These creative exercises for children and horses are designed not only to give kids a good time, but also to improve the ways in which they communicate with horses. Believe it or not, children often learn more when engaged in fun activities rather than when they hear a lecture.
Some of these play-day horse games for kids can be conducted at schooling shows and other informal events, while others are better for riding lessons or family time with horses. Either way, they each require unique abilities and skills that will challenge children to communicate more effectively and will also provide considerable satisfaction upon completion.
Mother May I?
Most kids have, at one time or another, played "Mother May I?" at school or other functions, but without horses. On horseback, this game is a controlled play-day activity that encourages children to think about how their horses move and what gaits are most appropriate in certain situations.
"Mother May I?" is played with a group of riders standing in a row at one end of the arena, facing an instructor or leader at the opposite end. Each in turn, the players request permission to move forward on their horses at different gaits, ranging from walk to canter by asking "Mother May I…"
This fun play-day horse game can take many forms, and instructors can allow whatever gaits they feel their students are capable of performing. For example, a group of baby beginner riders might only be able to walk and trot, while more advanced riders could request permission to canter.
Simon Says
Another fun play-day horse game for kids is "Simon Says", which is also performed without horses on a regular basis. In this exercise, an instructor or leader plays "Simon", and directs the game for everyone else.
This is one of the best creative exercises for children who are learning parts of the horse, parts of the tack and other horsemanship facts. Simon can tell them to touch their horses' manes, tails, hips, shoulders, barrels, polls and more – unless, of course, the order is given without the requisite "Simon Says To" precursor.
Red Light, Green Light
When playing any play-day horse games for kids, it is important to maintain control. Red Light, Green Light can easily get out of control if instructors and trainers are not paying attention because it encourages children to go fast.
In this game, players line up at one end of the arena with their leader at the other end. When the leader says "Green Light," players start forward on their horses; when the leader says "Red Light," players must stop.
As with all creative exercises for children and horses, instructors must set rules. For example, it might be best to limit forward movement to walking and trotting. This way, kids aren't racing pell-mell down the arena with no thought to safety.
Egg in Spoon
Instructors and parents who want to teach their kids better balance and control on horseback can use the Egg in Spoon race. This game is played at the walk and trot. Each rider holds the reins in one hand and a spoon (with an egg cradled in the end) in the other.
When the leader says "Go," riders start forward with their eggs. When an egg drops to the ground, the rider is out and must stop his or her horse; the first rider to reach the finish line with his or her egg intact is the winner.
Ride-a-Buck
Believe it or not, this fun play-day horse game does not involve bucking at all. Instead, it is played bareback with dollar bills (hence the "buck"). Each rider starts out at the trot or canter with a dollar bill lodged between each of his knees and the horse's sides.
The last rider with both of his or her dollar bills in place is the winner. Of course, this can lead to loss of revenue, so play money can be used in place of actual currency. This game teaches riders awareness of their bodies on horseback.
There are many different fun play-day horse games for kids, and each is a great way to break the mold of normal riding. Just remember that safety should be the priority when conducting these creative exercises, so instructors and parents should watch children and their horses carefully during play.
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