Foundation Horsemanship Program - Level 2

• Use rhythmic motion all over your horse with a stick and string.
• Show contact and no-contact yields in 6 directions, with full circles in forequarter and hindquarter yields. Show both sides. Forward, backwards and sideways should be over a distance of 4 metres.

Duration: Within – 10 minutes.

• Use rhythmic motion all over your horse with a stick and bag.
• Show contact and no-contact yields in 6 directions, with full circles in forequarter and hindquarter yields. Show both sides. Forward, backwards and sideways should be over a distance of 4 metres.

Duration: Within – 10 minutes.

• Back your horse the full length of the 22’ rope. Send them to the right at the trot for 2 laps, then spiral to bring them back in to you. Rub them on the head then show the same to the left.
• Repeat this including a 2’ jump in the circle.
• Show four changes of direction maintaining the trot, then bring your horse to you and rub him on the head.

Duration: Within – 6 minutes.

• Send your horse off at a trot, then go sideways along a fence for 7 metres, to the left and right.
• At the trot, send your horse in a circle showing 3 transitions from walk to trot to walk. Show both left and right.
• Send your horse onto a horse float from the end of the 22’ rope.

Duration: Within – 6 minutes.

• Using just your hands, back your horse in a 7metre square; going backwards, sideways, forwards, sideways. Show one lap to the left and one to the right.
• Place a 22’ rope around your horse’s neck and send them backwards for the full length of the rope. Ask them to yield to the left and the right 3 times each side. Then bring them back in and rub them.

Duration: Within – 10 minutes.

• From behind the shoulder, drive your horse forward one full circle to the right. Yield the hindquarters and show one full circle to the left. Show this 3 times.
• While standing in front and facing your horse, send your horse sideways around you for half a lap. Show 2 times to the left and the right.
• At the trot, send your horse to the right for 4 laps, bring them back in to you then send them to the left for 4 laps. Bring your horse back in and rub him all over.

Duration: Within – 7 minutes.

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

Duration: Within – 6 minutes.

• Show the safe saddling procedure – include a jump showing left and right.
• Holding the lead rope, use your stirrup to drive your horse in a full circle to the left and right. Repeat this 3 times showing walk to trot transitions.
• Facing forward, place one foot in the stirrup and hop up and down to show your horse will not walk off. Politely mount your horse.

Duration: Within – 8 minutes.

• On a loose rein, ride along the arena fence showing one rein transitions from walk to trot to canter and back to a walk. Show this twice to the right and to the left. Try not to use the rein.
• At the trot, ride a figure eight showing 2 changes of diagonal.
• Show 5 simple lead changes on a loose rein. From the canter, come down to a halt and back-up by lifting the reins with finger and thumb only.
• Ask your horse to go sideways 4 metres left and right holding reins with finger and thumb only.

Duration: Within – 10 minutes.

• Canter a circle on a loose rein and show 2 simple lead changes through the middle.
• Make the circle bigger and gallop for 30 seconds, then spiral down to a smaller fast canter circle and show 4 flying lead changes through the centre of the circle.
• Come down to a halt and straight back-up by lifting the reins.

Duration: Within – 5 minutes.

• Pick up a contact rein position and obtain a soft feel. Show lateral flexion left and right.
• Show a half circle indirect rein then full circle forequarter yield ( turn on the hindquarters ) in a flow. Show both right and left.
• Trot a straight line on a loose rein. Ride your horse down into a contact rein ( 2 rein ) back-up for 7 metres. Show 4 of these in a row.
• On a contact rein, ride a 7 metre square – go sideways right, backwards, sideways left then ride forward on a loose rein. Show right and left.

Duration: Within – 7 minutes.

• Choose five (5) elements from your Level Two 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 learnt in the programme to date and be imaginative.