Dressage Divas - An explanation of this exercise

[blackhor2e]

Currently trying to encourage my lovely boy to stretch over his back and dissipate some of the tension that he holds in his outline (especially his neck).

One exercise that has actually started working for me is to put him on a small 10-15m circle. Ask for outside flexion and then push him sideways onto a larger circle with my inside leg, gradually creating a bend from my inside leg.

My question is, if I do this exercise with him a couple of times on each rein he begins to soften and stretch, which is great. But I'm not entirely sure why? I have a theory but not to sure how correct it is.?

Am I right in assuming this exercise may help activate his inside hind and creates a consistent contact to the outside rein so he is able to stretch into my hand? I love the fact the exercise is helping me, but I would love to know the theory a little bit more in depth, anyone?

 

[PorkChop]

You are a lot more experienced then me and I am sure someone knowledgeable will be along to explain!

However, I do this exercise quite a lot, I actually use it to straighten and add power as it helps me control the shoulders - brilliant exercise

 

[ruth83]

I do similar exercises with many of my clients. In my experience, most often the reason that it works so well is that the counter flexion causes the rider to take a better contact in the outside rein (outside contact is so frequently lacking in many riders - myself included at times). As they move the horse over with the inside leg, they maintain the outside rein contact.

 

[be positive]

I do similar exercises with many of my clients. In my experience, most often the reason that it works so well is that the counter flexion causes the rider to take a better contact in the outside rein (outside contact is so frequently lacking in many riders - myself included at times). As they move the horse over with the inside leg, they maintain the outside rein contact.

This usually, it is often a rider issue and this exercise forces, not a word I like to use but in this case it is appropriate, the rider to take a proper connection with the outside rein , it also works to straighten up a slightly crooked horse so the benefits are twofold, the result the horse starts to engage more correctly as it becomes genuinely straight and through, you can then start to release the tension and ask them to stretch down.
It also works well if you can then start to incorporate transitions into the circle as well by reducing anticipation which tense horses often are inclined to use as a way of avoiding coming through evenly.

 

[blackhor2e]

You are a lot more experienced then me and I am sure someone knowledgeable will be along to explain!

However, I do this exercise quite a lot, I actually use it to straighten and add power as it helps me control the shoulders - brilliant exercise

It is a really great exercise, can't believe that I haven't tried it before. We do have a small issue with the left shoulder drifting in the opposite direction of where it should be so hopefully this exercise should help that too

 

[blackhor2e]

I do similar exercises with many of my clients. In my experience, most often the reason that it works so well is that the counter flexion causes the rider to take a better contact in the outside rein (outside contact is so frequently lacking in many riders - myself included at times). As they move the horse over with the inside leg, they maintain the outside rein contact.

Thanks Ruth, the contact is so much better for this exercise and I have more issues with contact than the horse, it is something I'm working on so I'm glad to hear this exercise helps

 

[blackhor2e]

This usually, it is often a rider issue and this exercise forces, not a word I like to use but in this case it is appropriate, the rider to take a proper connection with the outside rein , it also works to straighten up a slightly crooked horse so the benefits are twofold, the result the horse starts to engage more correctly as it becomes genuinely straight and through, you can then start to release the tension and ask them to stretch down.
It also works well if you can then start to incorporate transitions into the circle as well by reducing anticipation which tense horses often are inclined to use as a way of avoiding coming through evenly.

I understand, I love the idea of doing transitions within the exercise. I may go and try that tomorrow

 

[Kylara]

As has been mentioned above, it works to improve the outside contact (v. important and sadly often negected, often inadvertently) and the counter flexion helps to straighten the horse. Basically a rider fixer that benefits the horse as well