What is a Green Horse?

After watching the Wizard of Oz one might think that a green horse is one that has been dyed green for a movie, or maybe he rolled one too many times in the grass resulting in stains.  "Green horse" is actually a common term in the horse world for a horse who doesn't know very much and hasn't received much training or education.

The opposite of "green" would be a "finished" horse.  (That makes sense, right?  Why not orange, you say?  Who knows.  Vocabulary is tricky.)

The disconcerting thing about the terms is that training levels mean different things to different people.  Some people will say a horse is green if he has merely had a saddle put on his back and someone sat on him once.  Other people will say a horse is green if he hasn't yet started upper level maneuvers.

Some of the things "finished" is not:

• If a kid can ride it, that doesn't mean it's a finished horse. 
• If it is an adult, say 10 years or more, it doesn't mean it's a finished horse.
• If it doesn't buck, that doesn't mean it's a finished horse.
• If you can stand on it's back while waving a flag tied to a tarp being shredded by a running lawnmower it doesn't mean the horse is finished.  Just means he's not jumpy...  or he's been sedated.

My own personal standards for identifying a horse's training level are quite high.  When I first start a horse under saddle to teach him how to be a riding horse I don't even call him green until the rider has control and steering when on him at the walk, trot, and canter, and the horse will reliably stop and back up.  Once he can do those things, then I'll call him green.  When he can do these things in a balanced frame, he knows his leads, and can be ridden reliably by most anyone who knows what they are doing, THEN I'll call him trained. Finished is a term reserved for horses who have proceeded as far as they can physically go in the training pyramid, and are able to then teach less experienced riders necessary skills.  Another term for a horse with this level of training who can teach people is "schoolmaster".

For examples from my barn:

Rain, a 12 year old paint mare is very gentle with kids.  She is friendly, will let anyone ride her at the walk and trot, and will let an advanced rider canter her, though it is rough and she doesn't understand about leads.  She has traveled to several states and been in several clinics, she rides out bravely on the trails.  She has not had much formal training.  Because of the knowledge she is still lacking, she is green.

Rain at a Centered Riding Clinic in Kansas

Cole, a 13 year old Connemara gelding is also very gentle with kids.  He has been in a professional training program since he was a yearling.  He is very friendly, will let anyone walk, trot, canter, and jump him.  He knows his leads, does beautiful lateral work, will do canter pirouettes, half pass, and truly teaches his students.  His personality is quirky, he hates trail riding, but is the ideal arena horse.  Cole is a trained and finished schoolmaster.

Kim and Cole jumping in a clinic with Olympic Coach, Greg Best

Highboy, a 4 year old thoroughbred gelding, is friendly to everyone but doesn't understand about minding his manners with everyone yet.  His trainer can handle him, lead him around, and ride him, but he doesn't know enough yet to have other people use him reliably and safely.  While Highboy was a finished (though slow and unsuccessful) racehorse, he is not yet green as a riding horse.

Kim riding Highboy working on gas, brakes, and steering

How to tell if a horse is green:  This is not a judgement that a beginner rider or novice horse person can make.  When looking at a horse before purchasing him, it is best to go shopping with an experienced horse professional, preferably your trainer or riding instructor.  During the evaluation visit the seller will show you the horse.  The seller should ride the horse, then your trainer rides the horse.  Ideally your trainer knows you, your abilities and skills, and has the experience and knowledge to tell whether the horse is safe and appropriate for you.  If she thinks the horse may be a good fit, your trainer will then have you ride, and coach you while you are riding so you can feel how the horse rides and determine if you like him.  A novice simply doesn't have the experience to evaluate a horse's training level and determine how green a horse is, a professional is needed to make that judgement.