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Advanced Horse Training
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| Advanced Horse Training |
Doing the same old routines or practicing the same tasks every time you ride gets
boring. Not just for you, but for your horse too. There are a lot of ways to exercise your
horse – some of them can even be fun. Playing games on horseback can be a fun way to
exercise and increase your riding skills. Games can create a stress free environment in
which you can use the skills that you have, and the opportunity to try out some new
ideas. I’ll share three simple games that can be played to help you to improve your
balance, speed, and agility on the horse.
A Simple Game of Tag
Tag is a great game. You can implement whatever simple rules you like (i.e. bareback
or saddles, walk/trot only or faster speeds), but the basic idea is the same. One person is
“it” and their goal in the game is to touch someone else. Then that person is “it.” And so
on, and so on until someone gets hurt or the sun goes down. Tag is a great game to play
at the end of a group riding lesson, or whenever you feel like having some fun. Tag
teaches us how to chase, out maneuver, and evade other riders. Your balance will get
better, and your riding reflexes will improve. Your horse will become more calm riding
around other horses and with making rapid changes in speed and direction. Most
importantly, you’ll do it all while having fun!
“Reality”
I have a family and a lot of work that needs to get done in a day. When I do get a
chance to ride one of my horses, I only get a small amount of time. As a result, I’ve had to
learn how to get my horses ready to ride in a hurry. I can’t afford to spend half an hour
getting the horse tacked up to ride. With that in mind, I call this game “Reality” though
you may have heard of similar games referred to by different names.
This game is a race. It is meant to test the skill and grace under pressure of both you
and your horse. It can be dangerous, and while most of the tough stuff is done on the
ground, I still recommend wearing a helmet. You start with a group of riders standing
next to their horses. When the race starts, the riders must get on their horses (bareback)
and ride a predetermined distance to where their saddle is located. Then the riders must
dismount and saddle their horse. I strongly recommend not tying the horses up to
saddle them. You’ll have to learn how to do it without cross ties or anything like that.
Once the horse has the saddle completely on, the rider mounts the horse again and rides
back to the finish line. I stress having the saddle completely on because there is always
someone who tries to get on without having the straps hooked up and they get hurt.
This game sounds easy, but its not. It incorporates both bareback and saddle riding
at faster speeds which can be difficult for some. However the real test is the saddling.
You would be amazed at how many people are not good at saddling their horses
quickly. You will also see how many horses are not good at it. This game is simple but
challenging. It is also a fun way to practice a skill that we all need when it comes to
horses.
Catch Me If You Can
When I played sports in school and we had to run and do sprints, we would play a
game called Catch-Up. It is really easy to play and offers a great cardiovascular workout
for your horse. With a sizeable group of riders, preferably in a large pasture or on the
trail, you ride in a single file line. At a given moment, a signal is given and the last two
riders begin riding to the front of the line as fast as they can. One rider runs on one side
of the line while the other rider rides on the opposite side. The idea is to try to get to the
front of the line first. Once the riders get to the front of the line, the winner gloats over the
loser and the next two riders start their run to the front.
This game is great for team events where the horses need to work together and be fit.
Getting the horse moving helps to exercise the horse’s heart and entire cardiovascular
system. The sprints help to alter the heart rate even more which is better. It is also a
great way to get the horse used to horses running past them. Most importantly, it’s a
way to exercise your horse without really thinking about it. You don’t have to count laps
or keep track of the time. You get a little competition and a lot of exercise.
Although none of these games are going to be played in the Olympics, they are great
fun for children of all ages. They require no outstanding riding skill, but they offer a lot of
riding benefits. You and your horse will get a good workout. You’ll really improve on
some simple concepts like turning and speed changes. You may even remember why
you started riding – because its fun! Regardless of whether you try these games or not,
try to have fun riding. If you can’t have fun with horses, they just become really
expensive pets.
boring. Not just for you, but for your horse too. There are a lot of ways to exercise your
horse – some of them can even be fun. Playing games on horseback can be a fun way to
exercise and increase your riding skills. Games can create a stress free environment in
which you can use the skills that you have, and the opportunity to try out some new
ideas. I’ll share three simple games that can be played to help you to improve your
balance, speed, and agility on the horse.
A Simple Game of Tag
Tag is a great game. You can implement whatever simple rules you like (i.e. bareback
or saddles, walk/trot only or faster speeds), but the basic idea is the same. One person is
“it” and their goal in the game is to touch someone else. Then that person is “it.” And so
on, and so on until someone gets hurt or the sun goes down. Tag is a great game to play
at the end of a group riding lesson, or whenever you feel like having some fun. Tag
teaches us how to chase, out maneuver, and evade other riders. Your balance will get
better, and your riding reflexes will improve. Your horse will become more calm riding
around other horses and with making rapid changes in speed and direction. Most
importantly, you’ll do it all while having fun!
“Reality”
I have a family and a lot of work that needs to get done in a day. When I do get a
chance to ride one of my horses, I only get a small amount of time. As a result, I’ve had to
learn how to get my horses ready to ride in a hurry. I can’t afford to spend half an hour
getting the horse tacked up to ride. With that in mind, I call this game “Reality” though
you may have heard of similar games referred to by different names.
This game is a race. It is meant to test the skill and grace under pressure of both you
and your horse. It can be dangerous, and while most of the tough stuff is done on the
ground, I still recommend wearing a helmet. You start with a group of riders standing
next to their horses. When the race starts, the riders must get on their horses (bareback)
and ride a predetermined distance to where their saddle is located. Then the riders must
dismount and saddle their horse. I strongly recommend not tying the horses up to
saddle them. You’ll have to learn how to do it without cross ties or anything like that.
Once the horse has the saddle completely on, the rider mounts the horse again and rides
back to the finish line. I stress having the saddle completely on because there is always
someone who tries to get on without having the straps hooked up and they get hurt.
This game sounds easy, but its not. It incorporates both bareback and saddle riding
at faster speeds which can be difficult for some. However the real test is the saddling.
You would be amazed at how many people are not good at saddling their horses
quickly. You will also see how many horses are not good at it. This game is simple but
challenging. It is also a fun way to practice a skill that we all need when it comes to
horses.
Catch Me If You Can
When I played sports in school and we had to run and do sprints, we would play a
game called Catch-Up. It is really easy to play and offers a great cardiovascular workout
for your horse. With a sizeable group of riders, preferably in a large pasture or on the
trail, you ride in a single file line. At a given moment, a signal is given and the last two
riders begin riding to the front of the line as fast as they can. One rider runs on one side
of the line while the other rider rides on the opposite side. The idea is to try to get to the
front of the line first. Once the riders get to the front of the line, the winner gloats over the
loser and the next two riders start their run to the front.
This game is great for team events where the horses need to work together and be fit.
Getting the horse moving helps to exercise the horse’s heart and entire cardiovascular
system. The sprints help to alter the heart rate even more which is better. It is also a
great way to get the horse used to horses running past them. Most importantly, it’s a
way to exercise your horse without really thinking about it. You don’t have to count laps
or keep track of the time. You get a little competition and a lot of exercise.
Although none of these games are going to be played in the Olympics, they are great
fun for children of all ages. They require no outstanding riding skill, but they offer a lot of
riding benefits. You and your horse will get a good workout. You’ll really improve on
some simple concepts like turning and speed changes. You may even remember why
you started riding – because its fun! Regardless of whether you try these games or not,
try to have fun riding. If you can’t have fun with horses, they just become really
expensive pets.
| It's All Fun and Games by Michael Hockemeyer |