Horsemanship Program

 

Level I
The Mini

 

 

This level is for 30-minute weekly beginner lesson students. These students are new to our barn, starting small and testing the waters. 

To move up to The Pony: 

  • Can ride independently the whole lesson

  • Can brush the horse independently 

  • Can help with tacking up

  • Can safely start and stop the horse while in the saddle and while leading on the ground. 

  • Can safely trot independently for a short time 

Level II
The Pony

 

This level is for students who are coming to regular weekly lessons and are growing in their knowledge of riding and caring for horses. 

To move up to The Horse:

  • Can brush and tack up independently

  • Can pick horses hooves with help 

  • Can help calm horses when they come in from the pasture 

  • Can safely ride every lesson horse available in the barn

  • Have started to lope 

Level III
The Horse

 

This level is for students who are interested in learning more about horse care, barn life and riding. 

  • You ride more than once a week in lessons

  • You are riding another day of the week, supervised 

  • Have been at the barn for over a year 

  • Have a personal program and goal in mind with the instructor 

  • You know all the horses pretty well 

  • Could bring in horses/put out horses with help 

  • Could do grain with help 

  • You volunteer for the therapeutic riding program 

  • You can do basic chores (clean stalls)

  • You can help with basic events 

To move up to The Draft: 

  • You can catch a horse in the pasture alone 

  • You can lope independently

  • You could do all the chores by yourself 

  • You can pick up on minor changes in the horses and know when to call the vet 

Level IV
The Draft

 

You’re working hard and embracing all aspects of a humble barn life. 

  • You are in the barn for more than just riding 

  • You can ride unsupervised 

  • You can handle every horse in the barn appropriately 

  • You volunteer for the therapeutic riding program 

  • You can get paid to do chores when an instructor/owner is not there 

  • You can help with family lessons and ride for free after 

  • You can help with basic events and ride for free after