NHT Magazine Summer 2018

Here is one more exercise to work on:
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Trot a 20m circle.
Make a transition to walk anywhere on the circle, keeping the leg on
and push the hind leg through to the front leg, imagine riding the
hind legs into the space between the front legs.
Don’t forget to use a forward thinking hand – do not block the hind
leg action by pulling on the rein but maintain a good elastic contact.
Walk for 5 steps and then ride forward to trot again.
Repeat this several times around the circle.
Then move on to just 3 walk steps each time and repeat several
times.
Repeating this exercise will help develop an improved trot with greater
impulsion and longitudinal suppleness – you are looking for an increased
moment of suspension where the horse is taking more weight on his
hindquarters, slowing the tempo but maintaining rhythm to ultimately
achieve improved impulsion. This can only happen if he is allowed to lift
under the saddle and lighten the front-end, the contact should lighten a little
– if it becomes heavier then he is balancing on your hand and not taking the
weight on his hind-quarters. If this happens then go back to the earlier
stages of the above exercise and ensure you are not allowing him to
balance on your hand by maintaining a quick and light leg aid into a supple
and forward thinking contact. In simple terms, use your leg to maintain
activity and don’t pull back!
The next steps from here are to develop improved straightness and
ultimately a greater degree of collection through stages five and six of the
scales of training.
Good luck with your homework!
In the next issue…
Scales 5 & 6 - Straightness & Collection
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Once established, continue with the transition to walk but only for
one step this time, repeat this several times around the circle.
Your horse should be getting the idea of what is coming so you can
use this anticipation as an opportunity to refine your aids.
Now start to ride a transition from trot to walk but just before he
walks ride away in trot – repeat this several times.
Trying these
exercises?
Share your pictures
with us on Facebook for a
comment from Tom!
@Northantshorsetradermagazine
Forward thinking hand…
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Use the moment from the ‘almost walk’ to trot to really exaggerate
the push from behind – don’t rush him but keep a light and active leg
aid to encourage a quick and active hind leg action from your horse.
The horse Tom is riding in the photos in this article is called ‘The Good Omen’
(stable name Nemo), he is owned by Jo Holmes-Cole BHSII from Oakham and is
working well at Novice level dressage with good potential to work up the grades.
He can be a bit cheeky and self-opinionated at times and has earned himself the
social media tag #naughtynemo!
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