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Working Equitation Fun in Riding Lessons for Children

#Throwback# Who doesn't know them from their childhood - the 'good', old hours of children's riding lessons: riding instructor in the middle, section around the outside and then the shouted instructions 'heels down, back straight, hands upright, chin up'...

#Throwback# Who doesn't know them from their childhood - the 'good', old hours of children's riding lessons: riding instructor in the middle, section around the outside and then the shouted instructions 'heels down, back straight, hands upright, chin up'...

Of course, we learned the basics and had fun riding – we had fun with the horses, we were in the stables with our friends and had a good time. But couldn't we have done more?

Thank God, shouting riding instructors are a thing of the past, the lessons are really good (in most riding schools) and the kids are enthusiastic about it. And yet I still have the same thought - there has to be more fun and variety for children and horses!

Sabine's daughter Lianne with her Shetland pony Jimmy in the side pass

My two daughters (13 and 10) are enthusiastic riders. Depending on their age, we have always been lucky enough to go to great riding schools - initially playful with lots of movement and fun on the pony, then paying more and more attention to seat, posture and tasks, in between various badges, jumping courses, riding holidays - they can try everything and always have a lot of fun.

I have been an absolute working equitation enthusiast for several years now and was very lucky to meet one of the best working equitation trainers, who has since become a friend of the whole family - Nuno Avelar.

During our training sessions and conversations, Nuno kept reminding me that children should only have one thing when riding: fun! The older they get, the more you can encourage and challenge them, but in the beginning, the only thing that counts is fun - also and especially in riding lessons for children!

I would like to share my experiences and tips with you in this article – you will learn the following:


Working Equitation – what is it anyway?

Working equitation comes from the old European working riding styles and has its origins in the herding and driving of cattle in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. With increasing modernization, the working riding style was increasingly forgotten, but was still cultivated by enthusiasts and then brought together in an international association. Comparative competitions take place under this association - the horse-rider teams compete at working tournaments in the four disciplines of dressage, style trail with 10 to 15 obstacles, speed trail (trail against the clock at a breathtaking pace) and cattle work (driving a cow from the group against the clock). Depending on the level of the pairs, they compete against each other in different classes - from beginners to advanced professionals who complete all tests single-handed. In all classes, the most important thing is the horse's rideability, obedience and trust in the rider - simply a great sport that is open to riders from all disciplines and every horse breed.


Working Equitation – fun for children and horses!

My daughters have already watched many working tournaments with me and were quickly gripped by the fever that this discipline brings with it. They watched in amazement as incredible human-horse teams completed the dressage trail in absolute harmony, cheered them loudly during the speed trail and held their breath during the exciting cattle test. Very quickly came the enthusiastic exclamation - we want to try that too!

But how do you start Working Equitation in riding lessons for children in a normal dressage stable and, as in our example, with shared riding horses?

Very simple: as simple as possible! You don't need a lot of equipment, you don't have to spend a lot of money - in most stables you can find poles, pylons, a jumping stand, maybe a tarpaulin and buckets. With these you can build a lot that comes close to a simple trail course.


The first obstacles and how to build them

I started “small” with my daughters, that is, a slalom with cones in step, a lane on the long board with a pole, 2 buckets that are circled in even voltes.

My tips for getting started:  

  • Start small and simple and don't set up a huge course right away - this will quickly overwhelm the little riders and the horse if it has never seen a trail course before!
  • Let the children first ride around the 2 or 3 obstacles at a walking pace so that the horses can slowly get used to the new surroundings and can also calmly look at the obstacles from all sides.
  • Stay with the horse and help it by hand if it doesn't want to approach the obstacle because it's afraid. 

Above all, give lots of praise! For many horses, it is not natural to walk over a 'tarpaulin bridge', back out of a lane or stand still at a jumping post. And of course, give the kids lots of praise too - mistakes will happen at the beginning, the horses may need a little more help and the kids should definitely not get frustrated! Didn't it work the first or second time? Hey - let's try again!

Start each obstacle at a walk! Let the kids approach the obstacles from different sides. If it works well from the left, you have to start again from the right. If you can do the obstacles at a walk, you can increase the level! Does the slalom work smoothly at a trot and with fine aids? Then try riding the slalom completely backwards!

