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LEARN MORE ABOUT

Teal Level

LEARN MORE ABOUT

Teal Level

Teal Level is the seventh and most advanced Level in the Learning Levels program

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

Our goal for Teal Horsemanship students is for them to “think like trainers,” to ride with awareness and appreciation of different horses, and to understand that this Level is not as much about completion as it is beginning a new journey.

Students in umounted Teal HorseSense lessons are dedicated equestrians ready to deepen their understanding of all aspects of horse care. Students with Teal Level knowledge will be well prepared to pursue equine higher learning or work in the horse industry.

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

Scroll down to learn more about teaching Teal Level lessons.

Learning Levels Horsemanship - xcountry

What you can teach in Teal Level?

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HorseSense
Horsemanship

TEAL LEVEL HORSESENSE

TEAL HORSESENSE

Teal HorseSense students are dedicated equine enthusiasts committed to continuing education. They demonstrate initiative by actively seeking out knowledge, allowing them to manage their own horses ethically and effectively and pursue career or competitive goals.

The Teal Level HorseSense Study Guide is the “textbook” for this Level, giving students an overview of required information for every objective – along with a list of recommended outside resources that can supply detailed knowledge for each topic.

Teal Level students can mentor and inspire younger students and often make excellent apprentice instructors.

Teal Levels students painting pony bones

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

  • students who have completed Purple Level HorseSense.
  • students (and parents!) who plan to keep horses independently, at home or in a self-care boarding facility.
  • participants in specialty clinics (e.g., Equine Nutrition, Veterinary Care, Facility Design, 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.

LEVELS TOPICS include bandaging, conditioning, conformation, dental care, dressage, feeding and nutrition, ground handling, instruction, jumping skills, pony parts and anatomy, stable/facility management, vet and health care.

Not all recreational students will achieve a Teal ribbon — this Level requires repeated skills practice, discussion, and independent outside study from books, videos and credible online sources.

Teal Level students must confidently discuss and demonstrate detailed, comprehensive equine knowledge and hands-on skills:

  • Students will learn to teach basic Red Level HorseSense skills.
  • They learn methods of starting and progressively training a young horse from the ground up.
  • They judge a horse’s lower-level dressage performance and evaluate more complex concepts of conformation and movement.
  • They assess different approaches to veterinary medicine and demonstrate advanced health care skills.
  • They learn functional equine anatomy and can relate equine systems to feeding, diseases and their control.
  • They understand nutrients needed for a balanced diet, with consideration for different stages of a horse’s life.
  • They incorporate stable management principles and in facility design and create disaster plans.

TEAL LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

TEAL LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP

Teal Horsemanship is an advanced intermediate level, designed to help students become empathetic riders and horse trainers.

It introduces more sophisticated dressage techniques and training philosophy, while asking students to ride with confidence and a secure position in a variety of multi-discipline settings.

The Teal Level Horsemanship Study Guide is the “textbook” for this Level, giving students an overview of required information for every objective – along with a list of recommended outside resources that can supply detailed knowledge.

Teal Level rider - flatwork with contact

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

  • have completed the Purple Horsemanship Level.
  • are dedicated equestrians eager to develop more advanced riding 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 at all gaits.
  • are preparing for schooling show classes, lower-level events, extended trail rides or hunter paces.
  • may be considering a career in the equine industry.

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

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

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

  • Students learn the value of progressive training on the flat as they practice lower-level dressage concepts, including lateral work and riding the horse "on the aids" at all three gaits.
  • They gain the depth of knowledge necessary to plan an effective warm-up and training routine.
  • They demonstrate sophisticated use of aids by riding exercises such as direct transitions and countercanter.
  • They develop balance and tact along with a strong base of support by riding across varied terrain at all gaits.
  • Western riders demonstrate versatility by participating in multiple disciplines, including horsemanship and speed event patterns ridden with one hand.
  • English riders jump gymnastic grids, stadium courses and cross-country obstacles up to 3'-3'6", demonstrating a knowledge of distances and different jumping sports.
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TEAL LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Teal Horsemanship: The Teal Horsemanship Level is an advanced intermediate level, designed to help students become empathetic riders and horse trainers. It introduces more sophisticated dressage techniques and training philosophy, while asking students to demonstrate strong jumping skills in a variety of settings.

  • Discuss basic dressage theory, showing knowledge of the training pyramid and use of natural aids.
  • Discuss appropriate use of artificial aids and training devices.
  • Demonstrate a self-directed, progressive warm-up for flatwork and jumping, with consideration of mount’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Ride various ring figures on the aids, at walk, trot and canter, demonstrating rhythm, relaxation, connection and bend.
  • Ride accurate, balanced transitions, including halts and transitions between the walk and canter.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- Turn on the haunches
    -- Leg yield
    -- Shoulder-in
    -- Haunches-in
    -- Countercanter
  • Ride a simple change of lead through the walk or a flying change of lead, appropriate to the horse.
  • Demonstrate lengthening and shortening stride.
  • Ride and evaluate an unfamiliar horse, to include work at all three gaits and through basic ring figures.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in gymnastic jumping:
    -- Designing and setting up a variety of gymnastic exercises
    -- Riding with confidence and balance over progressive gymnastics up to 3'6"
    -- Demonstrating a secure position over fences up to 3' with and without stirrups and/or reins
  • Jump a stadium course at 3', demonstrating an understanding of hunter, equitation and show jumping questions and approaches to riding them.
  • Jump a course (8-10 fences) at 2’6” without stirrups.
  • Ride in a galloping position over varying terrain, demonstrating knowledge of pace in meters per minute.
  • Jump a variety of Novice level cross-country obstacles, to include:
    -- Up and down banks
    -- Ditches
    -- Related obstacles (including water complex)
    -- Jumps on a slope

TEAL LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Teal HorseSense: Student will be able to teach basic HorseSense skills; to demonstrate understanding of jump course design; to evaluate a horse’s dressage performance; to demonstrate advanced health care skills; to evaluate more complex concepts of conformation and movement; to understand functional equine anatomy and relate equine systems to feeding, diseases and their control; to incorporate stable management principles in facility design.

