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  Discussion on Bored in the arena in winter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2001 - 1:35 pm:

Hi everyone.
So, its winter here in Chicago. My horse is partly shaved and has no shoes, so trail really isn't an option. I only have one jumping lesson a week and the rest of the time I am on my own. I am tired of drilling in the arena. Has anyone got any suggestions for what one can do for fun in the ring?? Also, the ring is usually full of other people too, some of whom are jumping. So, any suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks, Liz

Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2001 - 11:01 am:

Hi, I get bored in the arena as well, although, here in Arizona, it's perfect weather for trail rides. I was thinking about getting some friends together to do some arena games. You might want to see if anyone else is bored with their lessons and want to take a break to "play". If there is a barrel with an open top around, use it to do some flag races, or you might try an egg race to see who can hold an egg on a spoon without DrOpping it. It might be fun and the horses might enjoy the change as well.

I've also just got the 101 Arena Exercises by Cherry Hill. It's more fun to do the exercises as a group to see who can get their horse to do the manuever correctly. It's a bit of friendly competition. It's important to have an impartial judge on the ground to settle any friendly disputes.

Have fun!

Posted on Thursday, Jan 25, 2001 - 12:10 pm:

Besides Tammy's great ideas, also you might work out ideas with others that are riding, such as laying out logs, or poles that you can work on things like sidepassing your horse, backing through... You can set up some pretty great obsticle courses, even things like using your jumps to hang up plastic to walk horses under. You might even have everyone join in a 'follow the leader game'. If you talk to others I bet you can get some pretty great ideas. Horses get bored just like we do, so spice up their life a bit, mean while they are staying fit, and using their minds and strengthening muscles in new and different ways.

I am at a barn where their are 'cow' horses, and race horses, so I'm am usually on my own, riding by myself. I have a TB that I am retraining. I would love to have a few people to 'play' with in the arena!

Hope you have a great winter!
Melissa

Posted on Monday, Feb 12, 2001 - 4:26 pm:

There's a book out called Games on Horseback by Betty Bennett-Talbot and Steve Bennett that has 53 different activities/games in it ranging from simple stuff for beginners to relatively advanced. The games are broken down into 10 categories: basic group, elimination, basic races, relay races, timed, jumping, roping, distance, polo, and mounted drills. Then there are 2-8 activities under each heading. It has some really cute ideas in it.

Good luck!
Nancy
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