Our educational programs all have the same goal:  to create happy, safe riders on happy, healthy horses!

We've designed two programs of progressive learning levels to achieve this goal, one for horsemanship (riding) achievement, and one for horse care competency.  Students are awarded ribbons at each level when they can demonstrate the knowledge and skills required for that level.

Scroll down to see an outline of each program, or click one of the following links to download a printable .pdf file:

Learning Levels: Horsemanship

Learning Levels: Horsekeeping
 

Brush, pick hooves, saddle and bridle, with assistance only if necessary.
Mount and dismount independently (with mounting block if needed).
Perform an emergency dismount at the halt and walk.
Demonstrate a pulley rein and a safety seat.
Halt by disengaging pony’s hips (“moving the tail”) from walk, once on each rein.
Perform warm-up stretches independently.
Shorten and lengthen reins correctly.
Drop stirrups and pick up again, without looking down, at the halt.
Ride a round circle at the walk in both directions.
Demonstrate three ways to change direction.
Perform walk-halt transitions, maintaining balanced position.
Ride in 2-point at the walk and over poles.
Ride on the rail at a posting trot, once around in each direction.

Tack and untack independently, in less than twenty minutes.
Adjust stirrups and girth while mounted.
Perform an emergency dismount at the trot.
Halt by disengaging pony’s hips from trot, once on each rein.
Drop stirrups and pick up again, without looking down, at the walk.
Ride a round circle, figure-8, and serpentine at the walk and trot.
Ride on the rail and through changes of direction on the correct diagonal.
Ride posting and sitting trot without stirrups, once around arena.
Ride in 2-point on the flat and over ground poles.
Ride at the trot on the longe without stirrups and reins.
Ride 7-7-7 exercise both along rail, in control, and on longe without reins.
Ride USDF Intro Test A or B with accurate transitions.

Catch pony, tack and untack independently in less than fifteen minutes.
Reinback three steps.
Drop stirrups and pick up again, without looking down, at the trot.
Rate pony’s speed at the walk and trot.
Ride at the trot for five minutes without stirrups, alternating posting and sitting.
Ride at the canter on the rail in both directions, with an awareness of leads.
Ride a large circle at the canter.
Ride a figure-8 at the canter, demonstrating a simple change of lead through the trot.
Ride in 2-point at the canter, on the flat and over a single ground pole.
Ride ground pole course at the trot with correct circles at the start and finish, correct diagonals.
Trot over a grid of trot poles with reins knotted and arms outstretched.
Ride over trot pole grid, followed by small crossrail.
Ride bareback comfortably at the walk and trot, without gripping with hands or knees.

Know and demonstrate four exercises that can be used to improve the seat.
Demonstrate an effective pulley rein by stopping pony from canter.
Ride ring figures at the walk and trot, with correct diagonals, demonstrating a knowledge of aids and initiating bend.
Ride accurate trot/canter transitions.
Ride a 20m circle at the walk, trot, and canter, with correct diagonals and leads.
Ride at the sitting trot, without bouncing.
Ride at the walk, trot and canter without stirrups.
Ride USDF Training Level Test 1 with accurate transitions and ring figures.
Jump a course of 5-7 fences at 18”, at the trot, with good approaches, developing the ability to plan a course.
Ride basic gymnastic grid with solid jumping position, at 2’.
Trot into a related distance and canter out.
Ride in the open, up and down hills and over fences and natural obstacles at the walk and trot.

Ride ring figures at walk, trot, sitting trot, and canter, with diagonals and leads, and pony correctly bending in each direction.
Demonstrate knowledge of 20, 15 and 10m circles and half-circles.
Ride ring figures at the walk, trot and canter without stirrups, with diagonals and leads.
Be able to pick up stirrups at all gaits without looking down.
Demonstrate self-directed, progressive warm-up for flatwork and jumping.
Maintain light contact on the flat, demonstrating long and loose rein when asked.
Jump a course of 6 or more fences at 2’, at the canter, with smooth turns, good approaches and correct leads.
Ride basic gymnastic at 2’6”, with and without reins.
Ride bounce grid, with and without reins and/or stirrups.
Ride in the open in a group, at walk, trot and canter, maintaining control.
Jump 2’-2’6” in the open at the trot and canter.
Demonstrate a galloping position at the walk, trot, and canter.
Ride the hand gallop.

