Riding instructors are constantly trying to find new, innovative means of teaching children to ride and become comfortable on horseback. The key is really combining useful exercises that teach balance and position with fun to keep kids interested.

Here are a few oldies but goodies:

1. Around the world - you probably remember doing this one as a child. Around the world consists of having the rider drop their stirrups, keep their balance and complete a 360 degree turn in the saddle. In other words, the child will begin sitting normally in the saddle. Then, they drop their stirrups and maneuver themselves 90 degrees to the right. At this point, they are facing the inside with both legs on the right side of the horse. To complete this exercise, the rider continues to sit facing backwards, to the left and then back to the front. This exercise can be done at the halt and at the walk but should always be done on the longe line or with someone else holding the horse.

2. Touching the ears and the tail - again, this exercise is focusing mainly on balance and building the rider’s confidence in the saddle. The child simply reaches forward to touch their horse’s ears and then leans back to touch the top of their mount’s tail. Again, this is an exercise that must be done while someone else has control of the reins, but this can be done at any gait if on the longe.

3. Airplane - there are many different variations of airplane type exercises. Basically, the rider must maintain correct body position while keeping their arms straight out to the side. You may then modify to holding the arms over the head, behind the back, etc. The focus of this exercise is balance. The airplane can be made more challenging by performing it at the walk, trot and canter. For an added challenge, the rider may be asked to maintain their position in transitions. This exercise is also good for teaching riders to ask for transitions and control their mount without the aid of reins focusing on the leg and seat aids. All forms of the airplane exercise should always be performed while longing.

There are countless exercises that riding instructors employ to teach children in ways that are effective and fun. These three examples are tried and true, but you must always teach with safety in mind.

Dana Wallert is the owner of an online virtual assistance company. She has many years experience in sales and marketing, as well as office management. Find more about virtual assistance at DW Office Solutions - Virtual Assistant Services Dana has also ridden horses her entire life. She currently provides several barns with virtual assistance services. She also runs a new horse information website called Horse Topics offering information on all aspects of horsecare, riding, etc.

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