EXERCISE 1

To begin a training session, I like to start with an exercise over poles to get into a nice rhythm with my horse. You can never do enough polework. It helps you to develop your eye for a stride without overworking your horse.

Set out three poles with six canter strides between them. Canter over them, ensuring you get six even strides between each pole. Now start changing the number of strides you ask for, so you could aim for a six and a seven, or six and five, or five and seven — any combination to make your horse lengthen and shorten his stride when asked. This exercise is really helpful for a horse who can get out of control as it enables you to get him between your hand and leg and back under control. Also, with it only being poles, it doesn’t matter if you mess up, or if your horse isn’t listening enough. Make sure that you have enough leg on throughout, especially when adding a stride. This will help to get your horse more up and together and stop him dropping the contact.