Riding Etiquette — 10 Keys to Friendly Riding

If you share an arena with other riders, knowing what to do can help avoid accidents.

Here are ten simple rules to follow whenever there are other riders around:

1.  Call out, “Door!” before you open a door to an arena, and wait for a response before you enter. This will let anyone inside know you are there and they will be able to let you know when it is safe to enter.

2.  Mount and adjust tack in the center of the arena, where you are out of the way of other riders. Stopping along the rail blocks the way for anyone else who is riding.

3.  Leave at least one horse-length between your horse and another horse. Riding too closely can scare horses or result in a horse or rider getting kicked.

4.  Often at big gatherings, riders tie a red ribbon onto the tail of any horse that kicks. Make sure to give plenty of room to any horse with a red ribbon in its tail. And if your horse is a kicker, make sure you tie on a red ribbon!

5.  Allow horses that are trotting or cantering to ride on the rail. If you are walking or stopping, move to the inside.

6.  If a rider is coming toward you, keep them on your left side by moving to the right, so you pass each other just like cars on the road.

7.  Call out which side you will pass on when you are overtaking another rider who is going slower than you. You can say, “On your left!” or “Coming up on your left!”

8.  If another horse spooks or a rider has a problem, slow down and stay calm. Give the horse plenty of room. Respect beginning riders and green horses, and avoid rushing past so as not to startle anyone.

9.  If you are jumping, make sure to call out which jump or combination of jumps you are about to do. Say something like, “White gate!” at least ten strides before the jump so other riders know to stay out of your way.

10.  Make sure to always look behind you before you do a circle or turn off the rail. You don’t want to suddenly cut off someone who is riding up behind you.

There are many situations that come up when a bunch of riders are all trying to use the same space. This list does not cover them all. But a simple dose of respect, awareness and a dash of common sense will go a long way in helping everyone get along!