Rules of the Road

Horsemanship Level 2: Riding in Groups

Much of the last item on the Horsemanship 2 checklist

9. Rules for riding in a group

is covered in the Riding 1 post, Safety in Numbers.  At the second level however, you will also be asked about group etiquette and safety when riding outside of the ring and off property.

In general when hacking out, pick a steady horse and experienced rider to lead the group.  Another experienced rider should bring up the rear to keep an eye on everyone. Horses are herd animals and will feel much safer if the lead horse is calm and unbothered by the unpredictable enounters of the trails.  However, one panicky horse can set all the others off, so it's best to keep the greenies and spookers near the back of the ride.

General Rules

• Ride single file on roadsides and trails, and keep to the agreed order of file.
• Keep approximately one horse length back from the horse in front of you
• Ride at a walk unless everyone in the group agrees to a short trot or canter.
• Always ride to the abilities of the least experienced rider or the greenest horse in the group.
• Cross roads as a group, with 3-4 horses abreast
• Stop and wait for the slowest horses in the group to catch up if necessary.
• If one person calls a halt, the rest of the group should repeat the message till it reaches the front or back of the line.

On Roads

• Wear bright clothing, fluorescent vests, or safety lights
• Horses are considered vehicular traffic, and permitted to ride on roads.  However, most riders prefer the verge out of courtesy to drivers and kindness to their horse's feet and legs.
• Travel in the same direction as traffic if using the road.  If using the verge, pick the side of the road with the widest shoulder and best visibility.
• The lead rider should use hand signals to indicate changes of direct and halts.  Following riders should use the same signals to indicate to cars behind them.
• Yield to pedestrians

In Open Fields and Trails

• Remember that horses wind each other up.  Only canter as a group if all the members are sure they have good stopping power.
• If riding several horses abreast, keep to the pace, and don't move ahead of that horse.
• Warn riders behind you of hazards you spot, such as holes

This brings us to the end of the Horsemanship Level 2 series of posts.  Coming up next, Riding Level 2!

Cavaliere Program News

Congrats to Karissa, who passed her Horsemanship level 1 on Saturday.  A job well done!

Mounted Games Practices continue  every Friday evening from 5-7pm throughout the summer as we prepare for our Knightly Games Tournament on September 29th.  The cost for games practice on a school horse is $15 for Academie Duello members; or $25 for non-members.  Ring fee if you are using your own horse is $5. Spectators welcome!

There is no Intro this month -- next one is August 4th.  However, we still have our regular Mounted Combat workshop on July 7th.  The next series of Cavaliere classes takes us through July and August.  If you want to participate in the tournament from horseback you'll need your Riding Level 1, and you'll need your Riding Level 2 to ride in the next Mounted Archery workshop, so sign up now to get signed off for September!

Mounted Combat
Sunday July 7th, 1-4pm
Sunday August 4th, 1-4pm
cost: $60 per workshop

Cavaliere Classes
Saturdays, 4- 7:30pm, July 13, 27, Aug 10, 24
cost: $60 per class; $200 for 4 classes

Mounted Combat + Cavaliere classes: $120 per month (3 classes for the price of 2)

Intro to Mounted Combat
Sunday August 4th, 10am-12:30pm
cost: $99
Intro + regular Mounted Combat on the same day: $149

Mounted Archery
Saturday September 28th
times & details tba

Knightly Games Tournament
Sunday September 29th 10am – 4pm
Mark your calendars!

Jennifer Landels heads up Academie Duello's Cavaliere Program. She has been swordfighting since 2008, and riding since before she could walk. She started the program as an excuse to combine those passions.
Read more from Jennifer Landels.