Warming up

[buntybaby]

I was riding in the school with one of our liveries yday for the first time (usually try and ride on my own as our school is only just 20x40m) and have to say was quite appalled by the way he warmed the horse up if it could even be classed as a warm up!!
So this a bout 9am, horse has been in a stable since 4.30pm the previous afternoon, he gets on one lap of the school walking on the buckle then picks horse up in to an outline which I have to say was over bent. Within 10 mins of this he trotting round horse still quite over bent and very soon starts doing very shallow loops down the long in to 10m circles in the corner down both long sides a good 3 or 4 times both reins.
Now at this point I had finished and left quite frankly didnt want to watch anymore!, but can still see some of the arena from the yard and within 5 mins of me leaving he was in canter horse still over bent doing 15m circles transitions etc. Was in the school no longer than 25mins after i left.
Horse isn't that old 9yrs i think and is working elem level but still needs some form of warm up and cool down! Maybe im wrong but i ALWAYS warm up in a stretch in walk trot and canter for a good 15mins before i even think of picking mine up in to any sort of outline and i ALWAYS cool down in a stretch in trot and walk for 10 mins at the end then walk round a couple of times on the buckle if shes worked hard!!
Soo getting to the point! was just wondering what warm up routines you guys use when schooling on the flat at home?? And whether anyone agrees that his 'warm up' isn't really appropriate??

*sorry its a bit long *

 

[bunnereeny]

i would ask any horse to do anything in an outline untill he is stretched and flexed in walk and trot but thats just me

 

[Elbie]

I like to walk, trot, canter, do circles (20m and 10m), serpentines etc all on a "relaxed" rein first. I tend to do a lot of trotting and transitions before starting canter work. I say relaxed rein - I still have a contact etc, just not asking for that outline. Only then will I start to work my horse in an outline. If anything, he needs a bit of time to take in his surroundings! He can be a bit spooky on his own and it's pointless spending the first 15mins asking for him to concentrate when all he wants to do is scope the place out for horse eating monsters.

Watched a master class with Carl Hester couple of years ago and he says he always works in on a long rein to get the horse to stretch out. He seems to be doing ok!