The holiday season is here, and what better way to celebrate than by incorporating the holiday theme into your riding lessons? In this blog post, we have a sleigh-full of Christmas-themed games designed for horseback riders of all ages and levels. These games and activities would be perfect for lessons the week before Christmas!
Christmas Games on Horseback
Forget the chilly weather and conventional holiday activities – it’s time to focus on holiday fun like no other. For this post, we’re heading to the barn and ready to celebrate Christmas with our four-legged pals. We tried to include games that can be enjoyed by all – though of course only you (or your trainer) knows which activities your horse may or may not tolerate. Make sure you introduce your horse to all props and game items before you hop on his back. Knowing that he won’t spook at something like jingle bells will ensure a fun time by everyone.
From reindeer relays to jingle bell jumps and candy cane scavenger hunts – we’ve got it all covered! So, grab your Santa hat, saddle up, and let’s make some magical memories with your horsey besties.
- Reindeer Relay Race
- Jingle Bell Jump Course
- Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt
- Christmas Costume Contest
- Snowball Toss
- Christmas Tree Decorating Game
- Christmas Card Relay
- Snowflake Stomp
- Christmas Stocking Race
- Christmas Carol Musical Stalls
Reindeer Relay
Set up a relay race and enjoy the reindeer relay. Split riders into teams and give each rider a small present (real or fake, does not matter) to hold.
Line the teams up across a starting line. When the race starts, the first rider for each team will walk or trot their gift to a designated spot across the ring. They will drop their gift off at this spot and trot to the back of their team line.
Then the next person from the team can deliver her gift and so on. The first team to have all gifts delivered and have their entire team back behind the starting line is the winner.
Jingle Bell Jump Course
Set up a jump course and hang jingle bells from the poles. Riders take turns jumping the course and earn a point for each time they make a bell ring.
The rider with the fewest points at the end is the winner.
Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt
Hide candy canes around the riding arena Riders must find as many as they can while on horseback.
Christmas Costume Parade and Contest
Organize a costume contest where riders and their horses dress up as Santa, elves, or other holiday characters. Award prizes for different categories, for example: most original, most festive, funniest.
Snowball Toss
Set up empty buckets or hula hoops around the ring. These are the targets! Give riders soft, plush snowballs to toss into buckets or hoops while riding. Award points for accuracy.
Christmas Tree Decorating Game
Set up a Christmas tree (big or small) in the ring or on the fence. Each rider starts with a certain number of ornaments. (We recommend plastic or plush ornaments. Never use glass!) I like giving each rider a different set of matching ornaments so that it’s easy to tell which ornament belongs to each person.
Each time a rider passes the tree during the riding lesson, she tries to hang an ornament on the tree. The rider with the most decorations on the tree at the end of the ride wins.
Christmas Card Relay
Split riders into teams and give each rider a Christmas card to hold.
Line the teams up across a starting line. When the race starts, the first rider for each team will walk or trot their card to a mailbox across the ring. They will drop their card into the mailbox trot to the back of their team line.
Then the next person from the team can deliver her card and so on. The first team to have all cards delivered and have their entire team back behind the starting line is the winner.
Snowflake Stomp
Create a pattern of snowflakes on the ground with cardboard snowflakes. Riders must navigate their horses through the pattern without stepping on any.
Christmas Stocking Race
Set up small piles of different items around the riding area. For example, a pile of hoof picks or a pile of apples. You can place the items in buckets or baskets if you wish.
Hand each rider a stocking. Riders must fill their stockings with one item from each pile as quickly as they can. Once their stockings have been filled, they must hang up their stocking either on a nail/hook on the wall or anywhere else you designate.
The first rider to hang up his filled stocking is the winner.
Christmas Carol Musical Stalls
Set up a “stall” in the ring for each horse using poles to create the outline of a box. Each rider starts the game in one of the “stalls.”
This game is played just like musical chairs. Remove one of the “stalls” so that there are not enough spaces for one of the riders.
Play Christmas songs while riders walk around the pole “stalls.” When the music stops, riders must scramble to guide their horses into a stall. The horse left out of a stall is out of the game.
Remove another “stall” and play another round. Repeat this process until only 2 riders and 1 stall remains. The final rider to grab the final stall is the winner.
I hope these game ideas have given you some inspiration for adding a bit of seasonal fun to your own barn! Let us know if you give any of them a try! Be sure to check out the rest of our Christmas content while you’re here.
