My horse did something unexpected, but crazy cool after he learned the warm up I’m sharing today. I’ll tell you all about that in a minute.

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WHAT’S YOUR EQUESTRIAN WARM-UP PLAN

When you get on your horse, do you have a riding warm-up plan? 

You should. 

It seems like a simple thing. But the pay off over time for the partnership is huge.

And I confess.

I had no warm-up plan when I started taking dressage lessons from a German Bereiter 20 years ago.  But, I’ve learned that the warm up is a safe zone where you and your horse can get moving.  You take the time to establish a steady rhythm, achieve relaxation, and encourage your horse to seek the bit.

My favorite part of the warm up? 

The positive training atmosphere it creates. My horses love it. 

So, it’s a joy to ride. 

All the other things going on in my life, melt away.  

RIDING WARM-UP PLAN

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Getting back to your riding warm-up plan. I’m sharing a basic warm-up plan I’ve learned that you can adopt or modify for your horse. And you don’t have to be a dressage rider to reap the benefits.

Here are my warm-up notes & figures:  

First,  I get on my horse and walk him in a relaxed manner for five to 10 minutes. It’s a nice relaxed way to start each ride.

TROT WARM-UP EXERCISE

Next, I pick up a posting trot.  I ride three, 20-meter circles traveling from one end of the ring to the other. I focus on creating bend around my inside leg and riding the figures as accurately as possible.

Change reins across the diagonal and repeat the circles in the new direction.

I ride a three-loop serpentine from one end of the ring to the other. I change the bend each time I cross the centerline.

Then I immediately ride a second three-loop serpentine to return to the starting point.

I change reins across the diagonal and repeat the serpentines in the same manner.

Finally, I transition to the walk and change reins across the diagonal. I give my horse a walk break riding around the full arena.

CANTER WARM-UP EXERCISE

Now for the canter work:

First, pick up a trot on a 20-meter circle. And when my horse is relaxed, I strike up a canter.

I stay on a 20-meter circle until I’ve establish a good quality, jumping canter. I use the revolutions of my seat to dictate the rhythm I want from my horse.

When my horse is relaxed, I go once around the full arena keeping the same quality canter.

Next, I change reins across the diagonal and transition to trot at the long side of the arena. Transition to the walk and take a break.

Transition to the trot on a 20-meter circle & repeat the canter work in the new direction.

Transition to the walk and take a break.

This concludes the warm-up portion of my ride. There are some wonderful variations of this warm up that I share in my Ultimate Ride Planner & Journal.  

 

THE CRAZY THING MY HORSE DID AFTER LEARNING THIS RIDING WARM UP

Remember that unexpected thing my horse did?  Meet Spencer.  After he learned this warm up, we usually began each ride with it. Or some variation of it as our training progressed. 

Then one day he started doing it on his own in the pasture!

I had two different barn owners call me to say they were watching him go through the warm up at liberty.  They were both adamant that he was not just trotting around.  He was trotting in the same rhythm and relaxed frame he did under saddle as he worked through the warm-up exercises.  

What made this even more amazing?

Spencer was a horse that dressage did not come easily to.  He is in heaven now, but I have fond memories of our time together and all the lessons he taught me.

TAKEAWAY: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR RIDES

Want to learn how to organize your rides, set your horse up for success, journal observations, jot lesson and clinic notes and exercises,  add warm-up and cool-down exercises and variations, and add arena templates to your riding toolbox that will help your along the way?

Check out the splendid, easy-to-use templates in the Ultimate Ride Planner and Journal today! Start planning and achieving at your riding goals with these printable and/or fillable templates you can use over and over again. This INSTANT digital download includes a total of 37 thoughtfully designed pages with 12 editable templates.   Buy it now.

How have your rides been going lately?  Has your horse done something crazy cool?  Please leave a comment and let me know.  I read each and every comment!

Enjoy Your Warm Up!

Mary Beth