grid work and flat work training whats involved

[EJ87]

Hi everyone as u's already il have my mare a year in may and what a journey it has been but we are gettin on very well now and im thinking of joining a local riding club. The first sessions there holding is 3 weeks of grid work and then 3 weeks of flat work just wondering if anyone can tell me what all i will be expected to do? i have now reached the level that i can jump a course of 6 50cm jumps in canter. thank for any heads up as iv never done anything like this shes my first horse and iv only ever had private lessons on her although she gets on v well with other horses so im not worried about her just me dont want to show her up!!!

 

[MrsMozartletoe]

The grid work will be two, three, or four (maybe more) jumps in a row. Not high. The idea is to get the horse focused and listening and the rider being in control of speed and direction. The distances between the jumps will be anything from bounces (no strides - the horse lands then takes off straight away) to up to a couple of strides. No doubt a purist will put me right if I've been doing it wrong all these years

The flatwork will probably concist of exercices to balance your horse, get hiim flexing evenly to both sides, working from behind and bringing his back end underneath him. You'll be encouraged to ride him between your hand and leg - using your legs as guides for him to go round the bends and your hands to help stop his shoulder falling out as you follow the bend.

Give it a go . If you don't like it you can stop going. You should be encouraged to try things, but not pushed too far out of you and your horse's comfort zone :d

If you go, let us know how you got on