Lunging Exercise #1

This may seem like a pretty basic lunging exercise, but it really helps to build muscle on any horse, not just a thoroughbred. This will also help him to pay attention and keeps his mind on his task.

What you need:
4 poles.

On a 20m circle, set up the poles directly across from each other in a cross pattern. Lunge your horse. Encourage him with clucks or kisses to really reach with his legs for each pole, rather than settling for a shorter stride approaching. Change the distance of the poles from one another to keep him interested, but keep in mind the distances apart for the canter. Allow one canter stride in between each pole.
Helpful Tip:
Keep lunging sessions, especially when using side reins, short and happy. No more than 20 minutes for a horse in-training. Let him have a long cool down, 10-15 minutes.

Straight Lines and Serpentines

Here's a way to teach your horse how to move straight, even off the railing.

What you need:
6 poles

In groups of two, space the poles evenly across the center of the arena parallel with the short side. The pairs should be just wide enough for your horse to walk and trot between. The space between the poles should allow your horse to make a smooth, bending turn into the next set.

This exercise should be done at at a walk. Start on the wall and turn your horse smoothly into the beginning of the serpentine. walk him between the poles, asking for a change of bend in the middle. Continue to walk to the wall, changing direction and continuing to turn into the next set of poles. As he walks in between the second set of poles ask for a change of bend and continue to walk to the end of the arena. Turn smoothly into the last set of poles and repeat the process.

If he is crooked or nervous, stop him in between the poles at any point. This will teach him to stop straight and not shift his feet. You can also back him up a step (no more than one at first) to help correct any backing problems he may have.

Once he is doing this well at the walk, proceed to the trot. This can be done to both directions and starting from either side of the arena.



When your horse is trotting these correctly, try it at the canter!

Helpful Tip:
When walking through the poles apply both reins and both legs. This makes a chute in your horses mind asking him to step directly behind his front feet with his back feet.

Change Your Horse's Bend

What you need:
3 road cones or other point of focus

Set up the cones so that they are in the center of three connected 15-20 meter circles. Warm your horse up, getting a forward trot with a good rhythm. Put him on a 15-20m circle around one of the end circles. After a few circles change direction and move him onto the next circle in the line. Continue circling until he is again moving forward and bending in the correct direction. Hold the circle a few laps and then change direction onto the final circle. Again, circle until he is moving forward and bending in the correct direction.

As you change direction make sure you ask for a change of bend and continue to ask until he gives it to you!

Helpful Tip:
If your horse is resisting your cues to change his bend turn your entire body to look at his inside hip for a few moments or strides. This will help push your body correctly ask him to bend.