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Types of "Green" Horse
Young or Older Horse NOT STARTED
It is more common than people think to run across horses of all ages that have not been started with any groundwork or under-saddle work.
This sweet horse unraced thoroughbred was 4 years old at the time this picture was taken. He had never done any groundwork, and I was prepping him for loading the trailer when we captured this moment. I purchased him from a cattle farmer that didn't know how to train a horse. (originally purchased for his 5 year old daughter)
I started him under-saddle, put him through the foundational program, and he found a fantastic home in less than a year.
Although he completed the entire foundational training program, due to his age, and lack of experience in the world, he certainly is considered "green."
Young or Older Horse Started with GROUNDWORK TRAINING ONLY
There are a lot of horses in need of that "next" step, to move into a more regimented groundwork program that will lead to getting under-saddle.
This sweet girl was barely halter broke, had never seen a farrier and 4 years old at the time this picture was taken. She was brought into her new family as a "project" and the owner wanted her to learn how to be polite on the ground for her first farrier appointment. After only 8 training sessions, she now picks up all 4 hooves, and allows herself to be trimmed. But she will continue to need her owner to work with her in order to get more mileage with multiple people working around her. Her background of having very little handling, as well as some rough handling, has understandably made her a more apprehensive personality. So she is most definitely considered "green."
Young or Older Horse Started with UNDER-SADDLE TRAINING ONLY
This is also a very common occurrence. I have owned many a great horse that had little to no groundwork training, but had been trained to ride.
This sweet soul was a gelding that could trail ride, he could lead and he could follow. He was unhappy being by himself but could cope. He was taught to halter, bridle and lead and that was the extent of his groundwork. This guy also could participate in cattle drives, but in an arena setting, was very unsure of himself. His whole life had been on trails, where he could follow a pathway. When a rider asked him for patterns, using his body more effectively or isolating body parts, he was not able to comply. This guy would have benefited from foundational training on the ground and under-saddle. So even though he is in his 20's, he is still considered "green."
Young or Older Horse with DISCIPLINE TRAINING ONLY
Perhaps this is the most common client I have. The horse owner that has a horse that had discipline training, but as they have grown in their partnership, the owner has discovered that the horse has "holes" in his training, particularly on the ground.
This is my ISH gelding Cruisetown, and prior to my adopting him, he had been a 1.15 jumper. When I restarted him, he told me he needed to start from scratch. Suffering from medical issues and habitual defensiveness behavior most likely from medical pain in his past, Cruise needed to learn to work with me on the ground. That included respecting boundaries, and once we opened up a dialogue, he began to really enjoy our groundwork sessions. Those groundwork sessions led to under-saddle sessions and now he works in an arena without bolting and rearing, and enjoys being hacked on a trail. Most importantly, he recognizes me and enjoys my company. At age 19, I still consider this 17.2 hand love bug "green."
Young or Older Horse with FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING ONLY
The horse with a good foundational start in life is generally going to be a desirable horse. He or she should have a solid understanding of self-regulation, be confident from exposure to stimuli, can confidently perform one-rein stops, can release to pressure, respects humans on the ground and under-saddle and has learned to be teachable.
This sweet OTTB completed his foundational training and moved on to become a beginner novice jumper. So even though he has had foundational training, he is still considered "green" in his discipline and also due to his age, being under 8 years old.