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LEARN MORE ABOUT

Purple Level

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Purple Level

Purple Level is the sixth Learning Level

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

The Purple Horsemanship Level is an intermediate level, designed to reward patient practice by introducing more challenging flatwork exercises, and to emphasize the importance of rider fitness and balance in all mounted activities.

Purple Level HorseSense students begin to study different facets of equine management in depth, resulting in a foundation of knowledge that can be used to become a responsible rider, trainer or horse owner.

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

Scroll down to learn more about teaching Purple Level lessons.

Purplehs Leg Yieldt

What you can teach in Purple Level?

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HorseSense
Horsemanship

PURPLE LEVEL HORSESENSE

PURPLE HORSESENSE

Purple HorseSense students should demonstrate a genuine desire to become informed in all aspects of horse management, putting the horse’s welfare first and foremost.

They will incorporate detailed equine knowledge in their horse care practices and develop skills to become lifetime learners, actively learning through repeated practice, discussion, and independent study.

The Purple Level HorseSense Study Guide is the “textbook” for this Level, giving students helpful information for every objective.

Help your students set S.M.A.R.T. goals  that support their commitment to Purple Level by sharing this goal-setting post, written by our riding school’s veteran school horse: Six Ways to Make Your Horsey Dreams Come True.

Purple Level HorseSense student holding well-groomed horse with braided mane

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

  • students who have completed Orange Level HorseSense.
  • students in mounted lessons who need to learn show groooming and turnout.
  • students (and parents!) who plan to keep horses independently, at home or in a self-care boarding facility.
  • participants in specialty clinics (e.g., Show Grooming, Veterinary or Farrier Care, etc.).
  • interns, working students, or anyone else who could be responsible for your horse's welfare in your absence.
  • students considering a career in the equine industry.

Not all recreational students will achieve a Purple ribbon – this Level requires hours of study, critical thinking, and hands on practice!

Purple Level students must show a depth of understanding that would allow them to teach a subject or put it into practice:

  • Students demonstrate show-quality grooming and braiding.
  • They practice more advanced bandaging techniques.
  • They evaluate longeing performance.
  • They learn more advanced concepts of equine farrier and veterinary care.
  • They identify daily horse management practices and safety issues related to trailering.
  • They construct budgets and understand the economic realities of horse ownership.

LEVELS TOPICS include bandaging, grooming, ground handling, hoof care, parasite control, stable/facility management, trailer safety, unsoundnesses, vet and health care.

PURPLE LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

PURPLE LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

Our goal for Purple Level students is for them to acquire the secure seat and coordinated use of aids necessary for more advanced riding, while gaining confidence and experience in a variety of English or Western riding disciplines.

Students must to learn how to work toward a goal with a commitment to self-directed practice — and to trust the magic of consistent, repetitive training.

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

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

About Purplehm

Purple Level is appropriate for teaching students in group or private riding lessons who:

  • have completed the Orange Horsemanship Level.
  • are dedicated equestrians eager to move past the basics and develop intermediate skills.
  • are prepared to set realistic, achievable goals - then make a commitment to improving their fitness, working hard in lessons, and actively learning and practicing on their own.
  • ride with confidence and control in the open at a canter or lope.
  • are preparing for schooling show classes, lower-level events, extended trail rides or hunter paces.
  • may be interested in riding, training, and/or working in the equine industry long-term.

LEVELS TOPICS include cross-country skills, dressage, flatwork, jumping skills, and mounted safety.

Not all recreational students will achieve a Purple ribbons. This Level requires hours of practice and, for the average rider, an increased commitment to fitness.

Purple Level students should be able to demonstrate these skills consistently:

  • Students ride with increased feel, accuracy, bend and balance through precise ring figures and transitions.
  • They begin practicing simple lateral exercises such as leg yield or sidepass.
  • They develop the timing and coordinated aids required to ride direct transitions between gaits.
  • They complete a USEA Novice Test (English) or a WDAA Basic Test (Western).
  • They demonstrate knowledge of correct distances and ride a variety of gymnastic exercises, with and without stirrups and/or reins.
  • Western riders develop the balance necessary to lope over poles and very small jumps without stirrups and/or reins.
  • English riders jump a 2’6” course that includes spread and vertical fences, related distances, bending lines, and a combination; they also jump a small course without stirrups.
  • They ride at the gallop in the open with control and a strong galloping position. English riders jump a variety of Beginner Novice level cross-country fences; Western riders negotiate trail obstacles.
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PURPLE LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Purple Horsemanship: The Purple Horsemanship Level is an intermediate level, requiring committed practice and refinement of both dressage and jumping positions. Purple Level students should acquire the secure seat and coordinated use of aids necessary for more advanced riding, while gaining confidence and experience in a variety of English riding disciplines.

