365 Days in Horse Country – Arena Etiquette
If you take group lessons or ride in an arena, you need
to be aware of arena etiquette. You and
your horse are sharing space with others, so courtesy is essential.
Here are some basic rules of arena etiquette.
- If you need to mount or dismount your horse
in the arena, go to the centre to do it.
Stay off the rail.
- When passing a horse that is going in the
opposite direction you are riding, pass left shoulder to left shoulder. This means you will either stay close to the
rail so the rider going the opposite way can pass you on your left, or you will
stay closre to the middle of the arena. (If you are going clockwise, you will
be on the inside of the arena. If you
are riding counter-clockwise, you will be on the rail.)
- If you see a rider lose control of a horse or
fall off a horse, stop your mount immediately.
If the other horse starts panicking and running around the arena, get
off for your own safety since this behaviour can be contagious among horses.
- Always close the arena gate behind you when you enter or exit an arena.
Michael