Keeping your horse together in a 20x40 arena... Struggling!

Dusty85

Dusty85

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Hey all,

I'm after some advice....

I really struggle to keep my long striding 16.3h horse together around the corners of a 20x40 dressage arena. Does anyone have any tips!?!

I use half halts a lot, but he becomes unbalanced on the left (our worse rein) on the tight corners on a 20x40. I struggle to make the turn after coming down the centre line, without lots of tension creeping in. Does anyone else struggle with this?

I am terribly guilty of allowing tension to creep in , the moment I step through those boards of the arena, mostly because I know there will be lots of tension! I'm absolutley fine with 20x60 arenas

Any help/tips appreciated!
 
Yeah it's hard work! I found that by opening the outside rein while turning or in the corners on a circle it made it easier for him to balance.
 
If you ride and practice lots of 10m circles, then ride the corner as 1/4 of a circle.
Plus take a deep breath as you ride the corners, if you stay relaxed the horse should too!
 
If it's you getting tense in a test situation move the boards at home in by a metre all round. Once you get into a 20 x 40 from a 18 x 38 you have a whole load more space to play with:D
 
I think it's worth remembering that a 20x60 is only LONGER than a 20x40. Everything else is still the same - turns on and off the centreline are still essentially half 10m circles, 20m circles are the same size, turns across the school and half 10m circles B-X-E are the same. Most of the lack of room in a 20x40 is lack of width rather than lack of length and in that respect it is no different.

The only things that are different in a 20x60 are things like half circles and returning to the track in counter-canter - the angle tends to be shallower (depending on the marker) in a 20x60.Diagonals are a lot longer too but that's hardly a good thing when you're going from H to F in medium trot - it's a very long way.

I think you have to think about it mathematically and realise that most of the geometry of the movements is exactly the same, regardless of arena length. If you struggle to turn off a centreline in a 20x40 but are fine in a 20x60 then it's in your head!! ;)
 
I struggle with my husband's long striding 17h hunter in the school. I find him better in an indoor arena. Luckily my neighbour has a 17x38m indoor that is good for him. There is nothing to gawp at for him, the walls seem to help, and you have to work even harder to hold him together in it. I find him worse in a long arena where he can really get his stride up on the long side!
 
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