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Lead-Rein Horse Riding Lesson Plan

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Lesson Focus

Developing confidence, steering, transitions and controlled trotting

Rider Level: Lead rein – beginner/improver
Duration: 30 minutes
Group: Small group of lead-rein riders
Arena: Enclosed riding arena
Equipment: Cones, poles, markers, ball, mounting block, suitable riding hats and footwear

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, riders are aiming to be able to:

  • Maintain a balanced riding position at walk.

  • Halt the horse using appropriate aids.

  • Steer accurately around the arena and between cones.

  • Ride simple changes of direction.

  • Ask for and maintain a short period of trot while holding the saddle to start progressing to one hand off and eventually when balanced both hands off the saddle.

  • Make a controlled transition from trot back to walk.

  • Develop confidence and independence while remaining on the lead rein.

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1. Introduction and Safety - start

Instructor

  • Check riders are correctly mounted and wearing correctly fitted riding hats.

  • Check stirrups and riding position.

  • Explain the lesson and remind riders about spacing between horses.

  • Explain that riders should listen for instructions before changing pace or direction.

  • Check that each rider is comfortable and understands how to use their hands safely.

Riders

  • Sit tall with shoulders relaxed.

  • Look where they are going.

  • Keep hands safely on the saddle/neck strap.

  • Maintain a safe distance from the horse in front.

 

2. Warm-Up at Walk

Arena Walk

Ride around the arena on the lead rein, those that can may need a helper or some individually.

Ask riders to practise:

  • Looking ahead.

  • Sitting tall.

  • Relaxing their shoulders.

  • Keeping their legs in a safe, comfortable position.

  • Following the horse's movement.

Exercise 1 – Halt and Walk

The instructor calls:

“Walk” → “Halt” → “Walk”

Repeat several times.

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Encourage riders to:

  • Prepare before the transition.

  • Sit tall for the halt.

  • Keep their hands steady.

  • Praise the horse when it responds.

Exercise 2 – Steering

Set out cones around the arena.

Ask riders to steer:

  • Around individual cones.

  • Through two cones.

  • Around a large circle.

  • From one side of the arena to the other.

Lead-rein handlers: Allow the rider to make the steering decision where appropriate rather than doing all the steering for them.

 

3. Main Activities

A selection from the following activities can be used mixing up each lesson to provide variations.

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Exercise 1 -  Steering Challenge

Create a simple obstacle course using cones.

Suggested Course

  1. Walk down the long side.

  2. Turn around a cone.

  3. Walk through a set of cones.

  4. Ride a large circle.

  5. Halt at a designated marker.

  6. Walk forward again.

  7. Change the rein.

Instructor Focus

Encourage riders to:

  • Look towards where they want to go.

  • Use gentle rein aids.

  • Keep their hands on the saddle.

  • Turn their shoulders slightly in the direction of travel.

  • Maintain a steady walk.

  • Complete the course independently where possible.

Progression

For more confident riders, make the course slightly narrower or add extra changes of direction. You can also progress to include trot.

 

Exercise 2 - Trot Work

Preparation

Before asking for trot, ensure riders are:

  • Balanced at walk.

  • Sitting securely.

  • Holding the saddle or neck strap securely.

  • Looking ahead.

  • Comfortable with the horse moving forward.

Exercise

On the long side of the arena, ask riders to prepare for trot.

Instructor/handler gives a clear instruction:

“Prepare for trot.”

Then:

“Trot.”

Allow a short section of trot before returning to walk.

Trot Exercises

Begin with:

  • 4–6 strides of trot.

  • Return to walk.

  • Walk around the arena.

  • Repeat on the other rein.

Progress to:

  • Trot between two cones.

  • Trot down part of the long side.

  • Trot around a large circle if appropriate.

  • Increase the number of trot strides as confidence improves.

Instructor Focus

Praise riders for:

  • Staying balanced.

  • Keeping their hands secure.

  • Looking ahead.

  • Keeping their bodies relaxed.

  • Remaining calm during the transition.

Important: The aim is controlled, confident trot rather than a long period of trotting.

 

Exercise 3 – fun activities

“Traffic Lights”

Use coloured cones or verbal commands.

Green: Walk
Amber: Prepare to halt
Red: Halt

For more confident riders:

Green: Trot
Amber: Prepare to walk
Red: Halt

Make the activity fun while reinforcing control and listening.

“Ride to the Letter”

Call out arena markers and ask riders to steer their horse towards them before halting.

“poles”

Ask the riders to walk over a pole on the floor to start

Progression:

  • Walk over more than one pole

  • trot over the pole on the floor

  • teach jumping position and hold it over the pole

  • get them to go over the pole and then halt after.

 

4. Cool Down

Allow horses to walk around the arena on a loose rein/relaxed contact as appropriate.

Ask riders to:

  • Sit tall.

  • Relax their arms.

  • Take a deep breath.

  • Think about something they achieved during the lesson.

Discuss:

“What did you find easiest?”

“What did you enjoy?”

“What would you like to improve next time?”

 

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Differentiation

Less Confident Riders

  • Use larger steering targets.

  • Keep the horse at walk for longer.

  • Use a calm, experienced lead-rein horse.

  • Reduce the amount of trot.

  • Give simple, one-step instructions.

More Confident Riders

  • Increase steering challenges.

  • Introduce smaller circles.

  • Ask riders to choose their own route between cones.

  • Increase controlled trot periods.

  • Introduce simple changes of rein independently.

Key Safety Points

  • Riders remain on the lead rein unless specifically instructed otherwise.

  • Maintain safe distances between horses.

  • No rider should be asked to trot if they are not secure at walk.

  • Keep trot periods short and controlled.

  • Handlers should remain aware of other horses and riders.

  • Stop the exercise if a rider becomes unbalanced or uncomfortable.

  • All activities should be adapted to the individual horse, rider and arena conditions.

Lesson Success Criteria

Excellent: Rider confidently steers, halts and trots with good balance and minimal assistance.

Good: Rider can steer and halt independently and maintain a secure position during short periods of trot.

Developing: Rider can walk, halt and steer with support and is beginning to develop confidence at trot.

 

 

Instructor Assessment Checklist for progression to the next level which is beginner

Each point the rider must be able to do independently as the next level (beginner) moves to a larger arena with no helpers on the ground apart from the instructor. Please also make sure that they have ridden a variety of ponies.

  • Rider maintains a balanced position at walk.

  • Rider looks ahead.

  • Rider can halt with assistance from the handler/instructor.

  • Rider can steer around cones and over poles.

  • Rider can change direction.

  • Rider listens and responds to instructions.

  • Rider maintains safe spacing.

  • Rider can trot while maintaining a secure position with independent hands

  • Rider does not need to hold onto the saddle.

  • Rider can return from trot to walk.

  • Rider demonstrates increasing confidence.

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