Horse games: fun ideas for competitions and training!

Horse games: fun ideas for competitions and training!

Horse games are not only a great way to have fun or playfully compete with friends, but also a learning method that allows you to diversify standard training.

Games are an important training tool because they capture the attention of students in an amazing way and keep them interested in their work.

The very process of playing a game is different from the situation when we invent a game from something else. Playing a game indicates having rules and being competitive. When we turn some ordinary activity into a game, this is a way to achieve the goal in a playful manner.

But when play worth it, and when not?

When NOT to play:

1. The game method is usually not recommended to teach new skills.

The fact is that the formation of new skills requires concentration and work of thought. It is much easier for students if they can focus on acquiring skills before they have to use them under pressure.

2. Do not use the games in the work until the basic skills of the riders become stable.

Before taking part in the games, the rider must learn to use the controls and develop a certain balance. The faster the gait and pace, the more skill is required to use the controls and keep the beat. It is necessary to correctly assess the capabilities of the riders.

3. The game must not harm the horse.

The horse must be comfortable, and whether this condition is met depends on whether the level of training of the rider and the horse itself is appropriate for the game.

Players must be mindful of the safety of the horse. Natural competition between them should not provoke rough treatment of horses.

4. There is no need to involve riders who are afraid in games.

Even at the stage of planning games, take an interest in the fears of the riders. When a person is worried, his fears are exacerbated. Pressure on a rider who is frightened or anxious tends to increase his anxiety. You can also cause the rider’s natural self-defense mode to activate and he will refuse to play.

When you CAN play games:

1. To test and practice new skills.

When a rider has acquired or developed a new skill, such as the precise execution of a trot turn, play is the perfect way to test it.

Games that require the rider to maneuver around or near obstacles can give the rider the opportunity to practice using controls and skills, even if the game is played at the walk or trot.

2. To diversify your workout.

The games can be quite entertaining and the students will cheer each other on. In some way, this will push them towards the ideal performance of tasks. At the same time, games provide an opportunity relax, enjoy the workout andbreathe from serious work.

3. To set a specific task for the rider.

Games can be used to “challenge” the student, to set a task for him. He can compete by himself if you have a stopwatch, with other riders or as part of a team. If you are running group sessions, try dividing the riders into groups.

4. In order to increase the load.

Games are a great way to increase the difficulty when using a skill and still keep the conditions safe for the rider. You can work on your quick orientation and quick thinking skills under pressure.

5. To develop cohesion among students.

Dividing into teams is a great way to bring students together. This can be especially useful for equestrian camps and stables with a lot of young people.

6. To develop the rider’s sense of the horse and automate responses.

Educational games help riders take their minds off their feelings and thoughts about the right thing to do. As they immerse themselves in the situation, they develop reflexes and automatic responses. Rider, automatically using his skills, becomes one step closer to mastery.

Below you will find examples of equestrian games. We hope they will not leave you indifferent!

1. “Washing machine”

Preparing the arena:

• Arrange six pairs of socks around the arena separately in different places.

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• Place the box representing the washing machine on the barrel. If desired, color it accordingly).

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• From two racks and a rope, make a place for drying the “washed”. You will need 6 clothespins. You can use a laundry basket.

A game:

The rider finds a sock and goes in search of a pair to him. Socks are hidden all over the arena – invent interesting places where they can be hidden (in objects, on racks, on horses of other players, etc.). The found socks are given to the player by the presenter (coach).

Having found a pair, the rider goes to the “washing machine”, making his way along the path between the cones.

He puts a pair of socks in the car and returns to look for the next pair, and so on.

Then, to start the “machine”, you will need to press a “button” on it. After that, the rider makes a couple of circles around the arena at a trot, following the instructions of the coach (throws stirrups, reins, spreads his arms to the sides, claps his hands, rides at a front trot without stirrups, etc.).

Then he returns to the car,leaves socks on and rides around the cones to the clothesline to hang up the socks.

You need to complete tasks as quickly and “correctly” as possible.

Safety measures: make sure the horse is not afraid of socks, clothesline and “washing machine”. The dark hole in the box may disturb them.

2. “Feed honey to the bear”

Imagine a teddy bear. He is hungry. Your mission is to find and bring him honey.

