The modern world of emojis, where you can describe your life through the medium of tiny animations, seems to be taking over all forms of text communication.
And to celebrate ‘world emoji day’ today (17 July), here we give you a beginner’s guide to life with horses in the ‘language’ of emoji, from trying to explain a disaster on the yard to those days when you feel like a rodeo rider…
1. : The moment you discover your horse has poo-ed in his water bucket.
2. : When your horse has been particularly unhelpful in a schooling session and felt more like a camel than Valegro.
3. : You couldn’t hold one side of your horse on the gallops.
4. : You’ve just walked the course you’re about to have to jump and it’s MASSIVE.
5. : Sometimes you wonder how much healthier your bank account would be if you had taken up bowling instead [see also: ].
6. : When your horse has just performed so bravely and you couldn’t love anything else more in the world right now.
7. : Your horse comes in lame from the field.
8. : Your horse nails the flying-changes you’ve been teaching him.
9. : You can’t catch your horse in from the field ().
10. : When your horse makes you so happy you could cartwheel your way around the yard.
11. : A ‘horse-eating’ pheasant flies out of the hedge just as you’re hacking past — you fall off, horse disappears back to yard and you end up with a sore backside [disclaimer: there is not yet a pheasant emoji, so it had to be the eagle instead].
12. : Today you feel more like a rodeo rider than a dressage rider thanks to your horse’s bucking with the joys of spring.
13. : You’ve turned your horse out to perfection, with the look nicely finished with a slick of hoof oil.
14. : There’s actually no other place on Earth you would rather be than on your horse.
The latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine (29 June 2017) is out now, with a full report and analysis from the Hickstead Derby
The modern world of emojis, where you can describe your life through the medium of tiny animations, seems to be taking over all forms of text communication.
And to celebrate ‘world emoji day’ today (17 July), here we give you a beginner’s guide to life with horses in the ‘language’ of emoji, from trying to explain a disaster on the yard to those days when you feel like a rodeo rider…
1. : The moment you discover your horse has poo-ed in his water bucket.
2. : When your horse has been particularly unhelpful in a schooling session and felt more like a camel than Valegro.
3. : You couldn’t hold one side of your horse on the gallops.
4. : You’ve just walked the course you’re about to have to jump and it’s MASSIVE.
5. : Sometimes you wonder how much healthier your bank account would be if you had taken up bowling instead [see also: ].
6. : When your horse has just performed so bravely and you couldn’t love anything else more in the world right now.
7. : Your horse comes in lame from the field.
8. : Your horse nails the flying-changes you’ve been teaching him.
9. : You can’t catch your horse in from the field ().
10. : When your horse makes you so happy you could cartwheel your way around the yard.
11. : A ‘horse-eating’ pheasant flies out of the hedge just as you’re hacking past — you fall off, horse disappears back to yard and you end up with a sore backside [disclaimer: there is not yet a pheasant emoji, so it had to be the eagle instead].
12. : Today you feel more like a rodeo rider than a dressage rider thanks to your horse’s bucking with the joys of spring.
13. : You’ve turned your horse out to perfection, with the look nicely finished with a slick of hoof oil.
14. : There’s actually no other place on Earth you would rather be than on your horse.
The latest issue of Horse & Hound magazine (29 June 2017) is out now, with a full report and analysis from the Hickstead Derby
Blyth Tait, who has won Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials twice, is sharing his views on this year’s cross-country course exclusively with Horse & Hound readers in today’s magazine (23 August), and in our online videos.
Here are his thoughts on two of the key fences on course…
Land Rover Trout Hatchery (fence 11abcd, 12ab)
This, the main water complex, is going to take a lot of walking so that competitors can work out which of the several options suits them best. There are three pools of water to negotiate and a variety of options testing accuracy, bravery, line, focus and responsiveness to choose between.
There is one route that is obviously the shortest, and those who really want to win will take it. It’s high-risk, but if you want the winner’s cheque you have to accept that you’re going to be pushed out of your comfort zone. Once you have wasted five seconds, you’ve opened the door to someone else.
There will be plenty of mixing and matching of long and short routes here, I think. It’s a clear question, however — I don’t like surprises for horses and, although they need to be accurate, they can read this.
Oliver Townend will be the first into the dressage and out on the four-star cross-country next month
Joules at the Maltings (fence 14abcd)
The straight route here consists of a massive white oxer on a bending five strides to a gigantic, nearly 90°, corner, then four forward strides to another corner. If riders lose momentum over the first corner and have to go on five, the second won’t come up so well. The ground falls away behind the oxer, which requires pace and power.
Horses will need to be very confident and true to their riders, and I can see less experienced combinations choosing the circuitous long route — although those who do need to understand the rules about crossing their tracks in combinations.
Read Blyth Tait’s thoughts on every fence on the cross-country course, plus ratings and his overall impressions, in today’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 30 August). Full Burghley form guide also included in this issue, with vital stats and H&H’s expert assessment of every combination competing.
All racing and point-to-point fixtures have been abandoned until at least Wednesday (13 February) due to the equine flu outbreak.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) will make a decision on Monday as to whether racing can resume on Wednesday, but all meetings are off between now and Tuesday.
