Horseback Riding Games and Activities

Learning Through Games on Horseback

Learning to ride horses should be about safety, technique and form, but it should also be about having fun. During our summer camps, we often play horseback riding games so that our campers are sure to have fun, and to break the monotony of riding in circles around an arena. As an instructor, it’s permissable to break the mold every once in a while and introduce a new concept to your riders.

All of the following horseback riding games offer the following:

1. An increased understanding of cues to the horse.
2. A better ability to guide and cue the horse.
3. A sense of accomplishment for even a beginning rider.
4. Fun for both rider and instructor
5. The horses even seem to enjoy them!

RED LIGHT/GREEN LIGHT

This is an old favorite of pre-school and kindergarten classes, but it can also be played on horseback! Riders line up on one side of the arena, and the instructor stands at the other. You can use rope or string to mark starting and finishing lines, or orange cones will work as well.

Red Light: Halt
Yellow Light: Walk
Green Light: Trot

For more experienced riders, Green Light can mean canter, but you will need a larger space for that type of game.

As the instructor, you play ‘traffic light’ and tell your riders what to do. The first to cross the finished line wins.

Purpose: This game teaches riders control over their horses. When you say “Red Light,” the riders must immediately put on the breaks. However, they cannot pull on their horse’s mouths or be cruel about it, which teaches them how to ask correctly.


RIDE-A-BUCK

This is one of my favorites because it is always hilarious to watch. Although it can be done in the saddle, I prefer to have this class bareback, as it is easier that way.

All of the riders start with two dollar bills (or two scraps of paper if you’re afraid of losing money). They put the bills (or paper) under their knees and against the horse, and all of the riders start out at a trot or canter (depending on their ability). The last rider with a dollar bill wins the game.