A game:

1. We go through the forest from the racks. On the “trees” hang “pots of honey”, we collect honey. (Easy level: remove the plastic ring from the rack. Medium level: collect honey pots printed and cut out of paper from the racks. Difficult level: among the paper bees attached to the rack, we are looking for a paper pot of honey).

2. We return back along the zigzag path of poles or cones.

3. We cross the river from the blue tarpaulin. (If your horses can’t walk on canvas, use two parallel poles or a wooden “bridge”).

4. We bring honey to a bear cub sitting on a barrel!

For this game, you can come up with a wide variety of variations of routes of varying degrees of difficulty.

3. dice game

There are many different ways to use dice in games. Here is one example:

Rules:

1. Two riders stand at the beginning of the center line facing the opposite short wall. (“Running” will run along the center line).

2. Riders take turns rolling dice.

3. Now they will need to go through the number of steps that fell on the die for each.

6. Riders keep rolling the dice and walking until one of them reaches the short wall first!

Work on:

• A clear transition to a step and a stop.
• The exact number of steps! (If more steps have been taken than necessary, you will have to rein back the same number of steps!)

It can be played at a trot or included in the conditions for changing the gait. Riders more advanced levels can do trot/stop/trot transitions.

4. “Mpicnic donuts / Snake / Serpentine “

Preparing the arena:

• Рplace 4 cones on both long walls of the arena opposite each other.
• Place 4 teddy bears (or other toys) on barrels under one short wall (it will be the start).
• Place one barrel at the far end of the arena with a towel on top.

Game:

The teddy bears are having a picnic! The rider takes one toy and rides serpentine from cone to cone up the arena and delivers the toy to the “picnic” (barrel with a towel). Then he trots back for the next toy.

The advantage of this game is that it suits a variety of riders. We all always have something to work on (for example, mlittle kids on ponies or beginner riders on handling, stopping and striding, more experienced riders on independent seating and bending while driving on a serpentine, etc.).

5. “Simon says”

According to the rules of this game, the host (“Simon”) gives the players orders that they must follow. It helps riders to distract themselves from unnecessary thoughts and experiences and redirect their attention to what is happening at the moment, to focus. This game is especially good during the warm-up. You can change the game a bit by saying “Simon” instead of the name of each player’s horse.

6. ‘Red light – green light

Preparing the arena:

• Arrange two obstacle courses along the quarter lines of the arena. Use racks, inverted cones, barrels, etc.
• Install one “start” cone at the beginning of the strip and one “finish” cone at the end.
• If more than two riders are involved in the game, make more obstacle courses or one large one for the entire arena.
• The facilitator will need signs “GO” and “STOP”. You can use red and green sheets of paper (red – STOP, green – GO).

A game:

The rider stands at the “starting” cone facing towards the obstacle course. EHe needs to drive through the lane avoiding obstacles and following the STOP and GO signals given by the leader, deciding when to stop and when to move on.

The first person to cross the lane first wins. If the rider has not stopped within three steps of the signal, he must wait 3 seconds before walking after the next IDN signal.

This game helps to practice stopping, step and control, and in addition, trains peripheral vision (rider you need to not only avoid obstacles, but also follow the STOP and GO signals).

7. “Ping pong”

You only need two (or more) volunteers to play.

Game:

One of the volunteers goes to any place in the arena and shouts “PING” from there. The rider must go there.

Another volunteer goes to another area of ​​the arena and shouts “PONG”, the rider goes there.

Then PING and PONG move alternately.

This game is good for work over control. This is a great way to encourage your students to turn their heads in the direction they are leading the horses. They also learn choose your own routes.

8. “Save the baby”

Preparing the arena:

• 3 barrels and 2 obstacle posts are placed on one side of the arena.
• 4 racks on the center line.
• Plush toys – babies are placed on these two areas.
• 2 racks and 2 poles lying on the ground – on the other side of the arena.
• Plush toys-moms are laid out somewhere else in the arena.

Here’s how it looks:

A game:

The obstacles on the ground (barrels, etc.) are the desert, the posts along the center line are the forest, and the two poles on the ground are the bridge.

Baby toys are lost in the desert and on the treetops of the forest. Riders need to go through obstacles, collect babies and return them to their mothers. However, after they take off the baby, they will first have to go around the Cannibal, who lives under the bridge (coach or assistant). To pass, you need to touch those parts of the horse that the Cannibal indicates. After passing the Cannibal, it will be possible to deliver the baby to mom.

