Warming up for Dressage

N

nato

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 February 2015
Messages
959
Visit site
How long do you spend warming up prior to a dressage test? My horse usually takes about 30 minutes to really soften and go nicely, is that too long?

Also, any tips you might have for a dressage warm up would be great!
 
Depends on the horse - for Millie 30 mins is optimum - any more and I overcook her, and any less makes me worry that we're going to run out of time ;)

I think Kira is going to need a lot less to start with, because her concentration span is very short, but the level of work she's doing is pretty low so that's fine.

Try to stick to your usual warm up that you use at home, so you and your horse have some kind of structured plan to get the softness & attentiveness you get in your usual schooling. Remember to ride the kinds of shapes you get in your test, if you are in a very large warm up, otherwise you can find yourself drifting around and then get a shock when you start your test ;) Transitions are useful for getting the horse on your aids and focussed. Other than that, keep your wits about you so you don't bump into anyone else, and enjoy yourself :)
 
Thanks milliepops! I'm still trying to find a warm up that works for me and my horse - the only exercises I know 100% gets her listening and soft are turns on the forehand to 10m circles in walk, and spiralling circles in trot. I also know that outside flexion to leg yield on the long side works too, so I'll try to incorporate that where possible.

Feeling a little nervous as it's only our second dressage test, and it's also my third time towing so lots to be thinking about :)
 
Well, try to concentrate on just having a bit of fun :) You'll be fine! Try to learn your tests really well so that you don't have to worry about that, and I'm sure the towing will be a piece of cake.

Your exercises will be fine in the warm up arena, if that's what works for you then just crack on. Just be aware of where everyone else is when you are doing turn on the forehand and spiralling ;) But concentrate on your horse & how she is responding to you. You might not get it all perfect on the day, but that's fine too - it just gives you something to improve on next time :)
 
Thanks for the encouragement! Yes, that's what I really want, a scoresheet with things that I can work on!
 
I personally don't do too much, but that is what suits my horses - I might spend 5-10 mins in walk, bending leg yielding, and making sure they are moving away from my leg.

I then pick up trot and canter, long and low, I do loads of transitions, literally every half circle, that is what gets mine listening and staying relaxed - probably another 10 mins tops. Then more transitions whilst I am circling the arena.

You want to aim for a mini version of how you warm up at home, also it would depend on whether I was doing one or two tests or whether I was eventing :)

I also like to concentrate on one thing that I would like to improve, whether that be relaxation, crisp transitions, straightness etc - good luck :)
 
Mine does best with a very short warm up. We do a walk/trot/canter on a long rein both to left and right, pick him up and do a few transitions and there you are, ready to roll! He is reasonably successful at BD Novice and Ele, so it really does suit him.
 
Depends on the horse... Fanfare only needed about 10 minutes - quick trot and canter round, a few transitions to get her listening, and then in we went. Genie on the other hand needs a good 30 minutes in the warmup, so depending on distance from lorry to warmup I can be on for a bit longer than that. The first few minutes are just spent walking on a loose rein before I pick her up and we crack on. Having said that, she's your typical mare in that while she usually needs that (and on occasion I've wished for longer!) there are times when I only need 15 minutes, in which case she'll have another walk on a long rein and I pick her up again about 5-10 minutes before the test. Timing when to go in is crucial as well with her - if you are held outside the arena in halt for a while she completely switches off. Perfect entry for me is pretty much trot from warmup into the test arena!
 
I've found that mine seems to benefit from a shorter warmup, although it's taken me a while to hold my nerve and get on later! I also find that at the moment he quite likes a walk on a loose rein or even a stand just before he goes in, another thing that goes against my instinct, but last test out we got on 20 mins before the test and spent most of the duration of the test before ours just stood waiting and he got the best score he's ever got at novice! I think it's a lot of trial and error.
 
Thanks everyone! Ended up having a bit of a disaster, ran late and left only 15 minuted for warm up, she was inattentive and fighting contact, but came out with 63% which considering how she went I was happy enough with! Our first dressage outing so just aiming to improve that score next time!

If anyone has any tips for exercises/warm up that will encourage a more consistent contact it would be much appreciated :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top