  • Ride on the longe line at walk, trot and canter, without stirrups/ reins, performing balancing and suppling exercises.
  • Identify diagonals and leads through feel.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- 20m, 15m and 10m circles at walk and trot
    -- 20m, 15m and 10m half-circles at walk and trot
    -- Simple change of lead on a straight line
    -- 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.
  • Ride USEA Novice Test A or B, demonstrating accuracy, forward rhythm, steady contact, correct bend on circles and through corners.
  • Know distances for trot poles and basic gymnastic exercises.
  • Ride a variety of gymnastic exercises up to 2’9”, with and without stirrups and/or reins.
  • Jump a course (minimum of 8 fences) at 2’6”, to include spread and vertical fences, related distances, bending lines, and a combination.
  • Jump a small course (5 to 6 fences) at 2’ without stirrups.
  • 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.
  • Jump a variety of Beginner Novice level cross-country fences, to include bank, ditch, trot or canter through water.

PURPLE LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Purple HorseSense:  Student will be able to understand and demonstrate show-quality grooming; to apply more advanced bandaging techniques; to evaluate longeing performance; to understand more advanced concepts of equine farrier and veterinary care; to identify daily horse management practices and safety issues related to trailering; to understand the economic realities of horse ownership.

  • Groom a horse to turnout inspection quality, to include appropriate hunt or button braids in the mane.
  • Thoroughly clean an udder and a sheath.
  • Longe a quiet horse and evaluate performance and movement.
  • Fit side reins.
  • Pull a mane.
  • Apply a shipping bandage.
  • Wrap a tail for travel.
  • Know how to select and maintain a trailer and tow vehicle.
  • Identify different types of shoes and their uses, to include traction devices such as borium and studs.
  • Identify a minimum of five toxic plants native to this area.
  • Know location, appearance and treatment of unsoundnesses: navicular, splints, strained or bowed tendon, ringbone, sidebone, curb, bone spavin, capped hock. Discuss blemishes such as windpuffs and bog spavin.
  • Describe causes, signs, and treatment of laminitis/founder, tying up, choking, ulcers, thrush, skin conditions.
  • Name five diseases of the horse and describe symptoms and preventative measures.
  • Discuss stable and pasture management, to include:
    -- Turnout schedules
    -- Parasite management
    -- Grass management
    -- Different options for fencing and bedding
    -- Routine facility maintenance
    -- Daily care of horses
  • Create a budget for keeping a horse for a year, to include: feed and board, routine health care, emergency care, tack and equipment, and showing and training expenses.

PURPLE LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Purple Horsemanship: The Purple Horsemanship Level is an intermediate level, requiring committed practice and increased fitness through challenging arena and trail exercises. Purple Level students should acquire the secure seat and coordinated use of aids necessary for more advanced riding, while gaining confidence and experience negotiating a variety of Western obstacles.

  • Ride on the longe line at all three gaits, without stirrups/reins, performing balancing and suppling exercises.
  • Identify posting diagonals and leads through feel.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- 20m, 15m and 10m circles at walk and jog
    -- Simple change of lead on a straight line
    -- Leg yield, from quarter line to rail, at walk and jog
    -- Sidepass
  • Ride direct transitions between the jog, halt and reinback.
  • Demonstrate a walk to lope transition, returning to walk with three or fewer steps of jog.
  • Ride lope to halt in three or fewer steps.
  • Ride WDAA Basic Test 3, demonstrating accuracy, forward rhythm, light contact, correct bend on circles and through corners.
  • Set poles for walk, jog and lope, demonstrating knowledge of stride length and distances.
  • Jump a small fence, 18” maximum, with and without stirrups and/or reins.
  • Lope a course of 6 or more ground poles without stirrups.
  • Maintain a galloping position at the walk, jog and lope, for a minimum of five minutes.
  • Ride at the gallop in the open with control and a secure position.
  • Negotiate trail obstacles, to include:
    --Opening and closing gate
    --Water crossing
    --Ditch
    --Bridge

PURPLE LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Purple HorseSense:  Student will be able to understand and demonstrate show-quality grooming; to apply more advanced bandaging techniques; to evaluate longeing performance; to understand more advanced concepts of equine farrier and veterinary care; to identify daily horse management practices and safety issues related to trailering; to understand the economic realities of horse ownership.

  • Groom a horse to turnout inspection quality, to include appropriate braiding or banding of mane.
  • Thoroughly clean an udder and a sheath.
  • Longe a quiet horse and evaluate performance and movement.
  • Discuss use of side reins and similar training devices.
  • Pull a mane.
  • Apply a shipping bandage.
  • Wrap a tail for travel.
  • Know how to select and maintain a trailer and tow vehicle.
  • Identify different types of shoes and their uses, to include traction devices such as borium and studs.
  • Identify a minimum of five toxic plants native to this area.
  • Know location, appearance and treatment of unsoundnesses: navicular, splints, strained or bowed tendon, ringbone, sidebone, curb, bone spavin, capped hock. Discuss blemishes such as windpuffs and bog spavin.
  • Describe causes, signs, and treatment of laminitis/founder, tying up, choking, ulcers, thrush, skin conditions.
  • Name five diseases of the horse and describe symptoms and preventative measures.
  • Discuss stable and pasture management, to include:
    -- Turnout schedules
    -- Parasite management
    -- Grass management
    -- Different options for fencing and bedding
    -- Routine facility maintenance
    -- Daily care of horses
  • Create a budget for keeping a horse for a year, to include: feed and board, routine health care, emergency care, tack and equipment, and showing and training expenses.
Information_1.png

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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