Equine Training Levels

Training Levels:

Horses must be halter broke, pick-up feet and stand for the farrier to meet basic adoption criteria. Horses are not required to go through the riding program to be available for adoption. Below is a list of descriptions for each training level. Training levels are used to evaluate both horse and potential adopter to allow for the best match possible.

Training 5

Adopter is comfortable riding under supervised conditions.

  • Equines at this level are generally predictable.
  • Adopter may be a beginner level rider.
  • Adopter knows of basic horsemanship cues and may be in the process of learning; walk, trot, canter, stop, and steering.

Training 4

Adopter has solo experience in new environments (trails, shows, arena work, etc.) and can improve mild behavior issues as they occur.

  • Equines at this level show consistency in their behavior.
  • Adopter may be an intermediate level rider.
  • Adopter can safely walk, trot, canter, stop, and steer.

Training 3

Adopter has experience with project horses in need of fine tuning.

  • Equines at this level may require continued training.
  • Adopter is comfortable exposing horses to new experiences/places for the first time.
  • Adopter has experience/ is comfortable with horses needing a warm-up before work.

Training 2

Adopter has experience with young and/or green broke horses. Trainer required.*

  • Equines at this level are green broke and will require continued training.
  • Adopter is comfortable with potential for take-offs, bucking, or rearing.
  • Adopter is either a professional level trainer or is willing to obtain one.

Training 1

Adopter has started multiple horses. Trainer required.*

  • Equines at this level are newly started and may be on a 60 day hold for further training.
  • Adopter can expertly handle/resolve bucking, take-offs, rearing or other behavior issues.
  • Adopter is either a professional level trainer or is willing to obtain one

Saddle

Equine has been saddled an unspecified number of times but has not been ridden. Trainer required.*

  • Equines at this level are still flighty and will require continued work for maintenance of skills.
  • Adopter is either a professional level trainer or is willing to obtain one.

Halter

Equine is catchable, leadable and has had feet dressed by a farrier. Trainer required.*

  • Equines at this level will require continued training to retain skills.
  • Adopter is either a professional level trainer or is willing to obtain one.

Companion

Equine that will not be suitable for riding either due to size, medical needs or behavior issues.

  • Equines are people-friendly and have been safely penned with other animals.
  • Equines are catchable, leadable and manageable by a farrier.
  • Equines may require medications, shoes or special diets to manage conditions.

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