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LEARN MORE ABOUT

Green Level

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Green Level

Green Level is the third Learning Level

Green Level has two tracks: one in the mounted Horsemanship curriculum and one in the unmounted HorseSense curriculum.

In mounted lessons, Green Level students learn to ride the canter or lope, and begin to understand the importance of fitness and balance for both horse and rider.

Unmounted lessons add expanded detail to many of the concepts introduced in previous Levels, and introduce important new horse care skills.

We consider Green Level knowledge and horse care skills to be the minimum requirement for anyone who rides outside of lessons, whether or not they own/lease a horse.

See learning objectives for GREEN LEVEL - English riding
See learning objectives for GREEN LEVEL - Western riding

Scroll down to learn more about teaching Green Level lessons.

Green Horsemanship Learning Canter

What you can teach in Green Level?

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Horsemanship

GREEN LEVEL HORSESENSE

GREEN LEVEL HORSESENSE

The Green HorseSense Level expands the student’s knowledge of equine health and safety with basic first aid and stable management practices, conditioning for horse and rider, and rules for safe trail riding.

The Green Level HorseSense Study Guide is the “textbook” for this Level, giving students detailed information for every objective. If your schedule doesn’t include dedicated unmounted lessons, you can use this guide to get beginner horse care information to your students.

You’ll find a few ideas for teaching Green HorseSense lessons in this Boss Mares post: Unmounted Lessons Your Students Will Love.

Hs Green

The lessons taught in Green Level HorseSense are appropriate for...

  • students who have completed Yellow Level HorseSense.
  • participants in your specialty clinics (e.g., Bandaging or Horse Care).
  • enthusiastic unmounted students ready to learn more about horse care, breeds and riding disciplines.
  • students (and parents!) who own or lease a horse - or may consider doing so.
  • students who ride outside of lessons on trails or in hunter paces.
  • interns, working students, or anyone else who could be responsible for your horse's welfare in your absence.

Students who learned basic terminology and safety rules in Red and Yellow Levels can now apply that knowledge to Green Level hands-on skills:

  • Students create annual schedules of horse care tasks.
  • They practice bandaging and evaluating tack fit.
  • They learn to administer oral dewormers, and to measure a horse's height, weight and vital signs.
  • They identify items in an equine first aid kit.

LEVELS TOPICS include bandaging, breeds and breed types, conditioning, ground handling, hoof care, mounted safety, parasite control, riding disciplines, stable and facility management, tack, and vet and health care.

GREEN LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

GREEN LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

The Green Horsemanship Level is a beginner level, designed to further develop students’ basic flatwork skills while introducing cantering/loping and riding over obstacles.

Students learn to evaluate safe riding conditions for their mounts and to recognize their influence on the horse’s movement and behavior.

The Green Level Horsemanship Study Guide is the “textbook” for this Level, giving students detailed information for every objective. (Western version is in the Pipeline!)

You’ll find tips in this Boss Mares post: 5 Secret Goals for Teaching Green Level Horsemanship.

Greenhm Momo

Green Level is appropriate for teaching students in group or private riding lessons who...

  • have completed Yellow Level Horsemanship.
  • have confidence and control at the trot or jog, and are ready to learn the canter or lope.
  • are eager to apply their skills to new challenges, such as barrel racing or jumping small crossrails.
  • are participants in clinics or camps for more advanced beginners.

LEVELS TOPICS include flatwork skills, gaits and movement, ground handling, jumping skills, mounted safety and tack.

Green Level students acquire a solid base of support at the first three gaits, while learning to consider their own influence on the horse and their responsibility for the horse’s welfare:

  • Students learn to ride the canter or lope with an awareness of leads.
  • They improve balance and physical fitness by riding bareback and trotting or jogging without stirrups.
  • They learn to negotiate obstacles on horseback, such as ground poles, an 18" crossrail (English) or a barrel pattern (Western).
  • They understand the need to develop a strong, balanced position before more advanced riding.
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Find Green Level downloads in the RESOURCE CENTER

Or learn about another Level...

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GREEN LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Green Horsemanship: The Green Horsemanship Level is a beginner level, designed to further develop students’ basic skills and independence on the flat. Green Level introduces cantering on the rail and through simple figures, along with a small jump, and emphasizes the need to develop a strong, balanced position in preparation for riding over fences.

