Lead-line Riding Skills Assessment (LRSA)

Horses should possess a core set of lead-line riding skills to succeed in lead-line mounted lessons. Lead-line refers to the level of support the rider needs. In this case, lead-line means the horse is led by a horse leader and the rider is supported by side walkers, as if often seen in adaptive riding. The Lead-line Riding Skills Assessment (LRSA) includes ten important skills that reflect the behaviors horses need to participate safely and effectively in most riding programs where riders are led.

Prior to a lead-line lesson, horses should be appropriately warmed up. This may consist of the horse being ridden by an experienced rider, lunged, or led around the arena in hand. The warm-up should prepare the horse physically and mentally for the lesson and function as a check-in to ensure the horse is sound. Prior to assessing any of the LRSA skills, you should complete a routine warm-up for that horse that mirrors what will be done before their participation in lead-line lessons.

Many skills require the use of a timer and/or additional equipment. Have all equipment organized prior to the start of the assessment. A list of the equipment needed for the LRSA is found below. Skills can be assessed in any order according to the evaluator’s choosing. Use the LRSA scoring sheet to record the horse’s scores (see Appendix 7).

Throughout the skills, “you” will be used to signify the rider or team members. The rider or team members may also serve as the evaluator.

Equipment:

• Assistants: one horse leader, two side walkers
• Lift
• Mounting block
• Mounting platform
• Mounting ramp
• Rider
• Rider equipment (e.g., boots with a heel, ASTM-SEI helmet, and appropriate riding clothing)
• Rider tools (e.g., bean bags, bubbles, dressage whip)
• Timer or watch
• Well-fitting halter and lead rope
• Well-fitting tack that is used in the lesson program (e.g., English saddle, western saddle, saddle pad, girth or cinch, bridle, bitless bridle)

1 Supported Mount

Why

The supported mount builds on the previous skill mounting. There are many styles of mounts used in EAS lessons to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities and limitations. Mounts can be done in a crest or croup style from a portable block, platform, ramp, or lift. Additionally, these mounts require the support of personnel to assist the rider and a horse leader to manage the horse. Horses should stand still and wait patiently until the rider is on and secure.

How

Because there are many styles of supported mounts, consider which ones are needed for your program. Each mount should be performed at least once and receive an individual score.

The mounting process carries an increased level of risk due to several contributing factors, including the presence of multiple personnel around the horse, the confined space created by mounting equipment, and the rider’s vulnerable position prior to being fully mounted. If the horse moves unexpectedly or if personnel fail to execute their responsibilities appropriately, there is potential for injury to the rider, the handlers, and the horse. Therefore, it is essential that all personnel involved in the mounting process are properly trained and consistently adhere to established safety protocols and best practices.

Variations of supported mounts include:

• Croup mount from portable mounting block
• Croup mount from mounting platform/offside block
• Croup mount from ramp
• Crest mount from mounting platform/offside block
• Crest mount from ramp
• Crest mount from wheelchair on ramp
• Crest mount from lift

Each of these mounts can be done from the near or offside of the horse.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric. Each type of mount will receive an individual score.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

1 Developing

Moves away from the mounting area before the rider is mounted. Moves before being cued by the horse leader. Tense.

            2 Satisfactory

Stands at the mounting area for the rider to mount. May lift head but responds to horse leader’s cues to stand still.

3 Proficient

Stands at the mounting area for the rider to mount. Does not move. Calm.

2 Team at the walk: rider, leader, two side walkers

Why

When riders are first learning to ride or require adaptations, they may need additional support from a horse leader and one or two side walkers. It is the horse leader’s job to focus on and control the horse, and the side walker’s job to support the rider. Horses should be comfortable with a rider, a horse leader, and two side walkers.

How

With the rider mounted, the horse leader will stand on the horse’s left side in proper leading position holding a lead rope that is attached to the horse by a halter or other safe and appropriate mechanism.

Two side walkers will stand in proper position (shoulder in line with the rider’s leg), one on either side of the horse. There are three typical holds a side walker will perform in a lesson, depending on how much support the rider needs.

