Riding Exercises

Last night in my lesson, we did a little pole work to continue our straightness & outside rein journey! Using this T pattern, we were able to focus on making sure we stayed straight when trotting or walking across the poles, as well as not having messy leg yields where the haunch trails or shoulder bulges. The visual guide of the poles (and also the hoof track left after doing it a few times!) is super helpful and really helps nitpick. This is not exclusive to centerlines but is great for straightness training for everybody!

20cm circle with ground poles that can be raised into cavalry to heigh poles! I’ve been doing this a lot with the young horses to let them practice getting out the bend and exerting energy over a pole and then slow back down around the turn and repeat, it’s a great way to practice polework and speed control, both riding and on the ground

One of my favorite ground pole set-ups! So many different ways to ride it!

Try out!

This is how I have my students do their first jump. Set up a chute on the long side of the arena, with a single low crossrail in the middle. Students enter the chute at a working trot, drop reins (secure them to the saddle with a grab strap if preferred), stretch arms out to the sides and trot the fence. Pick up reins before exiting the chute. This teaches riders how to find balance in light seats and the two-point without relying on their hands.For more advanced students, consider setting up a gymnastic of lower fences. This gymnastic could lead to a higher fence.

Pole series

Hey , i hope someon has some inspirations for me i can only take slow walks with mx horse because of an old injury. But thats a bit boring do you have any suggestions for head work ? thanks

Walk to halt and back to walk This little pocket rocket gets very tense, very nervous when doing things “slow” so we’ve been working on just walking and stopping  It helps her with body awareness and relaxing when being ridden and it helps me to relax but also to ride “without expectations” I feel that the more you know (“know” as we never know enough with horse riding) the more expectations you create for yourself and your horse and that’s not always positive. Don’t be afraid to just walk ☺️