Traffic Lights.

                                                          

I came across this idea in an old RDA magazine and thought it might be useful to share here.

Its called Traffic lights.

The benefits are as follows:-

Practice stopping and starting on command.
Changing the rein.
Improved balance of the rider on the turn.
Increased attention of riders and helpers.




The game.

Have the riders on a 20m circle in the middle of the school, with the leaders on the outside.
The Instructor calls out at random red, green or amber. (If signing amber is orange).
When the rider hears red ,they halt.
When the rider hears green they walk on.
When the rider hears amber they walk round the leader who marks time, until they have changed the rein. Once the rider has the pony facing the other way the leader then changes to the outside and the game continues.


It can be adapted for what standard of riders you are teaching.
The ride can go around the arena rather than working on a circle and then chose where and how they change the rein when amber is called.