Mastering Riding Etiquette: A Guide for Beginners in Horseback Riding - Part I

Horseback riding encompasses more than simply a passion for horses or the thrill of riding. It involves a series of important unspoken rules and guidelines that every rider should be aware of. For those new to riding, grasping riding etiquette is crucial to having an enjoyable and safe time in the saddle while fostering a respectful community within the equestrian sphere. This guide outlines the fundamental etiquette that every novice rider should adhere to.

Understanding Your Environment

Before you even get on your horse, take the time to understand your riding surroundings. Whether you're at a riding school or a public arena, watching experienced riders can teach you a lot. Pay attention to how they interact with their horses and each other.

For example, in a busy arena, you might notice experienced riders maintaining a safe distance between their horses. This awareness can help you avoid potentially crowded situations. In fact, during peak times, arenas can have as many as 20 horses and riders at once. Being mindful of this environment will help you know when it’s best to approach or step back.

In order to use a common space like the arena safely, there are certain rules that help us avoid accidents and allow us to enjoy the space together with other people and their horses.

Indoor arena of the 2x World Champion of Working Equitation, Gilberto Filipe.

Depending on the country we're in, as well as the road code, some of the same rules apply inside the arena, regarding overtaking and passing priorities that require the rider's full attention.

We'll explain some of the rules with pictures to help you understand each situation better.

Entering and leaving the Indoor Arena:

In an indoor arena, it is imperative to warn others of our presence before we enter, asking permission to anyone that is inside, either out of good manners, because it is being used by someone riding a young horse who might get spooked or who is working on the wall and has a right over the track. This means that whoever is riding the situation described above has the right of way/passage, the right to remain on the wall.

As soon as we have permission/knowledge that it is safe to enter, we can proceed with this action. When leaving, it is also a good idea to warn anyone who might be outside of our presence.

Entering and leaving an Outdoor Arena:

Unlike the indoor arena, as there are no walls to impede our visibility, it would only be necessary to ask permission from those already using the space. Remember that even if you have full visibility of the space around you, it's good manners to let those in the arena know that you're  either entering or leaving.

Note: In Portugal, people start their riding journey by getting used to asking for permission to enter/leave the arena, or even mount/dismount the horse, so we do it even if there's no one in the arena! We see it as a routine of good manners and good etiquette for anyone who is in our presence.

When inside the arena:

Just like on the roads in the UK, cars drive on the left and this rule is also applied inside the arena. (img. 1 ~ 1.1) If you ride on the right rein, you have priority over the use of the wall, so anyone coming from the front (on their left rein) they will have to give way to you.

 Image 1 👉🏻

Image 1.1 👇🏻

Note: In European countries such as Portugal, the direction of priority changes and those on the right rein have the right of way (img. 2 ~ 2.1).

Image 2 👉🏻

Image 2.1 👇🏻

In another situation, if you continue to ride on the right rein, someone who wants to overtake you will have to do so on the 2nd or 3rd track on your right and return to the wall again as soon as it is safe to do so (img.3 👇🏻), or they can choose to stay in the track they changed to while overtaking you.

If you are riding to the left rein, you will be the one who has to give the right of way to anyone coming towards you (on your right) (img.4👇🏻).

Note: These rules also apply in circles!

Not too complicated, right? 😁

But we're not done yet 😮‍💨

There may be situations where someone needs to use the wall, such as novice riders who can’t yet control the horse well or young horses in training, and this priority will be requested of everyone present. Other people may use the 3/4 lines or simply the inside tracks to give the right of way to those who have requested it. 

If you know that there are young horses or stallions in the arena, it is good etiquette to ask if it is necessary to keep your distance to avoid accidents or bad reactions from these animals. If someone wants to train for a test, they should ask permission from those present or wait until they have finished their training session before doing so.

For all riders, clear and concise communication is very important so that everyone can enjoy the same space. All the rules mentioned above are simple and common to be followed in any arena in the world. We must do our best to follow them so that we can ensure safe use of the riding arena. 

And here finished our second blog post! It was a long read, but certainly a very instructive one. 📖🤓 Please let us know if you like our content! It truly helps us stay motivated to keep creating more content for you. 💻

Written by: Bhhk's Team,

 Inês Guerreiro