Horse Games for Children

Do you remember when you would head home from the stables with straw in your hair, sand in your underwear from falling off and dirt all over your face? Ok, so some of us still do that now, but think back to when you actually used to be happy about it, proud to show off your latest bru fashion jackets ise to any person who would listen. These days, health and safety objectives make it difficult for children to have quite as much fun as we used to, but there are still a number of horse games that children can participate in without getting into too much trouble! (At least no more than muddy horse riding clothing!)

Fun horse games to incorporate into hacks include treasure hunts. Particularly effective with a group of children, you can stop somewhere, and providing you have reliable ponies, ask the children to get off and give them five items to find. This can be ideal for Pony Club badges training, as you can ask for things such as different varieties of wildflower or leaves from a certain tree. Alternatively, if you were feeling in the enthusiastic frame of mind for horse games, you could always go and lay "treasures" yourself in the form of sweets, or small items of horse riding clothing, such as pairs of gloves or horse themed socks!

Organising a gymkhana can be great fun for children, if you don't mind washing all the horse riding clothing that ends up in the mud! You need to be aware of the safety aspects of doing this, so unless you are experienced it's best to leave it up to someone else. There's no reason why you couldn't suggest it to your child's local yard, however, and that way you would have access to all the facilities and more children would get involved. Best horse games for gymkhana include races: Sack race, ride and lead, egg and spoon, are old-time favourites. A more original idea might be a race where you have to put on layers of horse riding clothing which are at opposite ends of the racetrack, for example, a roomy t shirt, then overtrousers, coat etc, you can be as inventive as you like! A variation of this exists as a party game, so you could incorporate horse riding clothing into that too, to give a party a horse theme.

Other horse games which could be incorporated into a gymkhana or fun day include musical poles, where the children have to find a pole for the horse to stand over when the music stops. Make the children aware of safety precautions to avoid ponies kicking each other, and everything ending in tears. Possibly threaten with elimination if the ponies' safety is not taken into consideration, as children tend not to perceive risk. A chase-me Charlie competition can be good fun and a challenge for competitive children, with ponies working individually and therefore potentially safer. This is where all competitors jump a fence which increases in height. When it is knocked down, that competitor is out. Of course, if you have mini "wannabe" showjumpers involved, you may like to set a height limit in order to prevent a scenario whereby parents are scared witless watching their children attempt to tackle 6 foot fences!

Ultimately with horse games, your only limit is your imagination. However it is essential to consider health and safety regulations at all times, as it is so much more common now to be accused of neglect. Ensure you provide a duty of care to all children taking part, starting with horse riding clothing. A current standard riding hat and gloves should be minimal protection at all times, and you may like to introduce other rules regarding horse riding clothing and conduct. Having taken these into consideration, you are left free to enjoy watching your children have fun, reminiscing about days gone by, when you had the guts to join in mad horse games too!