Thinking outside the box

1. Thinking outside the box How to Get Creative with Arena Activities • Presented by • Heather Nesse • Registered Level Path Instructor • Instructor & Volunteer Training Specialist • Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Redmond, WA

2. Inspirational Resources • The Internet : • Riding Patterns & Obstacle Course Ideas: • Reining Patterns- http://aqha.com/Journal/Resources/Exhibitors/Patterns.aspx • Trail class courses- http://www.showhorsepromotions.com/trailpatterns.htm • Dressage Tests-http://www.usdf.org/downloads/forms/index.asp?TypePass=Tests

4. The Internet, cont. • Therapeutic Riding Blog: • http://www.lessonsintr.com/ • Searching for Game Ideas: • http://gameideasforkids.com/classroom_games.htm • http://www.creativekidsathome.com/games/ • Pinterest.com

7. Things to think about • SAFETY!! • Are horses ok with it? • Is your arena set up safe for horses, riders, and volunteers? • Are there any tiny pieces that can be swallowed? • Nothing sharp, nothing protruding from the arena that could catch a horse/rider.

8. Things to think about cont. Riders Volunteers Can they do it? Have you explained it so they understand? Will your volunteer have to leave your rider? Is the set up easy for leaders to follow? • Can they do the activity? • Is it age appropriate? • How do they learn? Visual, Verbal, Kinesthetic • Will they need help from a sidewalker? • Do they throw things? • Are objects too big or too small to hold?

9. Things to think about cont. • Progression & Challenge • Does the activity allow for steps of progression? • Time: how long will it take with 1,2,3,4,5 riders? • Can you alter the activity to increase the challenge if your riders get it in less time than you anticipated?

10. Things to think about cont. Weather Durability Tearing Mouths Drool Rain Mud Horse/Human feet • Rain • Wind • Dust/Dirt • Indoor vs. Outdoor arenas

11. Things to think about cont. Flow Arena Activities Schoolers, Hippotherapy sessions Volunteer Work Groups • Does the arena set up allow for a nice flow that won’t create traffic jams? • Keeps riders moving for the most part? • Can it be reversed when you change direction?

12. Personal Experience • “Playing Pretend” • Zoo Keeper, Mail Man, Dr.’s Office, Trail Blazers, Circus, Fishing • Every Day Games: • Twister, Bowling, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Jousting, Red Rover, Connect the Dots • Sharing Ideas

13. Mine Field

14. Bowling

15. Themed Lessons • Holiday Lessons: • Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring/Easter, Thanksgiving, Winter/Christmas • Theme Weeks: • Jungle Safari, Cowboy/Cowgirl, Birthday, Silly Hat, Superhero, Carnival, Horse Show, Pizza Party, Pirates, • Un-mounted Lessons: • Scavenger Hunt, Horse Parts, Horse Moods, Horse Health, Parts of the Bridle, Parts of the Saddle,

16. St. Paddy’s day

17. In conclusion • Inspiration can come from: • Using the internet • Personal experience • Themed lessons • Sharing ideas • Things to Think About! • SAFETY!!!!, riders, volunteers, time, progression/challenges, weather, inside/outside, durability, flow, and arena activities • Questions? • Heather@littlebit.org