Bluebonnet’s Riding Level Descriptions

We want you and your adopted horse to both be happy, so we’ve created a set of riding level descriptions to help you find a horse at Bluebonnet who matches your skill level.  

We realize that riding level is subjective, and everyone defines “beginner” versus “novice” versus “experienced rider” differently. So we created these definitions for those looking to adopt horses from Bluebonnet. These descriptions may not be shared by other rescues or equine professionals, so if you are looking at horses elsewhere we suggest you discuss your expectations with the trainer, instructor, or rescue to make sure your expectations/definitions match theirs.

To help determine where you fit in our definitions, we’ll ask for your input, look over the experience you list on your application, and may also send you a questionnaire or talk to you on the phone. Once we’ve determined your level, you can look at horses at or below your level. If you’ll be working with a trainer, you can also look at horses one step above your level. 

For us, working with a trainer means the horse is either kept with a trainer who rides and trains the horse while also giving you lessons, or it means you are in weekly lessons with the trainer and are not riding unsupervised until the trainer feels comfortable that you can safely ride your horse.

If you are looking at a horse above your riding level at the Bluebonnet Rescue Horse Training Challenge, the horse’s Challenge partner must watch you ride and handle the horse and will have input on the match between you and the horse.

We know that no one likes to be labeled a beginner or novice, but we also know that all horse people start at that level and progress up riding levels as they ride with trainers, attend clinics, and study horses. If you would like to improve your horsemanship, there are demonstrations to watch during the Bluebonnet Horse Expo, and we may be able to refer you to a trainer or instructor in your area. 

At Bluebonnet, we all continue to learn and improve.

A Beginner:

  • Is still learning the basics of riding and horse care
  • Needs supervision while riding and handling horses until they learn how to keep themselves safe in various situations
  • Should always have someone with them while they are riding to help prevent any accidents, answer questions, and help them learn
  • Need a more experienced person guiding and helping them with horsemanship. 

Beginner riders are eligible to adopt beginner horses. We strongly suggest that beginner riders work with a trainer/riding instructor regularly for a minimum of one year. 


A Novice:

  • Has the basic experience with horses
  • Can catch a horse, halter him, lead him, and groom on his/her own  
  • Can mount and dismount unassisted (either from the ground or a mounting block) 
  • Is still learning the basics and riding: steering, stopping, gait changes, etc.
  • Can control and ride comfortably at a walk and trot in an arena or round pen
  • Can load a trained horse into the trailer
  • Is starting to recognize a horse body language and what it means
  • Is beginning to understand what illnesses and lamenesses require immediate veterinary action

Novice riders are eligible to adopt beginner horses or beginner horses with a trainer. We recommend that novice riders continue regularly working with a riding instructor or trainer for a minimum of a year.

An Intermediate:

  • Has a significant amount of experience, both in the saddle and on the ground
  • Is comfortable riding and in control at a walk, trot, and a canter in small and large areas
  • Is comfortable riding a horse of varying degrees of difficulty. 
  • Has the confidence to help the horse continue building their learned skills and can help the horse overcome minor setbacks
  • Has a controlled seat and quiet hands while riding. 
  • May or may not compete in riding competitions.
  • Is able to work with young, green horses under supervision
  • Can use groundwork to help teach horses
  • Understands equine body language
  • Can recognize lameness and illness and knows when to call the veterinarian  

Intermediates can adopt beginner, novice, or Intermediate horses. They may be able to adopt advanced horses if they’re regularly working with a trainer or instructor or will keep the horse with a professional trainer for 3-6 months for additional training. We strongly recommend that intermediate riders take periodic lessons or attention clinics to improve their horsemanship.”

Advanced 

  • Are confident riders
  • Can ride a variety of horses well with very little instruction
  • Can help build a horse’s confidence through some struggles
  • Have ridden most of their lives, have worked with a trainer/mentor for several years, or had several years with intense riding instruction
  • Can ride most horses including working with young/green horses without assistance
  • Can handle and correct behavioral issues such as rearing, striking, kicking, or biting on the ground
  • Can handle and correct some behavioral problems such as crow-hopping, bolting, or spooky under saddle
  • Know advanced maneuvers in their preferred riding discipline and can positively affect the horse they are riding at all times
  • Understand equine body language well 
  • Can recognize and pinpoint lamenesses, recognize diseases and other conditions, and know when to call a veterinarian

Advanced riders are eligible to adopt beginner, Novice, Intermediate horses, or advanced horses. Advanced riders may be eligible to adopt an Expert horse if the horse will be put into training with a professional trainer for a minimum of 6-9 months for additional training.

Expert ( or Professionals)

  • Are typically professional (paid) trainers, retired trainers, or amateurs who have successfully trained their own horses for competition, ranch work, etc. 
  • Have worked with horses at all levels
  • Can teach other riders
  • Can handle behavioral problems such as kicking, biting, rearing, striking, bucking, and bolting on ground or under saddle
  • Often either use horses for ranching work or compete in high levels in horse shows, competitive trail rides, endurance, play day events, roping, etc.

Expert riders are eligible to adopt horses at any level.