CERTIFICATE II in HORSEMANSHIP

Pre-requisite - Horsemanship Certificate I

Certificate II is about moving on, focusing on Fun & Advancement of your horsemanship.

Cert I has already provided you with the safety and basic skills so you and your horse have a partnership which allows you both to respect one another and communicate with each other in a basic manner. Now it is time to stretch the partnership and develop more communication to where your horse sees you as a leader so you can both expand your repertoire.

You will, as part of Cert II, start the study of Liberty where the bond between you and your horse actually becomes stronger and more meaningful than that old lead rope.

You will also introduce the "ring rope" to test and improve your horse's respect for you; as the distance between you increases so does the need for more and more respect. You will be able to ask your horse to go and come and circle you from a distance.

On completion of Certificate II, you and your partner will be able to

• perform the tasks with no opposition
• dance together on the ground with your horse following your lead
• achieve bigger challenges on the 12 ’lead rope
• achieve small challenges on a ring rope
• Liberty – yield FE, HQ and backing from zone 1 in safe yard
• "Stick to me" with halter & lead in students belt
• understand and display the uses and benefits of one rein vs two reins
• understand and utilise "Belly button power"
• understand and utilise effective leg positioning
• understand and utilise rein positions and habits
• safely saddle, mount & dismount in different situations

Have a look at the Certificate II Task List

go to Certificate III – Friendship & Harmony