Horse Agility

Horse Agility is an exciting discipline that combines elements of groundwork, natural horsemanship, and problem-solving by navigating obstacles on lead or at liberty.

Like the better-known dog agility, horse agility involves horses moving about a course of obstacles including bending poles, ramps, bridges, tunnels, and even hoops. It was created by Kalev Tyllinen in Finland in 2000 and has been steadily building since then.

Benefits

Horse Agility offers numerous benefits for both horses and handlers. For horses, it enhances their confidence, agility, and problem-solving abilities. It encourages them to think independently, adapt to new and challenging situations, and overcome fears and obstacles.

For handlers, Horse Agility cultivates essential horsemanship skills, such as leadership, communication, and timing. It sharpens your ability to read and interpret the horse’s body language, fostering effective communication and mutual trust.

Agility Obstacles

Here are some common obstacles you may encounter in Horse Agility courses:

• Tunnels: Tunnels are often used to test the horse’s willingness to enter confined spaces. They can be made of various materials such as fabric, plastic, or even natural elements like branches or logs.

  

• Bridges: From simple wooden planks to more complex structures with uneven surfaces or gaps. Horses are asked to cross the bridge calmly and confidently, demonstrating their balance and trust in their handler.
• Poles and Lanes: Arranged on the ground or set up in a pattern create pathways for the horse to navigate. They can be spaced apart to encourage precise footwork or arranged in a serpentine pattern to challenge the horse’s flexibility and maneuverability.
• Gates: Similar to working with livestock, horses are asked to pass through various types of gates, such as rope gates, wooden gates, or hanging obstacles that simulate a gate-like opening. This obstacle tests the horse’s willingness to yield to pressure and respond to the handler’s cues.
• Water Obstacles: Some Horse Agility courses incorporate water obstacles, such as small ponds or shallow streams, to assess the horse’s confidence and willingness to negotiate water.
• Pedestals and Platforms: These are used to challenge the horse’s willingness to step onto elevated surfaces. Horses are asked to stand quietly or perform specific movements, such as turning or backing off the pedestal.
• Flags and Ribbons: When attached to poles or obstacles can be used to desensitize the horse to visual stimuli. The horse is asked to approach, pass by, or maneuver around the flags or ribbons calmly and without fear.

These are just a few examples of the obstacles commonly used in Horse Agility courses. The variety and creativity of the obstacles are endless, with course designers continuously inventing new challenges to keep the sport engaging and exciting for both horse and handler.

Be inspired

Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian seeking a new challenge or a novice horse lover looking to deepen your bond with your equine companion, Horse Agility welcomes you. It promotes a supportive and inclusive community, where participants can learn from one another, share experiences, and celebrate achievements.

Facebook is a fantastic way to find a local horse agility group using their search function.

Here are some videos of horse agility in action to inspire you.