Group riding, or riding with a friend presents some challenges, as you well know. Unless your horse is bomb proof and excellent at giving you their full attention, you know that being subject to another rider and another horse creates opportunity for your horse to act up.

Lots of people avoid riding altogether because the fear of one horse or rider acting inappropriately is enough of make your horse career a solo career.

Here's the thing, confidence to ride in groups comes from the confidence you have in your horse to NOT respond to the group and only respond to you. Ironically, very few people consider this and take any appropriate steps to train their horse to the environment. Most people cross their fingers and hope the other rider doesn't do something stupid and cause a wreck. And when that fails, they just start avoiding riding with friends.
But there is a cure... a two part cure.

One: Communicate expectations about you, your horse, and your friend and their horse. We don't want someone just riding off into the sunset without your ok. You wouldn't do that to them would you? So set the tone earlier and develop a handful of calls and signals to each other that indicate it's time to stop and regroup for your, or your horse's sake.

Two: Train for the environment. Here's a few ideas.

Start training for the environment by taking your horse to places with lots of horse activities. Don't ride, just guide. Guide your horse to stay grounded and attentive through the whole experience.

Invite your friends to join you at your place. Invite them to gallop about and play with their horse while you tame and guide your own.

When you turn your horse out in a new field, don't just let them all run loose. Take your riding horse and ask him to stay calm as the others run loose. Maybe not every time, because we all love seeing a horse kick up his heels and play in a new space, but sometimes. Sometimes, ask him to stay with you, because that opportunity mirrors riding with friends and gaining more independence.

When riding with a friend, take the lead more often. Design and communicate your desire to head in different directions for a minute, gradually stretching the distance your horses can tolerate being apart.

When heading nose to tail down the trail. Ask your horse to choose a different path from time to time. Your friend goes left around the rock, you go right. Simple leadership tips like that start to make a big difference overall.

In summary, don't go hoping it's all gonna be okay, get soured by the experience and avoid people on horseback after. Instead, communicate your goals and then begin your basic control and confidence training.

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