‘Once the hindleg becomes powerful, the horse will feel lighter and more responsive’

EXERCISE

1 Start by riding your horse into an even contact and pace around the arena.

Once your horse is warmed up, practise upwards and downwards transitions at various points on a circle. The circle keeps the horse engaged and on the correct bend, while also remaining soft and supple. The rider needs to have a strong seat and leg position, independent of a soft hand, and ride with their leg into the hand.

2

Place cones in the corners of the arena and in the centre of the circle. These will help prevent the horse collapsing through the shoulder, therefore cheating and falling in. It keeps them lifted up, alert and focused around the corner.

3

If the horse gets too onward or heavy and low on the straight, a sharp half-halt and slowing the pace when approaching the bend will bring the horse back on its hocks, giving it time to engage the hindleg.

4

I also like to do transitions in the middle of the circle so the horse doesn’t become reliant on the fence to keep balanced. Vary the transitions from trot to canter, walk to canter, canter to trot, or whichever your horse needs to sharpen him up or slow him down.

5

Even altering the tempo of a gait for a few strides using a half-halt can really lighten the contact and re-engage the horse. Once the hindleg becomes powerful, the horse can soften in the back, lift up in front and will in turn feel lighter and more responsive to ride.