Foundation Horsemanship Program - Level 1

• Use rhythmic motion all over your horse with your hands, your stick and string.
• Contact and no contact yield in six directions including forequarters and hindquarters

Duration: Within – 10 minutes.

• Approach your horse’s shoulder from 4 metres. Standing at or behind the shoulder, allowing your horse to sniff the back of your hand. Rub your horse and ask them to bend towards you as you put the halter on and tie knot correctly.
• Rub and check them all over.
• Pick up and check all 4 feet.

Duration: Within – 5 minutes.

• Drive your horse forward from behind the shoulder - 1 full circle to the right, yield the hindquarter to change directions and do 1 full circle to the left. Do this 4 times.
• While holding the snap, no-contact yield your horse sideways half a lap to the left and right. Remember to start and finish with your horse straight in front of you.
• Place a 2’ jump (barrels) against a fence. Jump your horse over it to the right, yield their hindquarter and jump them back over the barrel to the left. Do this 3 times in a flow, half circles only.

Duration: Within – 5 minutes.

• Walk along a fence beside your horse’s shoulder. Stop and back up 1 metre. Do this 3 times in a flow.
• Continue through a gateway stopping half way through and then back your horse back through the gate. Do this twice.
• Drive them onto a horse trailer and close the gate.
• Go and rub them on the head and then calmly unload them.

Duration: Within – 8 minutes.

• Saddle your horse from the off side on a loose rope. Circle your horse and send them over a jump in both directions and tighten girth. Do this until saddle is secure. Jump up and down along side the stirrup for 10 seconds each side.
• Step up in the stirrup facing forward. Rub the opposite shoulder and move the stirrup back and forth rubbing the barrel of the horse. Do this on both sides.
• Mount and rub your horse on the shoulder and neck. Check your lateral flexion both sides.

Duration: Within – 8 minutes.

• Check lateral flexion left and right.
• Do an indirect rein for a full circle then walk out on a direct rein to the right and left. Remember the direct rein should yield the front end.
• Back your horse 2 metres.
• At the trot show 2 half circles with a direct rein to the right and to the left. Continue up into a canter and bend (lateral flexion) to a stop. Show this both sides.
• Check lateral flexion and back horse 1 metre.

Duration: Within – 6 minutes.

• Make 2 reins with your lead rope.
• Go sideways left and right along a fence for 4 metres.
• On a loose rein, trot your horse forward in a straight line. Ride down into a 2-rein backup. Do this 3 times in a flow. (Using phases to pick up contact and back up.)

Duration: Within – 5 minutes.

• Choose five (5) elements from your Level One homework or assignment cards and combine them in one unique and flowing task. Imagination Challenge should show all the principles of safety, respect, communication, release and rapport that you have learned in the programme to date and be imaginative.

Duration: Within – 5 minutes.