Preface

Welcome to Selection & Assessment of the Lesson Horse: A Guide for Traditional Horsemanship & Equine-Assisted Services Programs.

At the heart of every successful traditional horsemanship or equine-assisted services (EAS) program stands the well-trained, kind-hearted horses. These incredible equine partners play an integral role in developing our clients’ horsemanship skills and confidence. Whether we are working on foundational skills, such as haltering and leading, or more advanced maneuvers, such as canter lead changes, nothing is possible without safe, capable, and willing horses.

Not every horse is suited for a lesson program. Some may lack the temperament, personality, or physical capacity to handle a variety of riders and skill levels. Because of this, it is essential to have a method for identifying horses that demonstrate the potential to succeed in beginner lesson environments.

While many experienced trainers and instructors rely on intuition or a “gut feeling” when evaluating a horse, I have found that instinct alone isn’t enough, especially when I need to justify my decisions to team members or teach college students how to make thoughtful, evidence-based selections. Because of this, I sought an evaluation process that was objective, clear, and consistent; one that could be used by students in the college-level course I taught, “Training and Conditioning of the Lesson Horse;” and that could also guide the development of training plans to support each horse’s progress.

So, I began developing my assessments. Drawing inspiration from existing tools in the industry and informed by my own experiences, I created and refined them over time. As I implemented various versions in both university courses and the EAS community program I taught in, I continually adjusted the assessments to improve clarity and effectiveness. My understanding deepened through further study in herd management, equine acquisition, training, equitation science, and evaluation methods—each informing and improving the assessments.

After completing my undergraduate work at Utah State University, I pursued a master’s degree in Agricultural Extension and Education. My thesis focused on the development and validation of the Basic Ground Skills Assessment (BGSA), which is one of the assessments presented in this guide. Through extensive reading, experimentation, statistical analysis, and guidance from exceptional mentors, I was able to demonstrate both the validity and reliability of the BGSA. I initially published this work in my thesis, “Development and Validation of a Basic Ground Skills Assessment for Equine-Assisted Services,”^[1] and later in the Emerging Animal Species journal^[2]. But I was far from finished.

Using the same framework as the BGSA, I developed additional assessments for advanced ground skills, independent riding skills, and lead-line riding skills. I also invested time in creating procedures to guide the selection of horses for programs, drawing from countless hours spent evaluating and acquiring lesson horses.

All this now brings me to today. I’ve compiled my assessments into a practical guide that equine professionals can use to evaluate horses for both traditional horsemanship and EAS lesson programs in hopes that they can properly screen horses for safe interactions with clients seeking to experience the unique, life-changing connection with horses. If this guide helps even one program offer safer, more meaningful experiences, then my work will have been worthwhile.

Without further ado, I’m proud to present the first edition of Selection & Assessment of the Lesson Horse: A Guide for Traditional Horsemanship & Equine-Assisted Services Programs. In this guide, you will learn how to select and assess a horse for use in lesson programs and how to build a training plan to systematically advance each horse’s skills.

Let’s get started!

Disclaimer: This guide is intended solely as a supportive tool for equine professionals in the selection, assessment, and training of lesson horses. It does not replace professional judgment or individualized evaluation of horse and rider needs. The responsibility for ensuring the safety and welfare of both horses and humans remains solely with the equine professional. Final decisions regarding horse suitability for participation in any equine-assisted service or lesson program rest with the responsible professional. The author and any affiliated institutions or individuals disclaim all liability for any injury, loss, damage, or death resulting from the use or misuse of this guide.

Cover Photo Credit: Aaron Fortin

First version published August 2025