• 1) Spotter position: side walker is next to, but not touching, the rider. They remain within arm’s length to provide physical support as needed.
• 2) Ankle hold: side walker gently holds the ankle of the rider. They assist with keeping the leg in the proper position and prevent the rider’s heel from hitting the horse unintentionally.
• 3) Thigh hold: side walker grabs the front edge of the saddle and lightly places their forearm over the thigh of the rider. They may need to increase the pressure provided by their forearm to support the rider in maintaining balance.

With a full team in place, walk for a minimum of three minutes, spending at least thirty seconds in each of the side walker support styles. You should start with the spotter position before moving to the ankle hold and then finally the thigh hold, because as the level of support increases, so does the pressure on the horse. As you walk, include circles, straight lines, changes of direction, and walk-halt-walk transitions. The cues should come from a combination of the horse leader and the rider, mimicking lead-line lessons. It is essential that the team communicates so that everyone can provide consistent cues. The evaluator should guide the team and tell them where and when to practice the various skills.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Tempo: Inconsistent walk.

Transition: Transitions to different gaits without being cued.

Turning: Does not turn from rider and horse leader cues.

Team: Tense with full team. Leans away from side walkers.

            2 Satisfactory

Tempo: Maintains a consistent walk with rider or horse leader cueing/assistance.

Transition: Stays in walk until cued. Transitions into walk within 5 seconds of cueing.

Turning: Turns with rider and horse leader cues.

Team: May lift head or be aware but stays responsive with full team and with each side walker hold.

3 Proficient

Tempo: Maintains consistent walk.

Transition: Stays in walk until cued. Transitions into walk within 3 seconds of cueing.

Turning: Turns with rider and horse leader cues.

Team: Maintains consistent head carriage. Calm with full team and with each side walker hold.

3 Team at the trot: rider, leader, two side walkers

Why

When riders are first learning to trot or need adaptations, they may require additional support from a horse leader and one or two side walkers. It is the horse leader’s job to focus on and control the horse, and the side walker’s job to support the rider. Horses should be comfortable with a rider, a horse leader, and two side walkers.

How

After assessing the team at the walk, you are ready to assess the team at the trot. In most lead-line lessons, the team trots for short distances on straight lines to avoid tiring the personnel, which is what we will assess. If your program trots with a team in other situations, add those into your assessment.

With a full team in place, trot for a minimum of one minute, spending at least ten seconds in each of the side walker support styles (see team at the walk for descriptions) You should start with the spotter position before moving to the ankle hold and then finally the thigh hold because as the level of support increases, so does the pressure on the horse. Trot on straight lines in 10-30 second increments. Perform a minimum of three trot transitions from the walk. The cues should come from a combination of the horse leader and the rider, mimicking lead-line lessons. It is essential that the team communicates so that everyone can provide consistent cues. The evaluator should guide the team and tell them where and when to practice the various skills.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Tempo: Inconsistent trot.

Transition: Transitions to different gaits without being cued.

Turning: Does not turn from rider and horse leader cues.

Team: Tense with full team. Leans away from side walkers.

            2 Satisfactory

Tempo: Maintains a consistent trot with rider or horse leader cueing/assistance.

Transition: Stays in trot until cued. Transitions into and out of trot within 5 seconds of cueing.

Turning: Turns with rider and horse leader cues.

Team: May lift head or be aware but stays responsive with full team and with each side walker hold.

3 Proficient

Tempo: Maintains consistent trot.

Transition: Stays in trot until cued. Transitions into and out of trot within 3 seconds of cueing.

Turning: Turns with rider and horse leader cues.

Team: Maintains consistent head carriage. Calm with full team and with each side walker hold.

4 Team at the halt: rider, leader, two side walkers

Why

When riders are first learning to ride or require adaptations, they may need additional support from a horse leader and one or two side walkers. It is the horse leader’s job to focus on and control the horse, and the side walker’s job to support the rider. Horses should be comfortable with a rider, a horse leader, and two side walkers.

How

Follow the same procedures as the team at the walk. As the team halts, assess the horse. Halt at least three times.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Does not halt within 5 seconds of cueing. Pushes into horse leader.

            2 Satisfactory

Halts within 5 seconds of cueing.

3 Proficient

Halts within 3 seconds of cueing.

