Recommendations for in hand exercises/book?

[Jingleballs]

Due to a lack of a decent arena, I can only really do in hand work with my horse during the week.

I can just about manage a decent lunging session if the school isn't too wet but I'd like to do some other in hand exercises - even just in walk to help maintain some flexibility as he can get a bit stiff over the winter.

Ideally some very simple exercises - think idiot's guide - as I've never been great at interpreting written instructions or ones that are overly complicated.

Thanks

 

[EQUIDAE]

I've posted on 2 threads about his already in the past week, as have lots of others - have a quick search...

 

[Jingleballs]

Sorry which threads are you referring to? I can't see that many that you have started and certainly none that appears to be on this subject?

 

[Wheels]

Schooling exercises in hand by Oliver hilberger or you could sign up for something like straightness training

 

[Jingleballs]

Schooling exercises in hand by Oliver hilberger or you could sign up for something like straightness training

Thank you I've read/watched some of the straightness training articles but didn't find they too description - I thought you had to sign up to the wider content to get this?

 

[Wheels]

Yes you would have to pay for the home study course or find one of the instructors near you.

 

[Fuzzypuff]

I did a blog entry here with videos of my in hand lesson at Turville, hope this helps: http://serendipitydressage.co.uk/2015/04/turville-valley-stud-in-hand-clinic.html

 

[Simon Battram]

There are various aspects to ground work which include single rein lungeing, two rein lungeing and in-hand work. I can help you with exercises for all if you would like.

You can split it down to :
- lungeing for exercise (no equipment just lungeing off a bridle / cavesson)
- lungeing for work (roller, side reins etc)
- two rein lungeing (roller, two lunge lines, no side reins)
- in-hand Spanish Riding School (SRS) style (same set up as for lungeing with roller side reins etc)
- in-hand work more the Iberian style (just using the reins on a normal snaffle bridle).

The lungeing for exercise is about suppleness, looseness and reaction. The horse is encouraged to stretch and really drape their neck to the floor. The key here is one circle path (not falling in or out), one energy level (they maintain it not you) and one soft elastic contact. When the horse stays on one line, with the same energy level to a soft contact and they release to these aids they release and stretch to the floor.

For work warm up with no side reins, a period of stretching both ways and then put on the side reins, never overly tight and work the horse up to a contact, transitions, spiral in leg yield out, on and backs etc and then a period without side reins at the end for stretch work. Never stretch down in side reins as this encourages the horse to over bend.

Once the horse is established with single rein lungeing I progress to lungeing with two reins. The reins go from you hands, to the highest rings on the roller and then down either side of the neck to each bit ring, so nothing goes around behind the horse and the contact comes from roughly speaking where your hands would be. This then gives the opportunity to stretch down or pick up, an inside and outside rein and you can lunge on a circle or go large walking roughly 30 degrees to the side and work all of the lateral work.

The in-hand SRS style is mainly aimed at starting and working the piaffe and passage. They use very little side ways work and it basically has the horse set up for lungeing (roller side reins, lunge line to cavesson) and you work walk halt walks, rein back, touching each hindleg in halt to invite the horse to react and raise it and go form there.

The Iberian style is where you work with just the reins on the bridle and work all of the lateral work building suppleness, responsiveness and again working towards the piaffe and passage. You walk along side with the outside rein coming over the top of the neck, roughly speaking at the top of the slope of the shoulder and the inside rein just in front of you. The whip is carried in the inside rein and held between you and the horse. You then work as if you are on board, starting with walk halt walks, walk small circles and then start with some leg yield.

Ill leave it there for now. Any area that interests you more just shout for more explanation. If you want some visuals of any of the above I have a YouTube channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNm7huL0cr3KfnX5IQ_f6Ow

Have fun!