Demonstrate a turn on the forehand.
Demonstrate a leg yield from quarter line to rail, at walk and trot.
Ride accurate trot/halt/trot transitions.
Demonstrate a walk to canter transition, returning to walk with three or fewer steps of trot.
Ride canter to halt in three or fewer steps.
Identify diagonals and leads through feel.
Ride on the longe at walk, trot and canter, without stirrups and reins, performing balancing and suppling exercises.
Ride accurate Novice Test A or B with rhythm, relaxation, balance and bend.
Jump a course of 8 or more fences at 2’6”-2’9”, to include spread and vertical fences, related distances, bending lines, and a combination.
Ride basic gymnastic at 2’9”-3”, with and without stirrups and/or reins.
Jump a variety of Beginner Novice level cross-country fences, to include a coop, water pass-through, bank, and ditch.
Know distances for trot poles and basic gymnastic exercises.
Maintain a galloping position at the walk, trot and canter, for a minimum of five minutes.
Ride at the gallop in the open with control and a strong galloping position.

Demonstrate a leg yield at the walk and trot.
Demonstrate shoulder-in and haunches-in at the walk and trot.
Discuss appropriate use of artificial aids and training devices.
Ride accurate, balanced transitions, including canter-walk-canter and halt transitions.
Demonstrate a self-directed, progressive warm-up for flatwork and jumping, with consideration of mount’s strengths and weaknesses.
Ride on the aids (on a horse with the appropriate level of training).
Discuss basic dressage theory.
Ride a simple change of lead through the walk or a flying change of lead, appropriate to the horse.
Demonstrate lengthening and shortening stride.
Set up and ride over a variety of gymnastic exercises, with and without stirrups and/or reins.
Jump a hunter course, an equitation course, and a show-jumping course at 3’-3’6”.
Ride an Advanced Level equitation pattern on an unfamiliar horse.
Jump a variety of Novice to Training Level cross-country obstacles, showing a strong cross-country position.
Ride in a galloping position over varying terrain, showing a knowledge of pace up to 425 mpm.

Know and discuss safety rules in barn, arena, and pasture.
Catch horse in stall and pasture, with safe technique.
Demonstrate safe leading from near side, both in barn and through doorways/gates.
Demonstrate basic grooming to prepare a horse for a ride.
Know names and functions of basic grooming tools.
Demonstrate picking out hooves safely, with knowledge of reasons for basic hoof care.
Tie horse safely, using an effective quick-release knot.
Know basic parts of the horse, to include: withers, poll, croup, hock, fetlock, etc.
Know basic parts and functions of saddle and bridle.
Know how to store tack correctly, and give at least two reasons for cleaning tack and equipment.
Demonstrate mucking and re-bedding a stall, cleaning stall thoroughly and efficiently.
Know basic feeding principles.
Be able to identify good and bad hay, grain, and water.
Know safe riding attire; demonstrate how to correctly fit a helmet.

Jog horse in hand, with safe technique, as though jogging for soundness.
Clean and condition a saddle, bridle, and girth, knowing reasons for each step.
Reassemble saddle and bridle without assistance.
Correctly apply splint boots, bell boots, and shipping boots. Know what each is used for and which vital areas are protected.
Blanket and remove blanket from horse safely.
Care for a horse after a workout, to include: cooling out, thorough grooming and inspection, feeding and watering.
Know normal TPR range for a horse, and discuss how to take TPR.
Know basic colors and markings.
Know basic categories and breeds of the horse.
Know how to measure a horse for height.
Know feeding principles, to include difference between concentrates and roughage.
Know signs of colic and action to take.
Know which injuries can be handled with minor treatment and which need veterinary attention.

Fit a saddle, bridle (including bit), girth and halter to a horse.
Identify items in equine first aid kit, giving reasons for each item’s use.
Take and record TPR.
Measure a horse for weight and height.
Administer a paste or gel dewormer safely.
Apply a stable bandage.
Know signs of a hoof needing trimming or shoeing.
Know basic stall and pasture management practices to keep horse safe and happy, to include: water, salt, bedding, safe fencing, fly and manure management.
Discuss basic conditioning for horse and rider.
Create a simple calendar showing routine care needed for horse, to include: immunizations, shoeing or trimming, deworming, dental care and Coggins test.
Name five breeds in each of the following categories: sporthorse, draft, gaited, pony, color breeds.
Describe ten riding disciplines (English or Western).
Know safe trail riding practices, including appropriate tack and equipment.

