Riding in the Open, Why You Should Teach it

Taking horseback riders out of the arena and into the open makes room for a multitude of benefits for horse and rider. And in truth, riding in the open is one of the most important steps in rider education.

Riding in the Open Builds Confidence & Rider Independence
Riding outside the controlled environment of the arena exposes students to a wider variety of stimuli. This helps them become more confident as they handle changes in terrain, navigate obstacles, and deal with unpredictable environments.

It is one of the steps toward cutting the umbilical cord that keeps students attached so helplessly to instructors.

Or to the arena.

Story: I was excited to take a teen-aged student to a beautiful cross country course with sandy footing and lots of pine trees. I hadn’t worked with her long, but she was mounted on one of my horses that I knew would jump whatever we asked.  

We began to warm up. I was looking forward to giving her some freedom and a small feeling of what it would be like to ride a cross-country course alone. I told her to take a few minutes and walk and trot around several jumps and trees, and enjoy being in the open.

She started with about a twenty meter circle near where I stood. I urged her to leave, even to ride off between two jumps and return, but she didn’t. She could not break away from prescribed patterns and the connection to authority and perceived safety, even to go 50 feet away on her own.

Needless to say, that changed the focus of our excursion that day.

This is a sad situation for students who are not taught to think for themselves and are arena or instructor dependent. I urge you to get your students of any age out of the arena periodically, even if you have to walk next to them.

Improves Balance and Coordination
Nothing improves the balance and coordination of an advanced beginner or intermediate rider more than getting off the predictable flat surface and trotting through a field.

Have students switch from full seat to half seat, go through small ditches, and up and down hills if you have them. You can make an entire lesson based on how to ride hills correctly.
The changes in terrain and position help develop balance and body control.

Encourages Mental Flexibility
I love to develop riders who can think situations through. My goal is to develop their independence and give them the foundation to ride on their own. Riding in the open gives riders opportunities to be mentally flexible and make decisions independently. I’m an advocate of critical thinking and learning to problem solve.

Because there is so much stimuli in the open and a rider must know where she is, what she might run into, which direction she is going, riders become more spatially aware. Rather than follow a wall around an arena, or make transitions and changes of direction at markers, riding in the open breaks up tedious repetition.

Builds Horse and Rider Trust
Navigating new environments strengthens the bond between horse and rider. Trust is built when the rider remains calm and confident, and the horse learns to rely on the rider for direction and safety. While horse and rider trust develops, riders also develop trust in themselves and their own ability.

Enhances Relaxation and Enjoyment
Riding in the open can be a refreshing break from the structured nature of arena work. The freedom of outdoor riding helps riders relax and enjoy the natural beauty around them, reducing pressure and stress. Riding in the open can invigorate riders with fresh air, exercise, and natural beauty.

Breaks Monotony
Most horses love riding in the open. Arena work can become dull and repetitive for lesson horses. Outdoor riding introduces variety into training routines, too, preventing boredom and keeping horse mentally and physically engaged.

But Beware

Often the horse who is a bit lazy in the indoor or very calm in his lessons will show you another side to its personality in the open, because wide open spaces, new sites, and freedom are stimulating.

Story: When I was in school many years ago, my mount for the day was a lazy chestnut mare named Carnaby Street. I was more accustomed to riding forward horses, and I had difficulty getting Carnaby in front of my leg. I probably nagged her a bit too much.  

The owner of the school, an avid fox hunter, periodically took students on what he laughingly called a “jolly”. This was a raucous ride, with him in the lead across all sorts of terrain.

Carnaby showed me her true personality and how bored she’d been in the school a few minutes into the ride when she bolted forward bucking. We ended up racing past the owner before I got her under control. Can I say I was not expecting that one bit?

I learned a wise instructor will ride their horses out themselves before putting unsuspecting students on them. A quiet school horse coming to life in the open could frighten a first-time-in-the-open rider.

Autumn is a Great time to Ride in the Open
Cooler weather, leaves changing colors, make a great backdrop for riding out. I love to take riders on a pretend fox hunt this time of year. You could make it a special barn activity and include apple cider when you finish and have cared for the horses. When my daughters were children, this was a favorite activity on Thanksgiving day.

Riding in the open is fun and for students who don't have a horse of their own or ones who are bound to the arena it can be liberating, and a lesson that creates a good memory. It's important to the development of a total horse person, and in my opinion, one of the most important steps in rider education.

When do you take your students riding in the open?

Thank you for reading The Riding Instructor.

Barbara Ellin Fox

TheRidingInstructor.net