Riding Exercises

This exercise takes 8 poles if you want to do it both directions but can be done with just 3 as well. The main goal of the exercise is to use your seat to communicate your horse through the poles.  First you come in from the left or right at the trot hugging the first pole, then leg yield to get your horse center to the next pole and trot over it. After you trot over the pole use your seat to transition down to the walk and aim straight into the “shoot” created by the poles. As you approach the third pole, use your seat to halt your horse. Stay in the halt for a few moments, then ask your horse to walk on over the pole and leg yield them to the opposite side you came into for the final pole.  Feel free to comment below if my description is not clear and you would like further clarification!

I saw this exercise on insta. Very nice to train balance and get your horse better on the aids (legs and quick respons)

This is a lunging exercise I‘ve been doing for the past couple of weeks, but tweaked a little (and it can be done on saddle too). I trot Nathan over the poles and ask hom to canter immediatley after. I ask him to go back to trot right before the poles and repeat that a few times on both reins. Its an amazing exercise for both listening to aids and hind muscles.

This is an exercise my trainer and I have worked on for a few weeks now. Its used to help with lead changes in canter, but can also help with loosening the horse while trotting

Polework is great for all seats. Walk, trot and cantering. Encourages good use of leg, proper straightness, and flow.

Grid work is so much fun and perfect for building up the hind end and working on the rider's position. Play around the number of fences....poles, X's, verticals and or oxers. Bounces, one stride or two strides. Landing left or right. Working on lead changes.

The classic jumping / cavaletti exercise to get balance, lateral movement....and is perfect to practice collection and extension. Try a long or short approach and switch it up. Also perfect for lead changes.

I think this pole grid is so easy to set up because you don’t need to think about the distances (At least if you’re me, I always skip the poles at the and and beginning😂 Just the two crosses)