Tagged with Obstacles

Trail Pattern & Leg Yield

Yesterday was the last day of the session, so I wanted to do something extra fun. It was also very hot, so we couldn’t trot. Therefore I made a long trail course! I used it to teach them various obstacles they might encounter on a real outdoor trail ride, as well as work on the specific … Continue reading

The Honey Bear Obstacle Course

A friend told me about this activity she saw someone do with their students, and I thought it was cute enough to share! However, I forgot exactly how it went so I may have added some of my own embellishments. Enjoy! The Honey Bear Obstacle Course Introduce the bear. He is hungry. Your mission is … Continue reading

Obstacle Course + Grooming Tools

This is a nice activity I did with my students this week: Arena setup: 2 barrels 1 bucket with grooming tools on the first barrel 1 bucket empty on the second barrel 1 ground pole (or more if desired) 4 weaving cones Woah at the barrel. Get a grooming tool. Have rider take a grooming … Continue reading

“5 Themed Lesson Plans that Work” article

PATH Intl. has posted the handouts from the 2012 Conference at the 2012 PATH Conference Handouts website! One of them is the handout “5 Themed Lesson Plans that Work”. It present 5 Themed Units with 5 Lessons each, resulting in 25 Lesson Plans! The 5 themes are: Drill Team Western Dressage Challenge Course Cavaletti Gymkhana It also includes these … Continue reading

3 Step Pattern

The 3 step pattern is great! Put any number of obstacles in the arena and give your student 3 to do in a row, and repeat the pattern to work on your goal. I like it best to work on steering, memory, and/or independence. Arena Set Up: 4 cones in a line 2 parallel poles … Continue reading

Resources from the Special Olympics website

I love these resources, so I’m pointing them out in a post! (They are also listed on my Resources page). Equestrian Special Olympics Coaching Guide – explains how to train a student over several months for competing aka lesson planning, various skills and riding information the student needs to know, warm up exercises, stretching and strengthening, correct body … Continue reading

“Outdoor Trail” Lesson Plan 1

I did this lesson in the arena, but the theme was outdoor trail. Preparation – find pictures of the following obstacles one might encounter on an outdoor trail ride and print them on thick cardstock. I used Google Images to find them. Animals (deer) A Road New Objects (tractors, cars, etc.) Up Hill Down Hill … Continue reading

Trail Class, Obstacles and Patterns

Trail Class Trail is a great subject to incorporate into your lessons. You can use it to… practice skills such as direct steering, using all 4 aids, backing, sidepass, etc. prepare them for outdoor trail rides teach them how to introduce horses to new objects – don’t hold your breath because your horse feels your … Continue reading