5 Rider Behaviors

Why

Beginner riders, young riders, and riders with disabilities may behave in atypical ways that startle a horse. While it is impossible to habituate a horse to every type of rider behavior and plan for all scenarios, we can do our best to expose horses to common rider behaviors that occur in the lesson environment. Horses should be calm and remain responsive to their horse leader even in the presence of rider behaviors.

How

Rider behaviors should be assessed with a horse leader, but side walkers are optional. Identify at least four types of rider behaviors that the horse may be exposed to in your lesson program (e.g., high tone, low tone, verbal outbursts, muscle spasms, leaning, unbalanced). With the horse leader leading the horse at a walk, have the rider simulate each rider behavior for a minimum of fifteen seconds.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric. Each rider behavior will receive an individual score.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Does not maintain a consistent tempo during rider behaviors. Reacts negatively to rider movement (e.g. jumps, flinches). Tense.

2 Satisfactory

Maintains a mostly consistent walk with rider behaviors. May react mildly to behaviors (i.e., raises head) but stays responsive to horse leader.

3 Proficient

Maintains a consistent walk with rider behaviors. Does not react to behaviors. Calm.

6 Rider Exercises

Why

Rider exercises and stretches are used to warm up the rider and to correct rider position. Horses should be calm and remain responsive to their horse leader throughout each rider exercise.

How

Rider exercises should be assessed with a horse leader, but side walkers are optional. Identify the rider exercises that will be performed in a lesson (e.g., full body, lower body, upper body). With the horse leader leading the horse at a walk, have the rider perform each rider exercise for a minimum of fifteen seconds.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Does not maintain a consistent tempo during rider exercises. Reacts negatively to rider movement (e.g. jumps, flinches). Tense.

            2 Satisfactory

Maintains a mostly consistent walk with rider exercises. May react mildly to exercises (i.e., raises head) but stays responsive to horse leader.

3 Proficient

Maintains a consistent walk with rider exercises. Does not react to exercises. Calm.

7 Rider Tools

Why

Rider tools, sometimes called rider aids or arena props, are items used to engage the rider in horsemanship skills, targeted therapy-related skills guided by a licensed therapist, or learning related skills guided by an educator. Horses should be calm and remain responsive to their horse leader while rider tools are used.

How

Rider tools should be assessed with a horse leader, but side walkers are optional. Identify the rider tools that are used in your lesson program (e.g., balls, bubbles, dressage whip). Introduce each tool, mimicking the way the tool would be used in a lesson (e.g., an assistant tosses balls at a halt to the rider, practicing dropping the balls as may happen during a lesson). Attempt each tool a minimum of three times, testing it on both sides of the horse.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric. Each rider tool will receive an individual score.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Startles when introduced to rider tool (e.g., jumps, moves more than one step). Tense.

            2 Satisfactory

Response to rider tool is mild (i.e., looks at the tool, but does not move more than one step).

3 Proficient

Calm during rider tool use. May acknowledge tool (e.g., flicks ears) but is not disrupted from their job (e.g., walking, standing).

8 Horse Spotter

Why

As lead-line riders progress in their skills, they often move from having a horse leader to a horse spotter (i.e., someone who walks next to them and their horse but is not physically connected to the horse). The horse spotter will gradually create distance between the horse and themselves, giving the rider increased independence. Sometimes, the horse spotter will need to step in to assist the rider by grabbing the lead rope and giving a cue, such as to walk or to halt. Horses should stay aware of both the rider and horse spotter’s cues and be unfazed by the horse spotter stepping in to assist as needed.

How

With a rider mounted but no side walkers, the horse leader will tie the lead rope around the horse’s neck or remove the lead rope from the horse. The horse leader will then move into a spotter position, which is next to the horse and rider, but they will walk anywhere from 2-10 feet away.

The rider will then ride the horse for at least three minutes. They should include circles, straight lines, changes of direction, and walk-halt-walk transitions. The horse spotter should follow at an appropriate distance. The horse spotter should step in to assist the rider a few times with tasks such as reinforcing a halt or walk cue to mimic what may occur during a lesson.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Does not follow the spotter. Confused by the rider and spotter cues. Spooks or jumps away when spotter approaches to assist rider.