Of course, the kids won't be riding the obstacles according to strict tournament rules! That's not what it's about - it's about fun and variety in training. And what I can definitely promise you: your children and the horses will have a lot of fun, will grow together as a team, and will gain self-confidence and courage.

And you will quickly notice for yourself how great it is to complete an obstacle more and more perfectly, to be able to give the horse ever more subtle aids and to raise the level.

Below I will introduce you to some obstacles that you can easily recreate in your stable and that the kids can ride pretty quickly - there are of course more obstacles, I have only selected those that are easy to manage and do not require much effort:


1. Simple Slalom

What you need: Pylons, cones, and in a pinch, buckets.

  • Set up 5 or 6 cones in a straight line at regular intervals.   
  • The children should ride straight towards it and do a regular slalom around the cones.  
  • Experiment a bit with the children – how does it work when the cones are 8 m apart? What about when they are 5 m apart?

At the beginning, a large distance between the cones is of course easier to ride! Always make it as easy as possible for the children at the beginning and then increase the level of difficulty over time. Does it work better if I ride close to the cones? Is it more difficult on the left or right hand? It is important that the children themselves notice where there are problems, when it becomes smooth and increasingly *precise*. Does it work well at the walk from both sides? Try it at the trot!


It doesn’t always have to be cones for a slalom
(Photo: Daniela Rath Classical Riding Training)

2. The cup

What you need: 2 jumping stands or 2 pylons with poles (or broomsticks) in the middle, a plastic cup.

  • Set up two jumping stands next to each other so that exactly one horse fits between them with some space on the right and left.
  • A plastic cup is placed upside down on a stand. The task is to approach the obstacle straight and in the middle at a walk, stop in between and move the cup from one stand to the other. Then ride out straight and in the middle.

That sounds pretty simple at first. But it isn't - for many horses, it is difficult at first to stand between the two posts and then to tolerate the rider doing something up there, i.e. moving the cup. If the horse reacts nervously, just stand between the posts for a short time without moving the cup, praise the horse and ride out. And remember here too: always approach from the other side too. If that works well, stand for longer and add the cup. 

Very important: Do everything calmly and carefully! Take your time to hold the reins in one hand and then, after the cup, calmly sort and pick them up again with both hands. The calmer you do this, the faster your horse will get used to it.

You can increase the level by having the rider start at a trot, halting to a walk about 3 m before the obstacle, completing the obstacle and then trotting again. The same can be done at a canter for advanced riders.


A lane of cones can provide additional guidance
and make it easier to ride the cup

3. The table

What you need: A table or an inverted barrel and a plastic container.

  • Set up a table or an inverted barrel and place a plastic container/jug on it.
  • The task is to ride up to the obstacle, stop just next to it, pick up the jug, lift it over your head and put it down again.

The same applies here as with the 'cup' - the horse must remain calm and patiently standing next to the table and tolerate the child bending down, then raising the arm with the cup and putting it back down. This is not so easy with restless horses that have never done this before. Then start again with the exercise of just standing next to the table and praising the horse. Try it on both sides and then increase the difficulty by adding the cup. Be careful when bending down and raising the arm - slowly and calmly, never hectically. Then the horse will quickly get used to everything new that is happening.

You can also increase the level here by starting at a trot or canter, stopping at a walk about 3 m before it, overcoming the obstacle and then trotting or cantering again. Also fun in summer: fill the jug with water and be careful not to spill anything (please be careful here too: your horse could get water on it and get scared).


For the object that needs to be lifted from the table,
there are no limits to creativity
(Photo: Daniela Rath Classical Riding Training)

4. The Glockengasse

What you need: One or two poles or several pylons/cones, possibly a small bell.

We have many options here, but we'll start as simply as possible.

  • Put a pole (or a few cones) on the fence of one short side so that a 'dead end' is created that you can easily ride into. If you have one, put a small bell on the fence at the end; at the beginning it is enough if you raise your arm and 'ring' it with your voice.
  • The task is to ride smoothly into the lane at a walk, stop at the closed end, ring the bell with one hand and then ride backwards out of the lane smoothly, straight and as centrally as possible.

