1. Lead Walking Certification written portion

2. Lead Walker’s Responsibility

4. Lead Walker Qualifications Because of the important nature of this position and the high demands it entails, a Lead Walker must: Be 15 or older Have/develop excellent horsemanship skills Demonstrate the maturity needed to listen, stay focused, take suggestions, and handle emergencies

5. Before Working with a Student: Ask the instructor about the student and any special needs they might have. Ask the instructor what goals the student is working on for the lesson. Introduce yourself to the student and parent. Let them know you will be helping them in their lesson for the day.

6. Mounting the Student Some of our students need assistance getting on their horse. As the Lead Walker in this process you will be in charge of: Bringing the horse up to the mounting ramp if needed Holding the horse still while the student mounts

7. Mounting the Student Remember Always wait for the instructor and follow their instructions If you notice the horse acting unusually, inform the instructor immediately Do not move the horse until the instructor says it is ok

8. Dismounting the Student Some of our students need assistance getting off their horse. As the Lead Walker in this process you will be in charge of: Lining the horse up where the instructor directs Holding the horse still while the student dismounts

9. Emergency Dismounting In some unsafe situations it is necessary to quickly remove the rider from the horse. When this happens you are in charge of: Remaining calm Steadying the horse while the rider is being removed Removing the horse from the area as soon as the rider is off.

10. Controlling the Horse Taking the horse in and out of the lesson Untacking the horse after the lesson Helping the horse with good ground manners Directing the horse’s speed and direction

11. Controlling the Horse While enforcing good ground manners remember to: Keep a calm attitude and remember to be the leader, keeping the horse out of personal space. Reward good behavior by petting and speaking to the horse.

12. Controlling the Horse While controlling the horse’s speed & direction remember to: Never make sharp/fast turns or start/stop suddenly Keep a calm demeanor and defend your personal space Only go the speed the student is safely capable of riding Use clear verbal cues (i.e. walk, trot, whoa, easy)

13. Note: When the horse is stopped, the Lead Walker should stand in front of and to the left facing the shoulder of the horse.

14. Directing the Team As you are directing the team: Keep the Side Walkers on Task Watch for Safety Issues Make Safety Decisions

15. Keeping Side Walkers on Task It may be difficult to stay focused throughout the entire lesson, but for the safety of our students, it is required. If you notice your Side Walkers becoming distracted ie ‘zoning out’ or using a cell phone, remind them that the safety of the student should be their number one concern at the moment. If the problem persists pull into the middle of the arena and discretely inform the instructor. It may be difficult to stay focused throughout the entire lesson, but for the safety of our students, it is required. If you notice your Side Walkers becoming distracted ie ‘zoning out’ or using a cell phone, remind them that the safety of the student should be their number one concern at the moment. If the problem persists pull into the middle of the arena and discretely inform the instructor.

16. Note: When Lead Walking watch out for obstacles and make sure you give the Side Walkers plenty of room. When changing direction, always turn towards the middle of the arena.

17. Watching for Safety Issues Your goal as a Lead Walker is to prevent emergencies. In order to do this you must be constantly looking for any safety issues.

18. Watching for Safety Issues Some examples of unsafe situations are:  Broken equipment  Loose girth  A nervous or agitated horse  Off-balance student  Side Walkers not focusing on the student  Two or more horses getting too close together Some examples of unsafe situations are:  Broken equipment  Loose girth  A nervous or agitated horse  Off-balance student  Side Walkers not focusing on the student  Two or more horses getting too close together

19. Making Safety Decisions As you notice safety issues, it is your responsibility to stop the horse and inform the instructor. If you are ever uncertain about anything, guide the horse into the middle of the arena and inform the instructor. As you notice safety issues, it is your responsibility to stop the horse and inform the instructor. If you are ever uncertain about anything, guide the horse into the middle of the arena and inform the instructor.

20. In Case of Emergency Inform The Instructor If another student falls off, stop your horse, and wait for directions from the instructor. If your student falls off, move the horse away from the situation and inform the instructor

21. Quiz Please complete this short quiz and bring it with you to the barn! THANK YOU! Thank you for volunteering your time and energy. Courage Reins could not run without volunteers like you!