            2 Satisfactory

Responsive to the rider and spotter cues. May need extra assistance from the rider to continue traveling the correct direction when the spotter moves away. Is nonreactive when the spotter approaches to assist rider.

3 Proficient

Responsive to the rider and spotter’s cues. Does well switching between following the spotter and moving away with rider cues. Is nonreactive when the spotter approaches to assist rider.

9 Supported Dismount

Why

The supported dismount builds on the previous skill dismounting. There are many styles of dismounts used in EAS lessons to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities and limitations. Dismounts can be completed in a crest or croup style to the ground, a stable platform, or lift. Additionally, these dismounts require the support of personnel to assist the rider and a horse leader to manage the horse. Horses should stand still and wait patiently until the rider is fully dismounted.

How

Because there are many styles of supported dismounts, consider which ones are needed for your program. Each dismount should be performed at least once and receive an individual score.

The dismounting process carries an increased level of risk due to several contributing factors, including the presence of multiple personnel around the horse, the confined space created by dismounting equipment, and the rider’s vulnerable position prior to being fully dismounted. If the horse moves unexpectedly or if personnel fail to execute their responsibilities appropriately, there is potential for injury to the rider, the handlers, or the horse. Therefore, it is essential that all personnel involved in the dismounting process are properly trained and consistently adhere to established safety protocols and best practices.

Variations of supported dismounts include:

• Croup dismount to ground
• Croup dismount to mounting platform/offside block (must be a stable platform)
• Crest dismount to ground
• Crest dismount to mounting platform/offside block (must be a stable platform)
• Crest dismount to wheelchair
• Crest dismount using a lift

Each of these dismounts can be performed from the near or offside of the horse.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric. Each type of dismount will receive an individual score.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

1 Developing

Moves during the dismounting. Tense.

            2 Satisfactory

May shift their weight but does not take a full step during dismount.

3 Proficient

Does not move during the dismount. Calm.

10 Assisted Emergency Dismount

Why

During a lead-line lesson, there may be times when a rider must be pulled off the horse quickly due to a rider or horse emergency that prevents a normal dismount. Due to the nature of an assisted emergency dismount, a full team is required, including a horse leader and two side walkers. While it is not possible to fully prepare horses for emergency procedures, practicing emergency dismounts will help. Remember, assisted emergency dismounts should only be used when it is unsafe to dismount in the standard way. Horses should remain focused on the horse leader and calm throughout the process.

How

The emergency dismounting process carries an increased level of risk due to the rider being physically pulled off the horse. If the horse moves unexpectedly or if personnel fail to execute their responsibilities appropriately, there is potential for injury to the rider, the handlers, or the horse. Therefore, it is essential that all personnel involved in the emergency dismounting process are properly trained and consistently adhere to established safety protocols and best practices.

With a horse leader leading the horse and two side walkers in spotter positions, have a trained individual perform an emergency dismount from the walk. To do this, the side walker next to the arena rail (outside) will remove the rider’s foot from the stirrup and yell “foot clear.” Then the side walker that is on the side away from the arena rail (inside) will remove the rider’s foot from the stirrup, hook their arms under the rider’s arms and pull the rider off the horse, walking at an angle backwards away from the horse. The horse leader should keep the horse moving and lead them out of the way of the rider.

Due to the risk of this skill, personnel should be properly trained in assisted emergency dismounting procedures and follow the procedures outlined by their program. Additionally, this movement causes increased physical and mental stress on the horse, so it is recommended that you practice the skill only as much as is needed. For this assessment, you will perform one assisted emergency dismount.

Once the task(s) have been completed, score the horse according to the following rubric.

Scoring Rubric

NA Not Assessed

0 Unsuitable

Displays dangerous behavior and/or is in pain or otherwise unsound.

            1 Developing

Has a big reaction (e.g., spooks, bolts, kicks) when the rider is pulled off.

            2 Satisfactory

Has a reaction (e.g., stops, flinches, raises head) when the rider is pulled off, but the handler maintains control.

3 Proficient

Has little to no reaction and keeps walking with the handler while the rider is pulled off.