Horse Registration Levels

Each level has a very specific set of criteria and requirements. The levels are sequential, with Level 1 as the foundation and Level III and IV as more advanced. You begin with Level I to attain Level II, from Level II you gain more skills by visits and visit hours and move on to Level III. From Level III you will build even more skills with more intensive visits and experiences and move to Level IV. Most horses will perform their duties from skills gained in Level I or II. The four levels indicate the type of training a horse has to best thrive in a particular atmosphere. Some horses will always stay at Level II, because the horse prefers one on one interaction with people. Other horses will be placed in the Level III or IV registration because the horse enjoys parades, high energy, lots of commotion, and large crowds of people. Evaluation during training will help determine proper registration and placement for each therapy horse.

The average age that a horse will start training will vary, it depends on the particular horse and their handler. The horse must be at least 6 months of age before you test for a Level I Registration; which means you can start training as early as you feel appropriate. The length of time to train for the different levels will depend on your horse’s abilities as well as your abilities as a trainer. Of course, all the time is affected by how much you are able to get your horse out to do all that has to be done. 

You will be responsible for keeping detailed logs on training, visits and visit hours, vet records, as well as pictures and videos of your activity with your horse.

APPRENTICE Level I Registration

A Level I horse has completed all the necessary training to be able to make their first visit. They have worked thru obstacles, mock-visit training, loud noises and other experiences that are not normal for the average horse. The trainer/handler believes they have prepared this horse, to the best of their ability, to make a safe first visit.

Since this Level is the building block, there is no prior visits or visit hours required to register.

Intermediate Level II Registration

A Level II horse is ready to make a “soft visit”. This kind of visit is usually to a Lowe’s or Home Depot or Walmart stores. You will also build to doing a nursing home visit. The interactions at these events can be controlled, generally meeting one person at a time. The handler notes during the visit any new encounters, and takes these evaluations back to train further.

A horse is required to have completed at least 15 visits and at least 20 visit hours before they are able to register for the Level II test. During the Level II test, you will be required to show that your horse can still complete these tasks required for Level I along with some additional requirements for the advanced level.

Advanced Level III Registration

A Level III horse is able to make “hard visits”. These visits are in a less controlled atmosphere, with more people. The interactions at these events are generally with a group of people, more energy, and more going on. The handler is the advocate for the horse, and relies on the training they have done with the horse. This level is designed to meet the needs of most usual types of therapy visits a handler will be asked to bring a horse to.

A horse is required to have completed at least 25 visits and at least 30 visit hours before they are able to register for the Level III test. During the Level III test, you will be required to show that your horse can still complete these tasks required for Level I and II along with some additional requirements for the advanced level.

Master Level IV Registration

A Level IV horse has been consistently making a high level of visits and training for over 12 months. The select horses in the level have been exposed to all types of visits, and can easily do a visit in any atmosphere. These type of visits require extensive advanced training because of the surroundings, and the activity of visitors is unknown. There is always constant training and finesse that goes into this horse. The Master Level IV Registration is given with the understanding that the horse will continue to do 50-75 visit hours per year of scheduled visits. If consistent training is lost, registration is terminated. The horse will need to re-test with the Level III registration and work towards Level IV again.

A horse is required to have completed 50+ visits and at 55+ visit hours before they are able to register for the Level IV test. It is very difficult to achieve a Level IV Registration; these types of visits require a lot of advanced training because the surroundings and activity of the people are unknown. During the Level IV test, you will be required to show that your horse can still complete these tasks required for Level I, II and III along with some additional requirements for the Master Level.