Groom a horse to turnout inspection quality (no braiding necessary).
Know how to adjust different types of tack, including martingale, breastplate, curb chain, etc. Know how to cinch a Western saddle.
Identify different types of bits, to include both snaffle and leverage bits.
Apply a polo wrap and discuss its purpose.
Perform a safety check on a younger rider under supervision.
Perform a pre-trip safety check on a truck or trailer.
Safely load and unload a quiet horse, with assistance.
Know how to treat the following injuries: stone bruise, laceration, puncture wound, abscess, swollen tendon, injured eye.
Discuss internal and external parasites.
Know names and functions of farrier tools used in trimming and shoeing.
Know basic horse movement, to include number of beats in each gait, footfall pattern, faulty movement, and methods of detecting unsoundness.
Name five unsoundnesses.
Discuss reasons for longeing, safe longeing practices and equipment. Demonstrate how to hold and give aids with a line and whip.

Know elementary concepts of equine behavior theory and relate them to 1) riding and training practices, and 2) stable management practices.
Longe a quiet horse for exercise, showing safe technique and consideration of the horse.
Set walk, trot, and canter poles for a selection of three different-sized horses.
Build a basic gymnastic grid for an average 15.2 hh horse.
Apply a shipping bandage.
Wrap a hoof.
Estimate the age of a horse using teeth as a guide; discuss number of teeth, growth, and dental care.
Evaluate a horse’s conformation, listing both good and bad points.
Know basic conformation traits specific to the following breeds: Arabian, Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse, Morgan, Lipizzaner.
Know stable vices, causes and possible remedies.
Know specific immunizations needed for this area and at what frequency.
Identify different types of grains, hays, and supplements.
Discuss correct measurement of feed and suitable feed rations for horses in light, moderate, and hard work; increasing fitness; taking a day off; laid off with an injury; sick.
Create an eight-week conditioning schedule to prepare a horse and rider for a strenuous activity (i.e., horse trial, show jumping competition, fox hunt, etc.).

Groom a horse to turnout inspection quality, to include appropriate hunt or button braids in the mane.
Longe a quiet horse and evaluate performance and movement.
Fit side reins.
Wrap a tail for travel.
Pull a mane.
Identify parts of the horse’s digestive system.
Identify different types of shoes and their uses.
Identify five toxic plants native to this area.
Know location, appearance and treatment of unsoundnesses: strained or bowed tendon, ringbone, sidebone, curb, thoroughpin, bog spavin, bone spavin, navicular.
Describe causes, signs, and treatment of laminitis, choking, thrush, skin conditions.
Name five diseases of the horse and describe symptoms and preventative measures.
Discuss different types and reasons for clipping.
Discuss stable and pasture management, to include: turnout schedules, parasite management, grass management, types of bedding, fencing options, routine facility maintenance, daily care of horses.
Create a budget for keeping a horse for a year, to include: feed and board, routine care, emergency care, tack and equipment, and showing and training expenses.
Know how to select and maintain a trailer and tow vehicle.

Teach a new student Red Level horsekeeping skills.
Wrap a knee and a hock.
Evaluate conformation of a selection of horses, discussing relationship to soundness, movement, and athletic ability.
Design a hunter, show jumping, or equitation course.
Judge a Training Level dressage test.
Give an intramuscular injection.
Thoroughly clean an udder and a sheath.
Know uses and dangers of common equine medications and sedatives.
Know basic equine anatomy, to include: musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and reproductive systems; know what diseases or health conditions affect each system.
Discuss basic disease prevention practices, including management of infectious diseases.
Draw a diagram showing the major bones, ligaments, and tendons in the lower leg.
Discuss methods of conditioning for different activities, such as dressage, eventing, games, endurance riding, etc.
Using a tag from a commercially prepared feed mixture and the Feed Ration worksheet, balance a ration for a horse.
Discuss methods of starting a young horse from the ground up, including ground exercises, longeing, backing, and progressive training.
Draw a diagram of a stable and pasture setup for 1) private 2-horse farm on 5 acres; and 2) commercial boarding and training facility on 20 acres.
Discuss equine disaster planning, to include: fire and storm emergency plans, supplies, and evacuation procedures.

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