AMA: How Do I Keep My Horse From Getting Bored With Arena Work?
I have a spooky young horse who is happiest and most confident working in an arena. He does not like to hack out. But I’m afraid he will become bored doing the same routines in the arena most days of the week. How can I keep boredom at bay in our flatwork rides?
“I’m so happy that you are considering your horse’s feelings about the kind of work that you do! Many horses eventually get bored of arena work, especially if they feel like they are going around in circles for no reason.
I like to use working equitation obstacles to help my horses see the reason behind their work. Some working equitation obstacles, like slaloms and barrels, give the horse a reason for having a correct bend. Playing with a garrocha (an 8- to 14-foot-long pole traditionally used for managing cattle in Europe) helps build your horse’s confidence, trust in you, and partnership. Obstacles that require a horse to feel confident while standing still as his rider performs another task are great for developing square halts, immobility and security in his rider. Gate obstacle, reverse gate, rein back straight and “L” obstacles, and side pass pole configurations develop rideability and heighten proprioception.
Please make sure that you have your prerequisites and proper foundation for each type of obstacle before attempting to perform the obstacle as it appears in competition. Breaking down each skill into small chunks before putting it together, will ensure you have success with the obstacle, plus enhance your horse’s training.
You can make safe schooling obstacles with items you find around the barn already. Cones, muck tubs, standards, and ground poles can get you most of the way there. You might make a fun trip to the dollar store for some extras. Looking for a garrocha? Try out a telescoping painting pole or closet rod!
Working equitation obstacles will keep your horse interested in his work, give him a purpose, and develop confidence. It develops skills that are essential for every discipline. You might even find that your horse takes some of his newly increased confidence out of the arena and enjoy hacking out a bit more!”
Ali Kermeen grew up riding at a top eventing barn in the East Bay of San Francisco, California. As a junior rider she developed a love for enjoying horses in all disciplines, including dressage, eventing, hunter/jumper, gymkhana, western, and trail riding. She has carried this love of different disciplines into her professional life, with the basis of all her training being dressage principles integrated with Tom Dorrance-style horsemanship. Ali is a Certified Horsemen’s Association (CHA) Master Instructor in both English and Western, a United States Eventing Association (USEA) Certified Level 1 Instructor, a Cowboy Dressage Level 2 Recommended Clinician, a United States Dressage Federation (USDF) “L” judge program graduate with distinction, a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist, and has been coach of Santa Clara University’s dressage team since its inception in 2013. When Ali saw a video on the internet of a rider competing in a working equitation speed round, she noted characteristics of the sport that mirrored those in all the various disciplines she pursued. It was as if she had been training for it her whole life without even knowing it. Since then, Ali has become a hub of working equitation activity in her area, offering lessons and clinics, and competing successfully at Intermediate B (level 5) in USAWE (United States of America Working Equitation) rated competitions. She also is a USAWE committee volunteer.
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