Reasons to Ride Your Horse
Out of the Arena

It is easy to get stuck in a routine of saddling up to train your horse in the arena every time. Practice makes perfect, right? While practice is important, horses can quickly get burnt out doing the same routine over and over again. For the best results, you'll want to vary your horse's training regimen to better support their athleticism and mental well-being. In this article, RW-sponsored rider and WPRA barrel racer Krista Williams describes four reasons why your horse's life will be enriched by getting outside of the arena—whether that's out on the trail or even working on the ranch.

Reason #1: Allows you to adjust to your horse's needs throughout the year

In barrel racing, I feel like the season never ends. I do my best to pay attention to my horses' needs throughout the year to know when we need to slow down before there is an issue. During our winter, I tend to back off and either spend time at home or help my father-in-law during calving season. It's great for my finished horses to get away from the arena but still have a job working pens, sorting, branding, checking momma cows, and tagging calves outside. As our spring run gets closer, I up my outside training and start to schedule my runs. It's important my horses get the rest they need while staying in shape, especially when we are hitting the road hard. I try to start my spring strong so I have the cushion to give my horses some rest as we get closer to finals. I also schedule a few events on my calendar for the same weekend, so I can always change my path; this gives me the ability to adjust as needed for both my and my horses' best interests.

Reason #2: Helps your horse's fitness without overdoing arena drills

Most weekends, we are on the road for two to three days hitting divisional races or rodeos. The rest of the week, my finished horses get one rest day and three to four days outside the arena doing fitness training. I rarely go to the arena during the week on a finished horse; if I do, we start by doing our normal workout outside and finish with five or ten minutes of fine tuning in the arena. Instead of working on the whole pattern, I just focus on one main issue that needs to be addressed. Usually, my green horses go outside for half lopes then cool out in the arena. It's important to remember that less is more, and there will be days when your green horses are going to pick up what you are working on on the first try. It's up to you to know when to stop. This is why I make sure I've gotten their fitness done first, so I don't feel the need to keep going when they understand the drill.

Reason #3: Keeps work with green horses a positive experience

I like to take my time with the colts and keep everything positive. You should slowly build up the pressure if you're looking for a horse that can go the distance. My colts stay home on the weekends but have the same workout schedule during the week as my finished horses, spending three or four days outside the arena doing fitness. The difference is that I haul the colts occasionally during the week to smaller races or rent arenas for the day. This way I can take my time and show them something new, all while being in control of the situation. When my colts are about six months out from entering, they haul with my older horses during the weekend. It's important to me that they learn they don't have to make a run every time they go somewhere new. This philosophy helps keep their mind quiet, and before you know it, they are as relaxed running as they are at home!

Reason #4: Helps nervous horses learn how to settle down

I have found that taking a nervous horse out of their race environment has always been the fastest way to calm them down. Getting outside of the arena can help these horses realize they can just be a horse with no pressure, while still getting into shape. When I have a nervous horse, my goal is usually to get a 30-minute workout in, without asking anything more of them than to simply trot out. Once I feel that they are ready to start hauling again, I take them on trips to spend time at races without the pressure of competing. I make sure I'm doing everything on these trips like I would if I were running. I do the same warm-up routine, get off and pick their feet, cinch up, put my rubber bands on, and go sit at the gate. I will even pay for a time-only run to just walk in the gate, get off, pull splint boots, and call it good. My husband also uses our horses as gate help as much as possible when they are getting started. The horses feel the pressure of the other horse getting ready to run, but realize they are okay standing there because nothing is happening for them; this helps keep them quiet and relaxed at the gate when they do get to run. My number-one horse is very nervous outside, and I have found that he is happiest being ponied with another horse during the week. Adjust as you need to!

Switching up your riding routine helps prevent your horse from getting frustrated in the arena; it is important for them to be happy to work, no matter the activity! We hope you feel empowered by Krista's advice on why getting out of the arena will strengthen your relationship with your equine partner. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our customer service team at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com. In the meantime, we wish to impart one more piece of advice from Krista:

"If you don't have somewhere to get your horse out of the arena, try to get on social media and reach out to see if friends have somewhere that they like to ride. You can also haul to the beach or find a public trail. If none of this is possible, just haul to a jackpot without entering. You can circle there and simply relax on your horse. The key is that your horse doesn't think they're going to work every time they step up into the trailer!"

Shop Krista Williams' Favorite Products: