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
Tagged with Trail class …
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 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