  • Demonstrate ability to safely catch horse in both stall and field.
  • Prepare for a lesson independently in fifteen minutes or less.
  • Discuss procedure for warm up, cool down; with consideration of weather, footing, fitness level of horse.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- Reinback
    -- Rating speed at walk and trot
    -- Large circle at canter
    -- Change of direction with simple change at canter
  • Ride at the canter on the rail in both directions, demonstrating both light and full seat.
  • Demonstrate awareness of leads.
  • Ride at the trot for a minimum of five minutes without stirrups, alternating posting and sitting.
  • Drop stirrups and pick up again, without looking down, at the trot.
  • Ride in 2-point at the canter, on the flat and over a single ground pole.
  • Trot over a grid of trot poles with reins knotted and arms outstretched.
  • Ride ground pole course at the trot with smooth turns, good approaches, correct diagonals.
  • Jump a single crossrail, not to exceed 18”.
  • Ride bareback confidently at the walk and trot, balancing independently of hands.

GREEN LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Green HorseSense: Student will be able to assess fit of tack; to identify basic first aid equipment; to understand concepts of conditioning for horse and rider; to apply simple bandages; to understand elementary stable management principles and routine horse care; to identify common breeds and riding disciplines.

  • 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.
  • Describe ten riding disciplines (English or Western).
  • Name five breeds in each of the following categories: sporthorse, draft, gaited, pony, color breeds.
  • Discuss safe trail riding practices, including appropriate tack and equipment.
  • Discuss basic conditioning for horse and rider.
  • Know signs of a hoof needing trimming or shoeing.
  • Know basic stall and pasture management practices to keep horse safe and happy, to include:
    -- Provision for water, forage
    -- Shelter and living arrangements
    -- Fly and manure management
    -- Seasonal considerations
  • Create a simple calendar showing routine care needed for horse, to include: immunizations, shoeing or trimming, deworming, dental care and Coggins test.

GREEN LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Green Horsemanship: The Green Horsemanship Level is a beginner level, designed to further develop students’ basic skills on the flat while preparing them for more advanced riding skills. Green Level introduces riding at the lope as well as the cloverleaf barrel pattern, encouraging students to ride with increased balance and accuracy.

  • Demonstrate ability to safely catch horse in both stall and field.
  • Prepare for a lesson independently in fifteen minutes or less.
  • Discuss procedure for warm up, cool down; with consideration of weather, footing, fitness level of horse.
  • Ride the lope on the rail, in both directions.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- Reinback
    -- Rating speed at walk and jog
    -- Large circle at lope
    -- Change of direction at the lope with simple change of lead
  • Demonstrate awareness of posting diagonals, including change of diagonal when changing rein.
  • Demonstrate awareness of leads.
  • Ride at the jog for a minimum of five minutes without stirrups, alternating posting and sitting.
  • Drop stirrups and pick up again, without looking down, at the jog.
  • Lope over a single ground pole.
  • Jog over a grid of poles with reins knotted and arms outstretched.
  • Ride barrel pattern at the jog, both sitting and posting.
  • Ride bareback confidently at the walk and jog, balancing independently of hands.

GREEN LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Green HorseSense: Student will be able to assess fit of tack; to identify basic first aid equipment; to understand concepts of conditioning for horse and rider; to apply simple bandages; to understand elementary stable management principles and routine horse care; to identify common breeds and riding disciplines.

  • Fit a saddle, bridle (including bit), cinch 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.
  • Describe ten riding disciplines (English or Western).
  • Name five breeds in each of the following categories: sporthorse, draft, gaited, pony, color breeds.
  • Discuss safe trail riding practices, including appropriate tack and equipment.
  • Discuss basic conditioning for horse and rider.
  • Know signs of a hoof needing trimming or shoeing.
  • Know basic stall and pasture management practices to keep horse safe and happy, to include:
    -- Provision for water, forage
    -- Shelter and living arrangements
    -- Fly and manure management
    -- Seasonal considerations
  • Create a simple calendar showing routine care needed for horse, to include: immunizations, shoeing or trimming, deworming, dental care and Coggins test.
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We’ve been blessed with many talented photographers over the years: students who voluntarily stood in sweltering/ freezing arenas, capturing lifelong memories of lessons, camps and shows. We’re grateful to all of them!

One former student, Delaney Witbrod, is now a professional photographer with a gift for animal portraits – see more of her fine work here. We’re also grateful for photos of Western riding donated by LLPro instructors – particularly Bit of Pleasure Horse School and Joyful Hearts Photography!

You’ll find illustrations throughout our online courses and printed materials graciously donated by our friend Rhonda Hagy. Evan Surrusco contributes additional illustrations and handles most of our photo processing. Contact us for information about their work.

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