New routine

[snowflake630]

Do you have any suggestions of what I should do differently when I ride in terms of exercises I can do with my horse? Usually we just walk, trot, and canter around the perimeter of the arena. Sometimes I will work on lead changes with him or making circles. I need some new suggestions so that we both won't get bored. Thanks.

[colouredcrazy]

Is hacking an option? if so, I would take him out. Or could you jump, or do polework? I often practise collection/extension and stuff like shoulder in, leg yield, rein back, and a tiny bit of v collected trot (Foxys not really a dressage horse). Or you could lunge/loose school, or take your horse for a walk on the roads. I do all of this with Foxy, and I don't think he's ever bored!

[KarinUS]

How about cavaletti, lateral work, or obstacles of some sort?

[kedwards]

- Vary your figures (half-circles, serpentines, figure-eights).

- Plan precise transitions. For example, transition after a specified number of strides or at certain letters or place-markers (if you don't have letters in the arena).

- Ride specific patterns or "tests," even if it's as simple as just defining a figure with a finish and ending. For example, rather than just trotting a figure 8, plan to walk the first circle, transition to trot right in the center as you change directions for a trot circle in the other direction, and halt square in the middle as you finish the figure. For a tougher version, trot the right circle, canter the left circle, and halt in the center. Or canter the right circle, change leads to canter the left circle, then halt, etc...

- Include ground poles set as trot grids, set up to define figures (e.g., at 4 corners of a circle), or set up like jumping lines.

- Drop your reins and work on getting transitions and turns with seat and legs alone.

- Try some lateral work, such as leg-yielding.

- Do some exercises to improve your seat, balance, or muscle, such as riding in 2-point with your arms straight out to the sides (assuming you already have the riding without reins stuff down enough that your horse will maintain pace without contact) or posting trot without stirrups.

[eventerbabe]

figures of eight, serpentines, jug handles, 10 and 20m circles, lateral work, even maybe try riding a square and doing a turn on the forehand at each corner (a fave of my instructor!) don't just ride round the edge of the school, no wonder you are bored! and its not much fun for the horse.