The rules of the game can be changed and diversified!

9. Ring games

Rings are a must-have tool for every coach! There are 1001 ways to practice with rings. We present to your attention only a small list.

First, let’s talk about the types of rings:

Hard rubber rings, including those with a non-smooth surface, are available from pet or dive stores.

Baby bath rings – in children’s stores.

What type of rings to use?

• Smooth rings for sensitive children.
• Non-smooth rings for sensitive children who you work with to increase sensory experience.
• Rings with a non-smooth surface for children who are not able to focus their attention on one thing for a long time. Such a ring returns their attention to themselves.
• Both types of rings when it doesn’t matter, or for children who need help to distinguish between objects (for example, a pink smooth ring and a blue one with a bumpy surface).

Use the type that best motivates the child!

9.1. throwing rings

The rider moves around the arena and collects the rings. He can receive rings from the instructor, remove them from the racks, take them from the sides, etc. In this way, work is done on stops, walking, stretching, and also solves some fitness problems (“Hmm, you can’t reach the ring, what to do?”), Conversational (“Could you pass the ring to me?”) And problems with manners (“Please” and “Thank you”).

Next, the rider needs to try to throw rings on a cone (for example, of the same color), throw them into a hoop or throw them on a crocodile’s tail, etc. This is how you work on the accuracy of the stop, on the skill of sequence, the skill of identifying the same colors (rings and cones, if you chose this option), the skill of hand / eye coordination. Make it harder, let the riders throw the rings at the target on the move, without stopping, by controlling the horse with one hand!

To make the task easier, raise the cones and place them on top of barrels or crates, which will allow the riders to ride up and put on the rings instead of dropping them. This way you will support those riders who fail to hit the target in the initial stages. Later, you can lower the cones to the ground.

Throw rings on the tail of a toy? It’s fun!

And if you find a toy cake with candles, you can please the birthday rider!

9.2. Putting rings on cones

Arrange the cones on the barrels or boxes in different places of the arena (in the corners, along the long wall, near the letters or inside the arena, etc.).

Give the rider six colored rings.

Determine exactly how and which rings to put on which cones, andor set a specific travel route.

As riders get better at the task, you can make it harder (for example, put cones on the ground).

9.3. Rings on racks

Place obstacle posts around the arena (I prefer to place them down the quarter line, because then you can direct the riders along the serpentine).

Give the rider a ring, have him put it on the rack.

You can match the colors of the rings with the colors of the stanchions and work on the skill of matching, or mark the stanchion numbers and call them randomly to the rider or dictate the route so that he remembers.

This game is great for developing stretching and hand-eye coordination skills. If the rider stops too far from the post, you can tilt it towards him if you feel like it, or vice versa, make the rider reach, tilt the post further if the rider is experienced!

9.4. Swords and rings

Make six cardboard ring holders and place them on three cones along each of the long sides of the playpen.

Distribute toy swords to the riders – have them remove the rings with the sword and drop them into a box that is either at the cone or at the opposite end of the arena. The rider can do this by stopping, moving, picking up rings one at a time, or trying several.

9.5. Knight Tournament

Attach rings without posts (be creative, but remember to be safe).

Give the riders a “spear” (even swimming “noodles” can act in its role).

The rider must remove the ring with a spear and return it to the instructor.

For safety reasons, riders should ride in turns or hang the rings far apart from each other.

To make things more difficult, suggest riders not to stop to remove the ring, but to continue walking or trotting. Riders can also switch the spear to the other hand after removing the ring.

9.6. Color combination

You will need several sets of rings of different colors.

Arrange the rings around the arena (on the racks, on the sides of the arena, in the hands of assistants, etc.). Keep one ring from each set.

Ask the riders to choose a ring from you – you can hold them, put them in a bucket, hang them on racks, etc.

Each player puts their ring on their wrist and rides around the arena collecting rings of matching color and returning them to you.

This game is great for developing horse handling skills, control skills, accuracy, combination, developing a sense of proper stopping, etc.

9.7. Rings on the toes of shoes

Hang the rings on the toes of each rider’s boot. Let them ride around the arena, trying not to lose the rings!

To make things more difficult, ask riders to trot or cross the lane.fifth

10. Games and activities for beginners and insecure riders

10.1 Ball in a bucket / box

The rider must take the ball from the helper, ride to the far end of the arena and put it in a bucket or box.

