Second Chance Horse Rescue Discussion Boards

SecondChance · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject: Beginner lessons

OK I need some ideas for the beginners I teach on Fridays.

They're not ready to ride on their own yet (each has a helper leading them so more than one can participate at a time) and I want some suggestions on more games/activities besides the usual riding without stirrups, stretching exercises etc. I need to keep them amused and make it fun for them.

They're all 7 and under in age and only ride for half an hour each.

The mums want to see constant activity to ensure they're getting their $$ worth it needs to be something they can all do together instead of one at a time.
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Muso · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 630

"Simon says" is a good one (incorporating position/balance moves).

Counting aloud the beats of strides. Doing this with their eyes closed is fun and exciting for them, and still safe as they're being led by adults.

Treasure hunt: put special messages tied around trees that are reachable from horseback. The messages could be interesting age-appropriate horse trivia. Parents can lead them up to the trees.

Before they mount, a good fun exercise is to let them all have a go at identifying a point of the horse, one by one. You can do this by giving them a post-it note pad with one point on each page (ie fetlock). They can pick a post-it note and stick it on the horse (has to be a placid pony that is willing to stand there though)!.

Type up some homework for them, to bring to the next lesson. Nothing full-on, just a little multichoice and a colour-in or something. Give them all a sticker (you can buy a whole page of glittery horse stickers from red dot for $2).

Other than that, there're all the position exercises which are kid friendly.

Make sure each activity is short & sweet, interesting and designed to make them laugh. Above all, it has to be safe (which I'm sure you'd be). Throw in some formal instruction though - parents include this in their 'value for money' (as opposed to just having fun).
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shadowkat · Joined: 21 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: perth, wa

Round-the-worlds. Slide off horse's butt (if it doesn't kick!). Small obstacle courses, egg-and-spoon type things. Close eyes and count beats of horse's stride.
My mum had a giant foam dice that she used for littlies at Pony Club - each number represented a different activity (like a round-the-world or whatever). Kids would roll the dice then do that activity.