Whether you find yourself in a busy indoor in inclement weather or a busy schooling area at a horse show it can be daunting to try to navigate the traffic with other riders and horses. There are tactics you can use to not only survive the crowded ring, but accomplish a positive unflustered ride.

When riding in company whether at home or at a show it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Recognize which riders might be on a young or fractious horse and know they may not be able to steer or control their horse as well as others and give them some extra space. A red ribbon in a tail means the horse kicks and also needs a wide berth. Always look where you are going and not down at your horse. If you watch where other riders are looking you can tell where they are going to go.

Your barn may have posted arena rules and you should be aware of them and follow them. Otherwise there are guidelines that all riders should follow:

Always be courteous and have a sense of humor. We are all just trying to have a good time with our horse.
Lessons have right of way. The rider taking a lesson is paying for that time in the arena and for the trainer’s time.

Listen to the instructor or trainer for where they are telling the student to go.
Try to go the same direction as the rider in the lesson.
Know what jumps are called. When the trainer says yellow oxer to blue vertical or outside line to end jump; know what that means, where those jumps are, and don’t be there.
Yield the rail if the lesson rider needs or is working on it, i.e. lateral work or a nervous rider trying to canter.

Passing other horses

Slower traffic should always stay to the outside so faster traffic can pass to the inside.
DO NOT walk side by side or abreast when there others in the ring.
Riders on a circle or jumping should stay to the inside.
Pass left shoulder to left shoulder just like we do when driving. Not everyone knows this so don’t assume another rider will do this but maybe nicely suggest it.
USE YOUR WORDS - call inside or outside, say passing or circling if it seems another rider is not picking up on where you are going.
Call your jumps!
Always keep at least 1 horse’s length between you and the horse in front of you.
Allow space when passing side by side and head on.
Don’t ride up behind another horse going fast.

Be mindful of more novice riders. We were all there once.
It is always good to practice a downward transition. Don’t be angry if someone accidentally cuts in front of you. Use it as a great opportunity to practice a downward transition.
Aim for the other horse’s hind end not front end. By the time you get there they will be gone.
When in a horse show schooling area never cross the line to the jumps. Stay near the rail.
If an arena is very crowded everyone should go the same direction.
Always ask others if you can lunge and wait for the ring to be mostly empty. .
If you know your horse is going to be wild, wait for the ring to clear.

If you follow these practices you should be able to be proactive in handling traffic safely! Happy riding!!