Ideas: Take and hold a basket with 4 balls, and place a bucket or box in each corner of the arena. The rider needs to transfer each ball to the basket in each corner. You can either move around the arena, or perform a certain figure before putting the ball into the bucket.

To complicate the task, you can use skittles. The rider must place them on an overturned box or bucket!

10.2. Balancing balls

The rider needs to take the ball from the helper and take it to a specific cone in the arena, then place it on top of the cone (tennis balls are great).

Ideas: Arrange 4-6 cones in the center line and give the rider one ball each to set one ball per cone at a time in turn.

Complicating the task: give the rider a jar of four balls, have each ball placed on each cone.

10.3. Rings on cones

The rider needs to put six colored rings on six cones located on the boxes in different places of the arena, for example, in the corners, down the length of the wall, on the letters.

Ideas: the rider carries all 6 rings and puts them on the cones in the sequence in which the leader dictates to him, or he rides along a certain route.

If the rider is doing well, you can make the task more difficult by placing the cones on the ground so that he has to throw the rings.

Cone to Cone:

…and a cone on a box:

10.4. Fishing

The rider holds an aquarium net in his hand. He needs to go to the other end of the arena, where there is a bucket of water (or just a box) in which plastic multi-colored balls “float”. The rider must “catch a fish” with a net. You can complicate: catch a fish of the color that the leader chooses, transfer it in a net to another box or bucket, while moving at a trot and (or) performing certain figures.

10.5. sticks

The sticks game is built on the same principle as the ball in a bucket/box game, but this time you will need small hollow tubes/sticks/cylinders, etc.

If you are using hollow tubes, try putting them on poles/poles placed around the arena. You can use cardboard cylinders from toilet paper rolls or paper towels.

10.6. Flags

Make flags. Take large cones (they have holes in the top). Install the cones either along the center line or arbitrarily, for example, in the corners. The rider takes one flag from the assistant and arranges them in cones.

The rider, having spread the flags, can collect them back, one at a time or all together.

10.7. Postman

Arrange 8 containers or boxes on the letters of the arena. Prepare “letters” (you can laminate paper envelopes for durability).

Riders must deliver letters to the letter indicated by the host, and pick up the “package” from there: a ball, a toy, etc., return to X and give it to the host. Take the “letter” again and take it to the indicated letter, etc. You can give the riders bags so that they deliver and collect several parcels at once along a given route.

This game is also good because it helps novice riders to remember the location of the letters on the arena.

10.8. Playing with balance

The rider is given a badminton racket and with it he rides along a given route, balancing a small object on the racket.

The rider can take the object to a certain place and throw it into a box or bucket.

You can diversify the game and make a relay race: riders will pass the item to the next participants!

10.9. egg and spoon

The rider, holding a boiled egg in a spoon, must travel along a certain route. Instead of an egg, you can use balls, apples or potatoes – whatever is the right size.

You can complicate the task: the rider carries the object “there” with a step, and “back” with a trot, etc.

10.10. Football

Arrange five cones at one end of the arena (either on boxes or on the ground, depending on rider experience). The rider reaches the marker with a soccer ball in his hands and tries to knock down as many cones as possible by throwing the ball at them.

Skittles can be used as targets and smaller balls can be thrown at them. The leader should have 2-3 balls, the rider drives up behind them along a certain route, making 2-3 approaches.

The game can be a team game.

10.11. basketball game

You will need a baby hoop attached to a board on one side of the playpen. You can put a box or box under it, into which the balls will fall. The essence of the game is the same as in the game “Football”, but now the rider will have to hit the ring in order to get points. If the ball fell into the box – 5 points, on the ground – 3 points, etc.

You can play in teams by placing two hoops on opposite short walls of the arena.

10.12. Golf

Use a children’s golf set and small plastic balls.

The rider must knock the balls off the cones placed around the arena.

He will need to drive the ball to specific targets around the arena in order to score points.

Then the ball is driven into the box by the rider.

10.13. Polocross with plastic containers for beginners

You will need at least two plastic food containers and some light balls.

1. A rider must not lose the ball while carrying it around the arena in a container.

2. While the rider is riding around the arena, he needs to toss the ball and catch it back into the container.

3. The Athlete rides around the arena with a ball in a container and must drop it into a box at a designated spot on the arena.

