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Associated sport: Equestrian
Indoor-friendly: Yes
Pool-friendly: No

Game description

Working in pairs teams replicate the nonverbal communication and trust required in the partnership between horse and rider.

What you need (setting up)

• 8 – 10 x cones or markers.
• 1 x long skipping rope or 2 x small ropes per pair.
• 1 x blind fold per pair.
• 1 x stop watch.

What to do

• In pairs 1 person is the ‘horse’ and 1 is the ‘rider’.
• The person as the horse puts the blindfold on and wrap the skipping rope around their hips or chest - if using 2 ropes they can hold one in each hand.
• The person as the rider takes the ends of the skipping rope and holds them as the ‘reins’ to steer their partner.
• On 'Go!' the rider (who cannot speak) steers the horse through the course only using the reins to direct them.
• The horse should move forward unless stopped by the rider. A pull on both reins will stop the horse
• Pull the left rein to turn left and right rein to turn right.

Scoring

• The winner is the pair with the best time through the course.

Change it

• Restrict the ‘gait’ (pattern of movement of the limbs) that the horse can move at , e.g. walk, trot (skipping), canter (jogging) or gallop (sprint) NOTE: Remove the blindfolds if gallop is used.
• Add obstacles to move over or around – use flat obstacles to jump over.
• Change the configuration of the course.

Safety

• Use gentle actions on the reins to prevent injuries.

Ask the players

• What happens to a ‘horse’ when the aids are put on too hard?