Horse Agility is the first international competitive unmounted equine sport that rewards relationship and communication while navigating different obstacles.
It is an exciting way to have fun with your horse without riding. Any equine can participate from miniature horses to drafts and even donkeys and mules. It is great for horses that can’t be ridden for physical reasons and for ponies that are too small for adult riders.
Horse Agility is an International sport. It is great for anyone who can’t or does not want to ride. It is also for those who do ride as it takes your horsemanship to another level. You will start online with your horse completing an obstacle course. There are 5 levels for competition with the higher levels being against the clock and at liberty.
What makes Horse Agility different from other Equestrian sports?
Horse Agility is centered around the horse. It is about improving your communication skills and building a solid partnership. It develops the horses confidence from the ground. You can’t bully or hurt your horse in any way. What is really neat is that the scoring system gives marks for horsemanship even if the horse refuses to complete some of the obstacles.
What are some of the benefits of Horse Agility?
- Keeps your horse mentally sharp during the winter
- Prepares young horses for saddle training
- No fancy tack is needed just a halter and lead
- Don’t have to own a horse to get involved
- Can compete Internationally from your own back yard or get involved with a club in your area
I’ve found that Horse Agility helps young horses or older horses being started or restarted under saddle. It sets the horses mind and body up to accept tasks from the ground.
How to get involved
Getting involved with the Horse Agility club is very easy. First you must become a member to participate in the online video competition. Whether you want to compete online or not get involved as Horse Agility is a fantastic way to improve your communication skills with your horse along with building your horses confidence.
If you want to get better results with your horse for the Horse Agility competitions then get signed up for my online courses today. You can learn from the privacy of your own home.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for posting this Kim.
I love the way you explained everything so clearly. It sounds as though Horse Agility would also be a great way to develop a relationship with your horse and keep your horse fit if it has had an injury or if the rider has also had an injury.
I know I have seen dog agility and I KNOW that dogs love the agility and some breeds have more aptitude for agility. Do certain horse breeds have more apptitude for horse agility?
~Laura
Thank you Laura! Yes Horse Agility is a great way to develop a relationship with your horse plus it really helps the owner to develop their horsemanship skills for communication. My students have told me that this helped their horses during the winter months when they could not ride as it keeps the horses mind going in a positive direction. As far as certain horse breeds being more apptitude for agility I have not seen that yet as there have been several different breeds that have done this so far.
Kim