We start this with a fence, as it is easier with a barrier on one side and at the front of the horse's head. Try it without the bell to begin with, just stand still for a moment and then back your horse up. Depending on whether you have already practiced this over a short distance, sometimes it may not work so well and your horse may break out towards the open side. Not a problem! Then restrict the horse with your reins and your leg and try a little more each time. Don't forget to praise when it works well! Then you can use the bell. Be careful, though, so that your horse is not frightened by the unfamiliar noise.

Another tip: Only look at one side of the pole the whole time! If you keep looking left and right when riding backwards, it will quickly become hectic and uneven. If you can see one side, you can concentrate better and react if you are too close or too far away from one side. Divide the obstacle into small parts and take breaks in between: ride in, stand - pause - ring the bell - pause - back up - stand - pause - etc. Only then can you practice riding the obstacle more and more smoothly.

My children really like the Glockengasse because it is very versatile and you can easily increase the level of difficulty:

  • Increase the backward distance by extending the poles or cones.
  • Create a lane with two poles in the middle of the riding arena, without any barriers. Put up a post at the end to which you attach the bell.
  • Form an L-lane out of several poles, which means you have to ride a curve while backing up. This is for the more advanced riders among you.
  • Ride the alley at a trot or canter.

The Glockengasse in the advanced variant as L

5. The Bridge

What you need: A strong tarpaulin and two poles.

Very few people will have a real wooden bridge in their stable, so a replica will do.

  • Place a tarp on the long side of the barrier and attach it to the open side with the poles.
  • The task is to ride straight, centered and fluidly at a walk.

Alternative for a bridge on the Working Equitation Trail
For experienced users: the tarpaulin is additionally filled with empty plastic bottles
(Photo: Daniela Rath Classical Riding Training)

The bridge represents a great challenge for many horses. We all know that most horses have difficulty walking over a different colored and rustling surface.

Very important: If you notice that the horse is getting nervous, give it security from the ground by holding a person by the hand! This will prevent it from jumping around or even shying. The child encourages from above and drives evenly, while the person helping on the ground holds the reins and walks with the horse over the tarpaulin. Here too, the rule is - lots of praise and approaching from both sides.

You can increase the difficulty by building the bridge in the middle of the arena without any barriers (then secure both sides with poles) and riding up at a trot or canter, halting into a walk, riding smoothly over the bridge and then trotting or cantering again.


Border for a bridge as an exercise for the Working Equitation Trail
The narrow section above the bridge can be used for preparation
also simulate with two jumps

6. The 2 tons

What you need: Two feed bins, two pylons or buckets.

  • Place the two barrels or pylons/buckets next to each other at a distance of about 10 m.
  • The task is to ride in the middle and straight between the two barrels at a walk, then do a steady left volte around the left barrel and immediately afterwards a steady and full right volte around the right barrel and ride out the middle and straight between the two barrels.

A really nice exercise for bending and positioning the horse and precise riding - because when entering and exiting the obstacle the horse must be positioned straight and the voltes must be ridden evenly, roundly and, if possible, at the same distance from the barrel.

You can make the exercise more difficult by placing the barrels closer together or riding the obstacle at a trot or even a canter with a simple change. The important thing here is that perfection is the goal.


7. Sidepass over the bar

What you need: One or two sticks.

Admittedly, riding sideways over a pole is for more advanced children. But it is definitely possible if the child and horse are already riding leg-yielding in normal lessons - because that is all we are doing here, just riding over a pole.


bar on the floor as an exercise for the side pass
The view should be in the direction of movement when using the sideways bar
(Photo: Daniela Rath Classical Riding Training)

  • The task is to approach the obstacle at a walk and to ride smoothly sideways over the pole, from the left and right.
  • It is important that the pole is under the rider's seat. This will prevent the horses from stepping on the pole from the front or back. Look to the side in the direction of movement and correct if your horse steps too close to the pole with its front or hind legs.

My tip for starting the exercise: Don't ride the whole pole sideways straight away! Just ride the last third by putting your horse over the pole, stopping and then steering the last third sideways. If this works well and smoothly, you can increase the distance until you really are riding the whole pole sideways - then of course from the left and right.