  • Judge an Intro or Training Level dressage test, demonstrating knowledge of basic dressage principles.
  • Design a hunter, equitation and show jumping course, demonstrating knowledge of distances and types of fences.
  • Discuss methods of starting a young horse from the ground up, including ground exercises, longeing, backing, and progressive training.
  • Discuss methods of conditioning for different activities, such as dressage, eventing, games, endurance riding, etc.
  • Evaluate conformation of a selection of horses, discussing relationship to soundness, movement, and athletic ability.
  • Know basic equine anatomy, to include: musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and reproductive systems; know what diseases or health conditions affect each system.
  • Draw a diagram showing the major bones, ligaments, and tendons in the lower leg.
  • Estimate the age of a horse using teeth as a guide; discuss number of teeth, growth, and dental care.
  • Discuss different approaches to veterinary medicine, to include:
    -- Basic disease prevention practices, including management of infectious diseases
    -- Uses and dangers of common equine medications and sedatives
    -- Other treatment methods such as physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.
  • Give an intramuscular injection.
  • Wrap a knee and a hock.
  • Discuss nutrients needed for a balanced diet, with consideration for different stages of a horse's life.
  • Using a tag from a commercially prepared feed mixture, analyze nutritional value of a feeding program (to include hay and/or pasture).
  • Discuss equine disaster planning, to include: fire and storm emergency plans, supplies, and evacuation procedures.
  • 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.
  • Teach a new student Red Level HorseSense skills.

TEAL LEVEL HORSEMANSHIP OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE MOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll down to see the unmounted curriculum)

Overview of Teal Horsemanship: The Teal Horsemanship Level is an advanced intermediate level, designed to help students become empathetic riders and horse trainers. It introduces more sophisticated flatwork techniques and training philosophy, asking students to ride with awareness and attention to detail in a variety of settings.

  • Discuss basic dressage theory, showing knowledge of the training pyramid and use of natural aids.
  • Discuss appropriate use of artificial aids and training devices.
  • Demonstrate a self-directed, progressive schooling session, with consideration of mount’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Ride various ring figures at walk, jog and lope, demonstrating rhythm, relaxation, bend and connection. Horse should work through the back with acceptance of light aids.
  • Ride accurate, balanced transitions, including halts and transitions between the walk and lope.
  • Demonstrate the following maneuvers:
    -- Turn on the haunches
    -- Leg yield
    -- Shoulder-in
    -- Haunches-in
    -- Countercanter
  • Ride a simple change of lead through the walk or a flying change of lead, appropriate to the horse.
  • Demonstrate lengthening and shortening stride, developing medium and collected gaits.
  • Ride and evaluate an unfamiliar horse, to include work at all three gaits and through basic ring figures.
  • Demonstrate proficiency riding with one hand, to include:
    -- Horsemanship pattern
    -- Trail course of 8 or more obstacles, including sidepass
    -- Speed event pattern with changes of lead as required
  • Design a polework exercise and discuss conditioning benefits.
  • Ride across varying terrain at all three gaits, demonstrating balance of horse and rider while negotiating hills and banks.
  • Participate in at least one of the following activities::
    -- Working cattle
    -- Introductory reining pattern
    -- Trail ride of four or more hours, on a horse demonstrating appropriate conditioning

TEAL LEVEL HORSESENSE OBJECTIVES - WESTERN

THE UNMOUNTED CURRICULUM

(scroll up to see the mounted curriculum)

Overview of Teal HorseSense: Student will be able to teach basic HorseSense skills; to evaluate a horse’s performance and level of training; to demonstrate advanced health care skills; to evaluate more complex concepts of conformation and movement; to understand functional equine anatomy and relate equine systems to feeding, diseases and their control; to incorporate stable management principles in facility design.

  • Judge an Intro or Basic Level Western dressage test, demonstrating knowledge of basic dressage principles.
  • Design an arena trail course, demonstrating knowledge of obstacles and training requirements.
  • Discuss methods of starting a young horse from the ground up, including ground exercises, longeing, backing, and progressive training.
  • Discuss methods of conditioning for different activities, such as trail, speed events, endurance riding, etc.
  • Evaluate conformation of a selection of horses, discussing relationship to soundness, movement, and athletic ability.
  • Know basic equine anatomy, to include: musculoskeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and reproductive systems; know what diseases or health conditions affect each system.
  • Draw a diagram showing the major bones, ligaments, and tendons in the lower leg.
  • Estimate the age of a horse using teeth as a guide; discuss number of teeth, growth, and dental care.
  • Discuss different approaches to veterinary medicine, to include:
    -- Basic disease prevention practices, including management of infectious diseases
    -- Uses and dangers of common equine medications and sedatives
    -- Other treatment methods such as physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.
  • Give an intramuscular injection.
  • Wrap a knee and a hock.
  • Discuss nutrients needed for a balanced diet, with consideration for different stages of a horse's life.
  • Using a tag from a commercially prepared feed mixture, analyze nutritional value of a feeding program (to include hay and/or pasture).
  • Discuss equine disaster planning, to include: fire and storm emergency plans, supplies, and evacuation procedures.
  • 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.
  • Teach a new student Red Level HorseSense skills.
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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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