4. The rider catches in the container during the stop a ball thrown by another rider.

5. The rider tries, stopping between two riders, to throw the ball to one and catch the ball from the other.

6. The rider attempts to throw and catch the ball while walking or trotting etc.

You can increase the speed of the game as the skills of the riders grow. In addition, the container can be tied to a bamboo stick to make the game even more like the original polocross (you will need a helper on the ground).

10.14 Balancing with a bag of beans

You will need either a homemade bag of beans (rice, buckwheat or any other cereal), or a “relaxation” bag filled with balls.

The rider must ride along the given figures (route), balancing the bag on his head, holding it on his outstretched arm, under his chin, etc.

10.15. Cocktails

Take two unbreakable cups and some “water”. The rider holds a cup in each hand and pours water from one to the other while the helper leads the horse.

After filling one of the cups, stretch your hand with it to the side or up. Or pour water into both cups and raise both arms above your head, spread them apart like an airplane, stretch them forward.

10.16. Buckets with water

Use plastic buckets, small cans, or other containers with a handle. The rider needs to draw water into a bucket in one bucket, move to another and pour water into it. You can set a time limit or continue until the bucket is full. If the rider is inexperienced, he may need an assistant!

A confident rider can trot or canter.

10.17. Playing with a gymnastic ball with a handle (“hopper”)

You will need some children’s gymnastic balls with handles. Lay baskets around the arena, in every second there should be a ball. The rider drives up to the basket with the ball, picks it up and transports it to an empty basket, then rides and takes the ball from the next basket, etc.

Beginner riders can simply pick up the ball and ride a particular route or pattern.

You can arrange a kind of relay race. When one rider drops the ball into the basket, the second is already standing at this basket and picks up the ball to take it to the next empty basket, where the third rider, or the previous one, is already standing.

10.18. Treasure Hunt

Various items are placed around the arena or even outside, on the territory of the stable (if the rider is experienced enough). After receiving a list of items, the rider must collect them in the bag.

To make the game more interesting, you can make an obstacle course.

10.19. Obstacle course

You can use barrels, flags, cones, etc. as obstacles that the rider needs to go around.

The strip can pass both along the arena and go outside (into the levada, etc.) – this depends on the capabilities of the rider.

10.20. Sword and rings

On each of the long walls of the arena, place three cones. Put cardboard cylinders on the cones – these are ring holders. Using toy swords, riders must pick up rings and drop them into a box next to each cone or at the end of a long arena wall. You can pick up rings both while stopping and on the move (depending on the abilities of the riders).

Complicating the task: collect all three rings at once and take them to the box at the end of the arena or collect all 6!

10.21. tunnel race

Riders reach a certain point in the arena, dismount, crawl through the tunnel (the assistant must hold the horse), mount the horse and ride to the finish line. The finish and start are marked with cones.

The game can be played as a relay race. The tunnel is made high. You can dismount and lead the horse through the tunnel in your hands, if all the horses are comfortable with this. You can ride on it and on horseback. But, be careful, especially if the day is windy!

10.22. Moving cups

You will need 5 racks and 2 cups. We put the racks in a line, the cups – on 1 and 3 racks.

The rider rides to stand 1, removes the cup and puts it on stand 2, rides around stand 5, drives up to stand 3 and swaps cups from stands 2 and 3. Thus, going around the line each time from one end to the other, the rider rearranges the cups so that they change places and take positions 1 and 5, respectively.

10.23. bottle race

Use 2 plastic bottles and 3 crates/barrels.

The rider starts with a bottle in his hands. He puts it on the middle drawer, drives to the last drawer and picks up the bottle, then drives to the first and leaves it there. (You can arrange a relay race).

10.24. Flag game

You will need 4 large cones and 4 flags. The rider carries the first flag and places it in the opening of the cone, comes back, takes the second flag and places it in the second cone, and so on.

10.25. Garbage collection

The rider is holding in hand a bamboo stick with a sharp end and picks up “garbage” in the arena (plastic bottles, papers, bags). He takes the garbage to the starting point and leaves it there, passes the stick to another rider or continues to collect the garbage himself.

Transfer Valeria Smirnova based on materials from the sites http://www.lessonsintr.com and http://theridinginstructor.net.

• Nikki82 27 February 2018 city

  Thank you! Answer