THIN

KING

OUTSID

E THE

BOX Presented by Heather Nesse

Registered Level Path Instructor

Instructor & Volunteer Training Specialist

Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Redmond, WA

How to

Get

Cre

ativ

e with

Are

na Act

iviti

es

INSPIRATIONAL RESOURCES

The Internet :

Riding Patterns & Obstacle Course Ideas:

Reining Patterns- http://aqha.com/Journal/Resources/Exhibitors/Patterns.aspx

Trail class courses- http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/trailpatterns.htm

Dressage Tests-http://www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/index.asp?TypePass=Tests

THE INTERNET, CONT.

Therapeutic Riding Blog: http://www.lessonsintr.com/

Searching for Game Ideas: http://gameideasforkids.com/

classroom_games.htm http://www.creativekidsathome.com/games/ Pinterest.com

THINGS TO THINK ABOUTSAFETY!! Are horses ok with it? Is your arena set up safe for horses, riders, and

volunteers? Are there any tiny pieces that can be swallowed? Nothing sharp, nothing protruding from the arena that

could catch a horse/rider.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT CONT.

RIDERS Can they do the

activity? Is it age appropriate? How do they learn?

Visual, Verbal, Kinesthetic

Will they need help from a sidewalker?

Do they throw things? Are objects too big or

too small to hold?

VOLUNTEERS Can they do it? Have you explained

it so they understand?

Will your volunteer have to leave your rider?

Is the set up easy for leaders to follow?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT CONT.

Progression & Challenge

Does the activity allow for steps of progression? Time: how long will it take with 1,2,3,4,5 riders? Can you alter the activity to increase the challenge if

your riders get it in less time than you anticipated?

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT CONT.

WEATHER Rain Wind Dust/Dirt Indoor vs.

Outdoor arenas

DURABILITY Tearing Mouths Drool Rain Mud Horse/Human

feet

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT CONT.

FLOW Does the arena set

up allow for a nice flow that won’t create traffic jams?

Keeps riders moving for the most part?

Can it be reversed when you change direction?

ARENA ACTIVITIES Schoolers, Hippotherapy

sessions Volunteer Work

Groups

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE“Playing Pretend”

Zoo Keeper, Mail Man, Dr.’s Office, Trail Blazers, Circus, Fishing

Every Day Games:Twister, Bowling, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Jousting,

Red Rover, Connect the Dots

Sharing Ideas

MINE FIELD

BOWLING

THEMED LESSONSHoliday Lessons: Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring/Easter,

Thanksgiving, Winter/Christmas

Theme Weeks: Jungle Safari, Cowboy/Cowgirl, Birthday, Silly Hat,

Superhero, Carnival, Horse Show, Pizza Party, Pirates,

Un-mounted Lessons: Scavenger Hunt, Horse Parts, Horse Moods, Horse

Health, Parts of the Bridle, Parts of the Saddle,

ST. PADDY’S DAY

IN CONCLUSION Inspiration can come from:

Using the internetPersonal experienceThemed lessons Sharing ideas

Things to Think About! SAFETY!!!!, riders, volunteers, time, progression/challenges,

weather, inside/outside, durability, flow, and arena activities

Questions?

Heather@littlebit.org