covid challenge #8

​1- 10 minute walk on long rein.

2- Trot and canter warm up with light contact.

3- Flat exercise: - This exercise does not have a specific name and I will not have a video to back it up. It also takes a level of feel. However, do not get discouraged if you are not sure what you feel or don't. The first step to developing your feel is to start to be aware as you try. It will come with many miles in the saddle.

For the exercise ride with a longer rein. You are going to teach your horse to remain straight on a circle himself. Each gait will require a little larger circle. Start at the walk on a smaller circle that will accentuate the issues. If the horse falls in with his inside shoulder do a walking turn on the haunch to the outside or if he wants to lean out of the circle do a walking turn on the haunch to the outside. Show him where to be. Practice until you feel him start to maintain this straightness on his own. The trot and canter will be done with rollbacks, like you worked on yesterday. Stay away from the fence so you can turn either direction. I like this exercise to move the shoulders which loads the haunch as opposed to displacing the hind and loading the shoulders. Play around with it, the horse seem to like the exercise as it is unpredictable.

4- Repeat your pattern again and fix anything that needs it.

5-Jump exercise: I will set up a bending S line with three jumps. (I will try not to forget!) Ride the line 5 strides to 5, then try to do 4 to 4. Both directions. Practice until you feel that you can do them smoothly. Remember, you want to shorten a stride not slow it down. Have fun.

6- 3 minute long trot.

7- Finish with walk around yard.