The Leyden method Level One, taught like a trade.
Seven courses, 46 skills, a textbook and a logbook. A skill is mastered only when you can do it alone, signed off by more than one instructor.
The program
A trade school for horsemanship
Level One Foundational Horsemanship runs like a trade school: a textbook, Soft Is Strong: The Art of Horsemanship by Zachary Leyden with Kalea Leyden; a skills logbook, the Level One Packet; and seven courses, Course 100 to Course 106.
A skill counts only when you can do it on your own, with no coaching: the Zero Assistance Standard. Instructors sign skills off at the barn, and a skill is mastered only after repeat sign-offs from more than one instructor. Above both standards sits one rule: the horse comes first.
The first four courses are online and free. Passing Level One opens a lease, a dedicated instructor, a custom next level, and our endurance and clinic outings.
At a glance
- CoursesSeven, Course 100 to 106, four free online
- Skills46, in the Level One Packet
- Program feeNone; taught through lessons
The courses
What Level One covers
Feel, timing and balance run through every course. The language is pressure and release.
Course 100: Equine Science and Care
Barn safety, grooming, saddling and aftercare. Free online.
Course 101: Ethology and Safety
Reading the horse, leading, tying, bridling and the round pen. Free online.
Course 102: Ground Mechanics
Flexion, disengaging, backing and desensitizing. Free online.
Course 103: Applied Equitation
Mounting, seat, rein, transitions, stops and the trail. Free online.
Course 104: Confidence and Desensitizing
Pressure and release in depth, the vet and farrier, trailer loading.
Courses 105 and 106
Bareback balance, trail obstacles and collection, then Liberty Preparation, taught with praise, never treats.
Pricing
What Level One costs
There is no program fee. Level One is taught through ordinary lessons.
- Courses 100 to 103 onlineFree, exams included
- The Level One PacketFree download, 24 pages
- Lessons at the barn$160 single, from $91.67 in the Club
Before the 3.6% card processing charge. Compare the Lesson Club
How it works
From first course to next level
Step 1 Start at home
Create a free account, work Course 100 to 103 online, and print the packet.
Step 2 Earn the sign-offs
At the barn, across instructors and horses, one skill at a time, until all 46 are signed.
Step 3 Build your next level
Sit down with Zachary and Kalea Leyden and your favorite instructor to plan the next level around your goals.
It depends on how often you ride. The packet is the honest measure, not the calendar, and weekly riders move fastest.
So you learn to problem solve with any horse, not one favourite. Mastery needs sign-offs from more than one instructor for the same reason.
Yes. Course 100 to Course 103 are free with a free account, exams included, whether or not you take lessons.
You can lease one of our horses from one day a week to full time, be paired with a dedicated instructor, build a custom next level, and join endurance rides and clinic outings.
Yes. Children follow the same packet at their own pace from age 3; beach and trail riding waits until age 8.
No. Every lesson is on a barn horse. Leasing or owning comes after Level One, if you want it.
Ocean View Stables, Daly City
Start Level One
Work the first four courses free at home, then book your first lesson and bring the packet.