Warm up advice.

[oldie48]

I always call it "pirates"! I thought it was intentional.

 

[Ratface]

I have always begun riding sessions by walking the horse, preferably on a long rein, for 10-20 minutes before picking up a more focused effort.
If in the school, I always walk in hand, both around the perimeter and across the diagonals. I halt and start, using voice cues. Also request rein back, half turns on the forehand and rear end, and generally try to improve Old Horse's gnats' attention- span to anything that isn't as fast forward as possible.

 

[Ratface]

I always call it "pirates"! I thought it was intentional.

??!

 

[Aperchristmas]

In those circumstances I would probably walk for 10-15 minutes at a fairly decent forward, but not rushed, pace. After that initial period I would consider a loose reined super gentle/shallow leg yield in both directions to encourage a bit of bend & suppleness before popping up into a loose trot or canter depending on which I preferred for the horse. I like to get off their backs for the first canter so they get nice & loose although that does require a sensibleish horse.

 

[millitiger]

Lots of walking in hand, including over poles.
Then once in the saddle, more walking with shoulder in, leg yield, travers etc.

 

[Michen]

I do a minimum of 10 mins walk with the first 5 being the "horses". And a minimum of 10 mins walk to cool down, often I get off and lead in hand for this.

 

[ycbm]

that does require a sensibleish horse.

He couldn't be any sweeter if he was made of chocolate.
.

 

[scats]

I can’t remember where I heard it, but I remember someone saying that the first 5 minutes belongs to the horse. I usually do 10 minutes of walk (though I’m going to increase this to 15 based on the article posted in this thread- thank you!) and the first 5 of that I leave the horse to it.
They must be in front of my leg, but that’s all. I allow them to use that time as they need it.
In the winter I ride straight out of the stable after the girls have been in for about 14 hours. Millie needs more warming up, she’s quite a stuffy horse who doesn’t really open up until 20-25 minutes into a session.

 

[ycbm]

I can’t remember where I heard it, but I remember someone saying that the first 5 minutes belongs to the horse.

I agree with this, and do it, but I don't accept any movement that would be encouraging impingement of the DSPs, he has to carry me, not sit me in a sling.
.