did you pick? Why did you select this horse role?
Bits & Pieces (Process what's important)
- What other horse jobs did you learn about?
Horsepower (Apply to your life)
- How might a horse's job change as it ages?
Galloping Ahead (apply what you learned)
- How else can you learn about jobs for horses and for people?
Riding into the Sunset (Careers)
- What jobs are there for people who want to work with horses? What special qualifications are needed for any of them, and how can you become qualified?

Horse Sense: Horse History

Horses have helped people with work for thousands of years. Horses were used for riding and pulling heavy loads. THey were used in war by the cavalry and to pull cannons and supplies. On farms, horses pulled plows and wagons. They pulled carriages and coaches to transport people and goods. Although machines and cars have replaced horses in many of these roles, you can still find working horses today. Many cities have mounted police officers that ride while on patrol and keep the community safe. Also, horses till pull carriages for tours and recreation. Horses still assist farmers and ranchers with roping and moving cattle. Some horses work in riding stables where they provide lessons to people.

Spur You On:

1. Prepare a speech or demonstration with your cartoon strip and deliver it to your club or a group of friends

2. Research various jobs for horses and write a set of "want ads" seeking horses to apply for jobs. Share with your project helper.

3. Invite a local horse patrol officer or another professional who uses horses to do their job on a daily basis to speak at your next 4H club meeting. Take pictures of him working with his horse and post them to Instagram (Make sure to ask his or her permission first)

4. Identify a movie with a horse as a character. Research how trainers trained the horse to "act" while on the movie set. Share your results with friends and family members.