Everything Horse magazine Magazine, October 2014 | Page 45

WELCOME TO OCTOBERS ISSUE If your horse is clipped out, an exercise sheet, which can be fitted around the saddle is ideal as it means that you can remove it without having to remove the saddle. These are ideal for warming up and cooling down your horse after winter riding, however if it is windy, be careful it doesn’t blow around and spook your horse. If your horse uses your schooling sessions as an opportunity to mess around, then you need to plan your time carefully. I would suggest working on lateral work such as leg yield and shoulder-in to get him listening and moving away from your leg and also get him connected from leg to hand. I would incorporate lots of changes of rein and also transitions to get him listening and relaxed over his back. Horses, which are spooky, tend to be tight over their backs and resistant in their contact, so you need to work quietly in order to get them soft and through, otherwise your schooling work will not have the desired effect on his muscles. Concentrate on rhythm and straightness and ensure that he is in front of your leg at all times. If your horse chooses to spook at the same end of the arena each time, then work away from that area until he is listening your aids and concentrating on you, then gradually spiral nearer and nearer until you are able to ride the full length of the arena without the drama. Make sure that you after schooling you cool your horse down correctly, however safety of both you and your horse are important so if this means you cannot stretch him down fully on a long rein because he is still fresh, then I would suggest allowing the hand forward with some stretch, so that if he does decide to play up –you can regain some control quickly! For more information on Jane’s sponsors visit www.dressagedeluxe.co.uk Tuition - Jane Lavington is based in the South-East, but teaches and runs clinics all over the UK. Email: [email protected] October 2014 • Issue 13 • Everything Horse UK Magazine 45