HorseSense Levels

HorseSense Program - Unmounted

RED LEVEL – Safety & Basics

Core Focus: Safe handling, basic care, awareness

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Follow barn, pasture, and arena safety rules

• Read basic equine body language (relaxation vs tension)

• Catch, halter, lead, and tie a horse safely (quick-release knot)

• Groom for basic ride readiness

• Pick hooves safely and explain basic hoof care

• Identify basic grooming tools and their functions

• Identify major parts of the horse

• Identify parts and purpose of both English and Western saddles and bridles

• Demonstrate proper tack storage and explain why tack care matters

• Identify good vs poor hay, grain, and water

• Muck and re-bed a stall thoroughly and efficiently

YELLOW LEVEL – Care & Routine

Core Focus: Consistency, observation, responsibility

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Jog a horse in hand safely

• Blanket and unblanket correctly

• Apply basic leg protection (splint, bell, shipping boots)

• Clean and condition English and Western tack

• Reassemble bridles and saddles independently

• Perform proper after-work care (cool out, grooming, feeding)

• Take and explain TPR

• Identify basic colors, markings, breeds, and height

• Explain feeding basics (roughage vs concentrates)

• Recognize signs of colic and know appropriate action

• Identify when veterinary care is needed

GREEN LEVEL – Management & Fit

Core Focus: Fit, function, and planning

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Properly fit saddle, bridle, bit, cinch/girth, and halter

• Identify and explain items in a first-aid kit

• Take, record, and interpret TPR

• Measure height and estimate weight

• Safely administer oral dewormer

• Apply a stable bandage

• Describe multiple riding disciplines (English & Western)

• Identify common breeds by type

• Explain basic conditioning concepts

• Recognize signs a horse needs trimming or shoeing

• Describe good stall and pasture management

• Create a basic annual care calendar

BLUE LEVEL – Evaluation & Systems

Core Focus: Understanding how horses work

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Groom to inspection-ready standard

• Adjust advanced tack (martingales, breastplates, curb chains, cinches)

• Identify snaffle vs leverage bits and explain action

• Apply polo wraps correctly

• Understand parasite life cycles and prevention

• Identify farrier tools and their use

• Explain gaits, footfalls, and basic unsoundness

• Evaluate basic conformation

• Perform basic trailering safety checks

• Safely load/unload a quiet horse

• Longe safely with correct equipment and technique

ORANGE LEVEL – Conditioning & Behavior

Core Focus: Why training choices matter

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Explain basic equine learning theory and behavior

• Longe independently with purpose

• Design polework exercises (no jumping)

• Evaluate conformation strengths and weaknesses

• Understand dental care and vaccination schedules

• Wrap hooves

• Design feeding plans for varying workloads

• Identify digestive anatomy

• Create an 8-week conditioning plan

PURPLE LEVEL – Ownership & Decision-Making

Core Focus: Stewardship and responsibility

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Groom to show-quality standard

• Perform advanced bandaging

• Evaluate movement on the longe

• Understand shoeing options and traction

• Identify toxic plants

• Explain common lamenesses and illnesses

• Manage pasture and facility systems

• Create a realistic annual horse budget

TEAL LEVEL – Leadership

Core Focus: Teaching, systems, and big-picture thinking

Students demonstrate the ability to:

• Teach Red Level HorseSense skills to others

• Evaluate conformation and movement in multiple horses

• Understand advanced anatomy and veterinary concepts

• Give IM injections (where legally appropriate)

• Analyze feed programs

• Create emergency and disaster plans

• Design functional barn and pasture layouts