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Riding In a Crowd
We're really lucky in this part of the country in that many of us have our own arenas to ride in. But solitary riding is just that, solitary, and it's fun to ride with friends! If you ride regularly, then sooner or later you'll find yourself riding in arena traffic, either at the local boarding stable or in the warm up arena at a horse show. Here's some rules that will make that experience less stressful:
Left Shoulder to Left Shoulder - This is the traffic rule that most riders know about. When passing a horse and rider that is going the opposite direction, both riders should pass with their left shoulders towards each other. In other words, stay to the right of the approaching horse. This makes sense and is easy to remember because it is the same as driving; we stay on the right side of the road. In horseman's terms: if you are on the left rein, you will stay on the rail. If you are on the right rein you will pass on an inside track giving the other person the rail.
Passing a horse going the same direction - The general rule here is that you pass with plenty of room between you and the other horse. Waiting until you are right on top of the other horse is inviting that horse to kick your horse! So keep your head up and pay attention! Take an inside track well before passing, or circle to some other less populated side of the arena.
Your whip - If you are riding with a long dressage style whip, remember that you are wider than you think you are. The other horses (and riders!) won't appreciate the end of your whip brushing them as you go by. And have some consideration about using your whip when near another horse. Your horse might be okay with a loud whack but other horses may react to the noise as if THEY were being beaten.
When to take an inside track - Most people can figure out how to pass each other without a collision but many riders haven't a clue when it comes to making circles in traffic. If you need to school on a circle, make one that doesn't reach the rail, allowing those who are riding on the rail enough room to ride by your circle on the outside. They have the right of way on the rail and your circle should be on an inside track. If you are taking a walk break while others are trotting and cantering, then move your horse to the inside track, regardless of the direction you are traveling, giving the others use of the rail. If you and your friend are walking and chatting, do it on an extreme inside track, not on the rail.
The clumping effect - Pay attention to what other riders are doing. Horses and riders are part of this universe, subject to the laws of attraction; if you drive a car, you know that people and things tend to clump together in groups. If you find yourself at one end of the arena with most of the other riders, look around for the area that is empty and go there. If you are at odds with a particular horse and rider, try positioning yourself behind them, consistently maintaining a distance.
Entering and exiting the ring - Here's something most people don't think of. When entering a crowded arena you will, of course, look for a break in the traffic before coming through the gate. Don't stop to mount up right inside the gate! Instead go to the middle of the arena, away from the outside track, the inside track and anyone working on a circle. Once you are in the middle away from traffic, you can take your time adjusting tack and mounting up. You will exit the arena the same way, by going into the middle to dismount and looking at the traffic patterns before walking through the gate. If there is a riding lesson going on in your arena, it is polite to ask permission of the instructor before entering the arena.
When others are having difficulty - Things don't always go smoothly and sometimes a ride turns into a disaster. The number one safety rule for this situation is to stop what you are doing and halt. If one of the other horses is exhibiting dangerous behavior like bucking or bolting, halt your horse and stay immobile until the hubbub dies down and everyone is safe again. If one of the other riders is demonstrating disruptive behavior (yelling, swearing, jerking or whipping the horse) go to the other end of the arena, away from this display, or in an extreme case, leave the arena.
Pay Attention - As with most things in life, whether you have a fun time riding is a matter of your attitude. You might feel that today's ride is really important and wish that you didn't have to contend with the others in the arena. Have some perspective about this situation and save the serious work for a time when you do have a free arena. Instead, keep your head up, pay attention to the flow of traffic and plan your work session to give your horse as relaxing a time as possible. Remember, not everyone gets to ride horses and any day you get to ride a horse is a good day!
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