Level I
This is the beginning stage of horse training for both the new wild horse and the new inmate. The Wild Horse Supervisor teaches the inmate how to be safe around horses and the horse begins to learn that humans are not a danger to them. Trust is beginning to build for both inmate and horse.

Level IA: A wild horse is turned out of a chute with all the new inmates forming a circle and standing against the wall in a large round pen. This begins to teach the inmate and the horse to bond in a non-resistant way. The wild horse will make a circle of the pen looking and smelling. This horse is looking for a way out and identifies the individual that is the least aggressive inmate in the group. As Ray Hunt would say, “The horse is trying to find the best deal it can under the circumstances.”

When the horse has completed the circle it will go back to the person that is the least aggressive, and lower its head to the ground. Then the horse will go around the pen and stop in front of the inmate that is the most aggressive. Stops, ears will go up, and the horse will snort at this inmate. This snorting means that the horse senses danger. The horse will then be released back in to the wild horse pens. While all this is going on, Mike is reading the horse and the inmate.

Level IB: A second wild horse is placed in the chute and is approached by each Level 1 inmate. They begin to place a hand on this horse through the chute gate. This is the first experience that the horse has to feel the human touch. It also is the first time many of the inmates have ever felt a horse. Again, we are building trust between the horse and the inmate. The horse is then released back into the wild horse pens. This level may be repeated several times until the horse becomes less resistant to the human touch.

Level IC: After the horse becomes less resistant to the human touch, a halter is placed on the horse while in the chute. A bungee cord is attached to the halter and tied to the side of the chute. This introduces the horse to pressure and release. The inmate learns to give back rather than take.

Level ID: After the horse begins to accept the halter and bungee cord, you take off the bungee cord and a 30-foot cotton rope is attached to the halter on the horse while it is standing in the chute. With 3 or 4 men holding on to the rope the horse is released out of the chute. This is the introduction to the horse learning to lead. Once the horse stops, the inmate is taught to give slack. The inmate learns to give back in order to establish harmony.

Level IE: After the horse is beginning to learn to lead, the horse is tied to an inner tube that is attached to the fence. This keeps the horse from injuring its neck if it falls back on the lead rope. Tying up the horse teaches it patience and respect. This exercise is also designed to encourage inmates patience & respect for the horse.

Level II
This is a more advanced, hands-on training program where the horse learns to be handled in the open without a chute. The horse at this level learns to let the inmate wash it, brush it, and pick up its feet.

Level III
As the inmates progress with their horse handling skills, they are moved up in the level system just like the horses. At Level III, inmates begin to get the horse used to the saddle blanket and saddle on its back. A snaffle bit is placed in the horse’s mouth for the first time. The horse is asked to flex its body left and right. This teaches the horse to move in the direction you ask when you are on its back. The inmate is learning to “ask “ the horse and not “demand “ of the horse.

Level IV
This is the last step in the level system for both the horse and inmate. The horse is taught to accept a man on its back for the first time. The horse is taught to walk trot and lope. To be successful, the inmate must make a commitment to stay in control of himself and still maintain control of the horse without aggression.