Level: 1
Category: Recreation
Year: 1961

Horsemanship

Note: Instructor Required

  1. Label an outline drawing of a horse or point out on a live horse a minimum of 30 different parts of a horse.
  2. Label on an outline drawing or point out on a real saddle, a minimum of 10 parts of a Western saddle and nine parts of an English saddle. Label on an outline drawing, or point out on a real bridle, a minimum of six parts of a Western bridle and seven parts of an English bridle. Explain how to take care of your tack.
  3. Describe the purpose of and wear a riding helmet and boots (or hard soled shoes with a heel) while working around horses and riding.
  4. Describe and demonstrate three rules of safety in approaching and catching a horse.
  5. Describe and demonstrate three rules of safety in leading a horse and show where the safest place is to stand around a horse.
  6. Choose a safe place to tie a gentle horse, then demonstrate how to tie a gentle horse with a quick release manger knot, or bowline knot, demonstrating and explaining correct length of rope and height from the ground to tie.
  7. Demonstrate and explain how to correctly groom a gentle horse.
  8. Demonstrate and explain how to safely and correctly saddle and bridle a gentle horse.
  9. Demonstrate and explain how to safely and correctly mount and dismount a gentle horse, and demonstrate a safe, well-balanced seat on a horse that is standing still.
  10. Demonstrate and explain how to safely start, stop, and turn a gentle horse at walk, using leg, weight, voice, and rein aids.
  11. Demonstrate and explain a correct leg-up mounting procedure on a bareback gentle horse that is standing quietly. Ride a gentle bareback horse for a minimum of 30 cumulative minutes at the walk with good balance.
  12. Demonstrate and explain group safety consciousness while riding a gentle horse with a minimum of one other rider. Demonstrate correct spacing, reversing direction, and passing other riders in an arena setting at the walk.
  13. Negotiate a simple three element trail obstacle course set up on level ground riding a gentle horse at the walk. Choose from:
    1. Step over log or pole, maximum height of 16 inches (42 cm).
    2. Pass between tow barrels or bales of hay spaced 45 inches (120 cm) apart.
    3. Zig-Zag between poles set at 12-foot (3.6 m) intervals.
    4. Walk into a large key-hole (15-foot >4.5 m= circle,) turn and exit without stepping on or crossing any borderline.
  14. Trail ride a gentle horse at the walk for a minimum of four cumulative hours.
  15. Demonstrate and explain a minimum of three safety rules that apply to group trail rides.