How to Beat Boredom while Riding

Even though a large part of my specialized training is relationship training and ground training with your horse, I also enjoy riding (trails and the arena). There’s a special connection that horses and riders share while riding and exploring trails.

In many instances, you can develop an even stronger connection and bond while riding.

I’m very lucky to have a place that has trails on the property, and over 40 acres to roam through nature. And I have lots of places to explore – ponds, streams, hills, valleys, forests, etc.

So every time I go out on a ride I have lots of new things to do and explore that keep me and my horse interested.  New trails, different things to look at, and new challenges in the terrain.

But many horse owners don’t have access to trails like this or interesting places to ride out to.  They only have access to a riding arena.

There’s only so much you can do over and over in an arena and sometimes you can run out of things to do. Especially, if you are doing a limited amount of training.  Depending on the person and the horse, riding around an arena practicing your walk, trot, and canter can get boring after a while.

Whether riders get bored when riding their horse can vary from person to person too. Some riders find horseback riding to be an exhilarating and engaging activity that they thoroughly enjoy with their horse.

While others may occasionally experience boredom, especially during repetitive or monotonous activities such as riding in an arena or on the same familiar trails over and over.

It also varies depending on your horse’s attitude towards riding.  If your horse is excited to practice in the arena or go out on the same trails over and over, then more likely you will also be enjoying these activities.

However, to mitigate boredom during riding, many riders try to keep things interesting by varying their riding routes, incorporating new exercises or challenges, and setting goals to work towards for themselves as well as their horse.

Additionally, participating in different equestrian disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, or trail riding can add variety and excitement to the overall riding experience.  Just because your horse is a show jumper doesn’t mean that he might not enjoy something else like trails.

It’s worth noting that building a strong bond and connection with your horse, focusing on improving your riding skills and being mindful of your surrounding environment can enhance the overall experience and reduce the likelihood of boredom as well.

Ultimately, the enjoyment and engagement of riding horses depend on individual preferences and goals, your horses’ attitude, and the specific circumstances of each rider.

I can suggest some common activities and strategies that you can employ to keep yourself engaged and prevent boredom during riding.

My Top 10 Tips to Beat Boredom:

1. Set Goals: Establish specific goals for your riding sessions, such as working on a particular skill or accomplishing a specific task. Having objectives can provide a sense of purpose and motivation. But be flexible.  So if something isn’t working, switch to something else that is easier for your horse to accomplish.
2. Vary your activities: Incorporate a variety of exercises and activities into your rides. This can include transitions, lateral movements, jumping, trail riding, or trying different equestrian disciplines. Mixing things up keeps both you and your horse mentally stimulated. You can also add some groundwork and relationship training before you get on your horse to ride.
3. Explore new routes: If possible, ride in different locations and explore new trails or areas. Discovering new environments can be exciting and refreshing for both you and your horse. Even exploring the same trails but going backward (from end to start) will give you a new viewpoint.
4. Challenge yourself: Continually seek opportunities to improve your riding skills. Take lessons or clinics, participate in competitions or shows, or try new training techniques. Expand your training knowledge. Working towards personal growth and development goals can help maintain your interest and engagement.
5. Ride with others: Riding alone can be fun and exciting at times, but riding with friends or joining a riding group can also make the experience more social and enjoyable. It allows for companionship, shared experiences, and the opportunity to learn from and support each other.
6. Practice mindfulness: Stay present and focused during your rides. Pay attention to your horse’s movements, body language, and subtle cues. Being fully engaged with your horse can deepen the connection and make the experience more fulfilling. Also, pay attention to your surrounding environment and enjoy the sights and sounds.
7. Listen to music or audio content: Some riders enjoy listening to music while riding. It can put you in a happy frame of mind which helps you enjoy the present moment. Just make sure to prioritize safety and remain aware of your surroundings.
8. Make the old “new”: Change up the speed, direction, and types of exercises you are doing in the arena. Ask for more “go” at a trot, ask for a slower canter, try a half-halt or a side-pass.  Add a new loop-do-loo, cut a corner, add a circle, or a backup at different places in the arena.  Make your usual exercises new and fun.
9. Travel: Travel to horse-friendly places. Find a new arena, a new trail, or somewhere else where you would enjoy riding.  When you find others to ride with, you will also find someone with a trailer (if you don’t have one) and learn about other good places to ride.
10. Let your Horse decide: Ok, this is a game changer. When you are on the trail or in the arena, let your horse decide what to do.  If he’s high energy, he may want to canter or play.  If he is low energy, he may only want to walk or just hang out with you.  Whatever it is, let your horse decide every once in a while.  Don’t force your own agenda every time you are with your horse.  Who knows, you might have some fun.

Remember, it’s important to prioritize the safety and well-being of both you and your horse.

If you’re ever feeling tired or fatigued during a ride, it’s essential to take breaks, rest, and listen to your body.

If you are thinking about work, upset, or angry then take a moment or two and calm down before you go on your ride.  You don’t want to take that negative energy to your horse and especially not on your ride.  Settle down first and enjoy the peace and tranquility that being with your horse can bring you.

If you are alert, happy, and interested in what you are doing, you will enjoy your ride more and no longer be bored.

Well, there are lots of creative things you can do to stay interested when riding. I’m sure you can think of other fun exercises you can work into your regular riding routine.

Be creative, decide what you want to do, and build your ride into a series of exercises that develop from one to the other. Challenge yourself and your horse and you will never again be bored while riding in the arena.

Those are my top 10 tips on keeping yourself interested while riding your horse beating boredom.  Next week I will give you my top tips on keeping your horse interested while you ride.

Until next week, I hope you have a great weekend and have some fun riding.  Happy Horses!