tell me your.....

Making insanely wide spreads [triple bars/4 bar/5 bar widths etc].....One thing I can guarantee my neddy will clear easily :p No other horse would I do some of the spreads we do on!

Why - because I don't really like spreads tbh or 'scary' looking fences as I'm a wimp show jumping. But I trust him at anything so like to do something a bit impressive looking time to time!
 
You can do this exercise in any pace. Count how many strides you comfortably put in between the K and H markers (or M and F) then work to add strides or take them out. So for example if you are in an ordinary working canter and you get 10 strides between K and H, I would come round again and try to get 11 or 12, depending upon how experianced the horse is. I would then come again and go for either 8 or 9 strides. This introduces the collected and extended work, and is also a good test for the rider to see if they can regulate the stride length, keeping the same level pace, despite shortening or lengthening it.

You can also do this exercise over 2 poles on the floor and then raise them to 2 small jumps, adding and taking out strides.

Fab exercise as it works for all disciplines!!!!!!!
 
I take 8 Cones and cone out a rectangle using approx a third of the school.

I then start in walk using turns, rein backs, side passes, turns on the forehand etc the idea being that you chose a gap between the cones which is a door that will open but only stay open for a short period of time, you have to get to the open door before it closes (naturally you never make it through the door) using one of the methods above. once you have buttoned it in walk try in trot then in a controlled canter. Then alter your pace between walk, trot and canter

If you really want to test yourself get someone to call out the doors you have to ride towards and the method e.g top left side pass, centre left back up etc.

Why do i use it;

1. Its a fun exercise

2. You have to think quickly

3. You have to have perfect control of pace

4. You have to stay calm and quiet or risk your horse getting pretty over excited

5. You have to have perfect control

6. You have to be very clear in your aids to ensure your horse reacts straight away.

7. The horse keeps interested and concentrated on the constant change of pace and direction.

It is also a good exercise for teaching kids but can get a bit out of control:-)
 
Chavhorse said:
I take 8 Cones and cone out a rectangle using approx a third of the school.

I then start in walk using turns, rein backs, side passes, turns on the forehand etc the idea being that you chose a gap between the cones which is a door that will open but only stay open for a short period of time, you have to get to the open door before it closes (naturally you never make it through the door) using one of the methods above. once you have buttoned it in walk try in trot then in a controlled canter. Then alter your pace between walk, trot and canter

If you really want to test yourself get someone to call out the doors you have to ride towards and the method e.g top left side pass, centre left back up etc.

Why do i use it;

1. Its a fun exercise

2. You have to think quickly

3. You have to have perfect control of pace

4. You have to stay calm and quiet or risk your horse getting pretty over excited

5. You have to have perfect control

6. You have to be very clear in your aids to ensure your horse reacts straight away.

7. The horse keeps interested and concentrated on the constant change of pace and direction.

It is also a good exercise for teaching kids but can get a bit out of control:-)
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do you do this western stlyle? ( i ask 'cos of your sig and its a new exercize to me!)
 
silver zaanif said:
do you do this western stlyle? ( i ask 'cos of your sig and its a new exercize to me!)
Click to expand...

Yes I do do it Western style, but when i went over to the UK recently taught it to my Dressage Diva Sister who now uses it with her youngster to get him concentrating.

You can use any movements you like what you are aiming for is control, pace, instant reaction and clear aids, the small space helps to concentrate the mind.
 
Ok, this is what I call my 'banana exercise'.....

Ridden in trot, say you start off on the right rein.

At A, ride a 20m circle to the right in shoulder in, then at A again, ride a 20m half circle to X, again in shoulder in, then circle left from X, 20m, which will now be shoulder out, when you return to X (via C), complete your 20m circle to A, back into shoulder in.

Then at A, change to haunches in and circle 20m. Then at A again, ride a 20m half circle to X, again haunches in, then circle left from X, 20m, which will now be haunches out, when you return to X (via C), complete your 20m circle to A, back into haunches in.

When you reach A, go large, and change the rein across the diagonal (I like to push on into an extended trot for a bit of a stretch out).

Then repeat the exercise on the other rein from C.

I hope this makes sense. I use it about 10mins into my schooling session, and it really helps to get them working under you and straighten any crookedness. I used to find with my old girl, that even if the shoulder/haunches in/out were a bit skew-iff then it still helped.
 
nikicb said:
Ok, this is what I call my 'banana exercise'.....

Ridden in trot, say you start off on the right rein.

At A, ride a 20m circle to the right in shoulder in, then at A again, ride a 20m half circle to X, again in shoulder in, then circle left from X, 20m, which will now be shoulder out, when you return to X (via C), complete your 20m circle to A, back into shoulder in.

Then at A, change to haunches in and circle 20m. Then at A again, ride a 20m half circle to X, again haunches in, then circle left from X, 20m, which will now be haunches out, when you return to X (via C), complete your 20m circle to A, back into haunches in.

When you reach A, go large, and change the rein across the diagonal (I like to push on into an extended trot for a bit of a stretch out).

Then repeat the exercise on the other rein from C.

I hope this makes sense. I use it about 10mins into my schooling session, and it really helps to get them working under you and straighten any crookedness. I used to find with my old girl, that even if the shoulder/haunches in/out were a bit skew-iff then it still helped.
Click to expand...

I did this one today, great, it really got my young horse thinking , though i found the shoulder in on the cirle hard, but the quaters in was good, it really got him underneath himself and in better self carriage... thankyou:D

any more for any more..?:)
 
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