It is also a great help if you have someone holding your hand, who can hold the reins and perhaps use a whip to assist you in moving sideways.

You can increase the level of difficulty by creating an L with another pole and riding it sideways. As with all exercises, start at a trot or canter and halt shortly beforehand.

Once you see how the pros ride the sidepass one-handed at the canter, you'll understand what the horse's rideability is all about. As the saying goes - practice makes perfect!


8. The Jump

What you need: A cavaletti or a small jump – if you don’t have one, two small bales of straw will do.

Working equitation also involves jumping - a small jump based on work in the field and to test obedience and rideability when riding a gathering obstacle afterwards. The aim is for the horse not to go too fast and to be back with its rider straight after the jump.

Just have fun, ride towards it calmly and in a trot or gallop, and train on both sides.


9. The Gate

What you need: Two jump stands, a rope/lunge.

The gate is one of the more difficult obstacles in Working Equitation. It comes from the fact that the cattle herders drove the herds from one pasture to another and opened and closed the gates of the pastures from horseback.

The gate is a big challenge for both child and horse, but if you like a challenge, this obstacle is a lot of fun.

  • You can recreate a simple gate by placing two jumping posts next to each other so that a horse can fit through the entire length. Fasten one end of the rope firmly to one post and hang the other end loosely with a loop at the top of the other post.  
  • The task is to ride up to the middle of the gate at a walk and navigate the horse through the gate while holding the loose end of the rope with one hand and not letting go the entire time until you close it again.

It is also extremely helpful when going through the gate if someone on the ground can help if the horse and child are not yet sure what to do. Divide the gate into individual steps and take breaks between each step. This will bring calm to the process.

If the horse reacts very nervously to the obstacle, initially just let it stand parallel to the gate, praise the horse and ride away again. Give it the opportunity to learn that nothing will happen. If that works well and without tension, move on.


In the beginning, standing quietly next to
the gate can be a challenge.

  1. Ride toward the gate and bring the horse to a stop sideways at the gate with its head on the loose rope side and on your right side.
  2. Take the reins calmly in your left hand and open the gate with your right hand (do not let go of the rope loop).
  3. Back up a little, then ride forward to the right into the gate and turn the horse to the right so that it is now standing on the other side parallel to the gate, with its hindquarters level with the open side. Now close the gate again with your right hand.

That sounds very simple - but it is really difficult at the beginning! The rider rides one-handed, has to navigate the horse through the gate, be careful not to knock over any posts and should not let go of the rope the whole time. Of course, always let go before you knock everything over if it doesn't work at first! That's why - a helping person has to be there and give instructions and provide security and calm.

Especially with this obstacle, practice makes perfect and once the kids have managed it smoothly and all by themselves, they can't wipe the proud grin off their faces!


My conclusion – what does Working Equitation bring to riding lessons for children and horses?

As you may have noticed while reading, Working Equitation is all about teamwork - horse and child must be able to rely on each other and develop trust in each other. They can only complete the trail course together! What could be better for your riding children than a bond based on trust with a horse with whom you can tackle new tasks and overcome challenges together?

The horses complete a kind of calmness training at the same time - working horses are not easily upset. Above all, you quickly notice how much fun the horses themselves have with the training! Sideways movements, turns, all of this makes sense in the trail and is incorporated in a very varied way.

For the children, the training is one thing above all: fun! Fun with the new challenge, fun with working with their teammate - the horse! Self-confidence develops automatically when the child notices how things are getting better and better, how they can increase the level of difficulty themselves and bravely try out new things.

Once you have seen the smile on a child's face as he has successfully completed an entire trail course with his horse, you know what fun riding means...

And now – let’s get building and trying out your very own individual riding lesson for children!


Here I have put together a selection of suitable products for Working Equitation:

Sabine Pfannebecker
Sabine Pfannebecker

My name is Sabine Pfannebecker, I was born in 1974, I am married and have 2 daughters aged 13 and 10. We girls in the family are absolutely crazy about horses - my husband has to go along with that :-)

I have been riding since I was 10 years old and my passion for the last 4 years has been working equitation. Our family includes three dogs and a cat, two cute Shetlands and, most recently, a Lusitano gelding who is coming from Portugal in the summer and who we are very much looking forward to.

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