PATH Intl. standards state there needs to be no unnecessary equipment in the arena when you are teaching. Instructors also tend to have students working on different skills in back to back lessons, with little time to switch the arena set up in between. Arranging the arena during the lesson is not really an option because you … Continue reading
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Gymkhana Lesson 2: Pole Bending, Washington Poles, Butterfly Poles
This lesson teaches several Gymkhana pole bending patterns. Arena Setup: 3 vertical poles down both quarterlines cones across one end of the arena to designate the start/finish line Lesson Plan Mount Tack Check Warm Up – Basic Pole Bending (See picture 1 below), weave the poles down and back. Do 1x. Gymkhana Review – while students are … Continue reading
Gymkhana Lesson 1: Single Barrel, Turn N Burn, Birangle
This is the introductory Gymkhana lesson plan I used starting with the simplest pattern, the Single Barrel, to teach about Gymkhana and how to turn around a barrel. Arena Setup: cones across one end of the arena to designate the start/finish line two barrels, one on each quarter line, on the other end cones around … Continue reading
Gymkhana Games and Patterns
(image) Gymkhana offers many great patterns and events to incorporate into your TR lessons! Gymkhana Information What is Gymkhana? Gymkhana is an equestrian event in which riders are timed individually racing through a pattern (such as weaving poles), or compete in games on horseback (such as the egg and spoon race). Riders are given penalties … Continue reading
“Outdoor Trail” Lesson Plan 2 & The Branch
Another example of an “Outdoor Trail” lesson plan, with a fun “branch”. Preparation Desensitize the horses to walking over a bridge over a blue tarp (“water”). Desensitize the horses to walking under a thin pole (“branch”) – it touching all parts of their body, sliding down their neck, bumping their rear, falling on the ground, … 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 Lesson Plan 2 & The Gate
Example lesson plan for a trail class. Arena Setup: 2 cones 4 poles for fan walkover a gate 4 poles for box Lesson Plan Mount Tack Check Warm Up – 2 tight circles each direction (to prepare for the gate), 2 point 2 walls (prepares for 2 point over poles) Tack Check Explain Pattern – … Continue reading
Trail Lesson Plan 1
Example lesson plan for a trail class. Arena Setup: 2 cones 4 poles for walkover 1 bridge 2 poles parallel 4 poles in L Lesson Plan Mount Tack Check Warm Up – circle each obstacle so horse can see it, talk about introducing horses to new objects, explain Show Trail Classes and what judges look … 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