Instructions
Liberty training is a special way to work with horses using body language instead of ropes. It's all about fun, trust, and movement! Get ready to use your brain for some math and your body for some fun exercises, just like a horse and trainer in the liberty arena.
Part 1: Math in the Arena
Solve these problems about a day of liberty training.
1. Arena Perimeter Path
The training arena is a big rectangle. The short sides are 10 meters long and the long sides are 30 meters long. If you and your horse walk all the way around the edge of the arena one time, how many meters will you walk in total?
Show your work: ____________________________________
Total meters: ________
2. Carrot Rewards
Rewarding a horse is important! Solve these word problems.
a. You brought 24 carrot sticks for a training session. You give your horse 9 of them for doing a great job. How many carrot sticks do you have left?
Answer: ________ carrot sticks
b. Your horse loves to circle you at a trot. You give him 2 apple slices for every circle he completes. If you want him to make 6 circles, how many apple slices will you need?
Answer: ________ apple slices
3. Gait Patterns
In liberty, you can ask a horse to move in a pattern. Figure out the pattern and write what comes next.
WALK, WALK, TROT, CANTER, WALK, WALK, TROT, CANTER, ________, ________, ________
Part 2: Physical Education in the Paddock
Time to move your body! A good trainer needs to be as athletic as their horse.
Activity 1: The Four Gaits
Pretend you are a horse moving around the arena. Do each movement for 15 seconds.
- Walk: March in place or around the room slowly and steadily.
- Trot: Lightly jog in place. This is a bouncy, two-beat movement.
- Canter: Skip around the room. It's a three-beat movement, like a happy rocking horse.
- Halt: Freeze! Stand perfectly still like a statue.
Activity 2: Trainer's Agility Course
A trainer needs to change direction quickly and quietly. Follow these commands in your space.
- From your starting spot, take 4 giant steps forward.
- Now, take 6 quick, tiny steps backward.
- Do 3 star jumps!
- Side-step to your left 5 times.
- Spin around one time to your right.
- Balance on one foot and count to 5. Now switch feet and do it again!
Activity 3: Cool-Down Stretches
Every athlete needs to cool down. Hold each stretch and count slowly to 10.
- Reach for the Hay: Stand tall and reach your arms as high as you can to the ceiling.
- Fence Stretch: Bend over and try to touch your toes (or your shins!).
- Neck Roll: Gently and slowly roll your head in a circle one way, then the other.
Answer Key
Part 1: Math in the Arena
1. Arena Perimeter Path
Show your work: 10 + 30 + 10 + 30 = 80
Total meters: 80
2. Carrot Rewards
a. 15 carrot sticks (24 - 9 = 15)
b. 12 apple slices (2 x 6 = 12)
3. Gait Patterns
WALK, WALK, TROT
Part 2: Physical Education in the Paddock
There are no wrong answers for the movement activities! Great job moving your body!