“The BHA’s veterinary team has today been in contact with more than 50 trainers and veterinarians to allow it to make an informed assessment of the risk of equine influenza spreading,” said a statement this afternoon (7 February).
“While no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing.”
The BHA spokesman added the disease can take up to three days before signs are visible, meaning it will be Sunday at the earliest before the organisation will have all the information it needs to make a decision.
“This approach will allow samples to be collected and assessed by the Animal Health Trust in order that a fully informed decision can be made on Monday,” he added.
“This may then allow declarations to take place on Tuesday in time for racing on Wednesday, with 24-hour declarations for all fixtures on this day, should racing be able to resume. Declarations for Thursday would revert to the usual procedures.”
“We are grateful to trainers and veterinarians for the rapid flow of information and feedback we have received today,” said the BHA spokesman.
“Because of this, we have been able to make an informed decision earlier than we expected and before we have any test results back from horses from the affected yards that travelled to the three meetings.
“Trainers support a precautionary approach and we thank them for the collaborative manner in which they have worked with us to address this unfolding situation.”
He said the precautionary approach is intended to ensure horses’ health and the control of the virus are put first, avoiding unnecessary risks that might come from returning to racing too quickly.
“We appreciate the impact that this may have on the sport commercially, but disease control in order to mitigate the risk of further disruption to the sport — and safeguard the health andwelfare of our horses — must be a priority,” he added.
“A plan will be constructed for the rescheduling of key races – and those which may provide important opportunities for horses to run – which are lost during this period.
“Separately, as a precaution, all of the trainers who had runners at the fixtures at Wolverhampton, Ludlow and Ayr this week have been informed that their yards have been placed under a temporary hold which means that they will not be able to make any declarations until their horses have been tested and cleared.”
‘It is essential that any horses showing signs of possible equine flu, or horses that might have been in contact
Trainers have been advised to limit the movement of people to and from their yard and put in place biosecurity measures.
In a statement this morning, the British Equestrian Federation said it is “closely monitoring the situation”, adding: “Veterinary experts have advised that it is not necessary to cancel other equine events at this time, but we will issue a further update once the full extent of the outbreak is known.”
An update from the BEF on Thursday evening added it “can confirm that our veterinary advice remains that it is not necessary to cancel other equine events at this time.”
“However we will continue to monitor the situation closely and will issue further updates once the full extent of this outbreak is known,” said the statement.
“We again urge all owners to be vigilant and follow the guidelines set out in our previous statement as a precaution. We recommend owners seek veterinary advice if necessary and ensure that all vaccinations are up to date.”
My name is Alice Haynes, I am 27 and based in the heart of horse racing in Newmarket, Suffolk. I have a pre-training racing yard which helps fund my expensive hobby of eventing, and this year I am your 2019 H&HBadminton Mitsubishi Motors Cup blogger.
I have three horses, (all grey) varying from the new kid on the block, Freddie who is a four-year-old, Hyacint DHI, a seven-year-old competing at novice/CCI2-S, hoping to step up to intermediate later this year; and finally Murph (Slieve Rushen Frank), the fabulous six-year-old Connermara pony who has qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton in the 100 class in around a month’s time (30 April-1 May).
I broke him in as a three-year-old and produced him — he even went novice at the end of last year. He has serious potential and I wish I was a kid again as he would be the dream FEI pony. The phrase ‘not all heroes wear capes’ definitely apply to this pony, although I’m sure a cape would suit him!
There is no better feeling going into a fence knowing even if we are slightly wrong, it is like he says ‘don’t worry mum, I’ve got this!’
Murph stepped up to BE100 level at Horseheath last year, where he produced a double clear and we got our regional final qualification for Badminton. He spent the rest of the year doing five-year-old classes and then went to Weston Park for our regional final attempt, where we finished second and qualified.
At the beginning of each year I set goals for myself and each of the horses. Qualifying for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup was one of my aims last year, and I was thrilled to have done so as it was my last opportunity as I intended to take Hyacint up the levels over the next few years (you have to wait 10 years after your final intermediate run before you can have another go at riding at the Mitsubishi Motors Cup).
I train with Carolyn Watson, who is great for flat work, and also Sharon Hunt, with the odd grilling from Caroline Moore (please see clips from last week in my video). But to be honest, the less work for Murph the better as he likes to be fresh and being based in Newmarket gives me no excuse not to have him flea fit!
Take advantage of our sale on Horse & Hound magazine subscriptions today
My intentions/dream is to be writing a blog in five year’s time as I prepare for my first ‘real’ Badminton! But we will make the most of the experience of this year as a first-timer rider, so please follow my journey for a look at my daily life and how we prepare for the big day and look out for us and cheer us along — you won’t miss a 14.2hh who thinks he is a lot bigger and a jockey who I’m sure will be grinning from ear to ear. Then all I need to do is continue to dream for five years!
Alice
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.
Ros Canter and Allstar B have finished third and fifth at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials the past two years, before going on to take the World Championship title last autumn.
Ros is not riding at Badminton this year because she is expecting her first child, but she visited the venue to share her views on Eric Winter’s cross-country course exclusively with Horse & Hound readers in today’s magazine (25 April), and in our online videos.
Fence 17abc & 18: Mirage Water
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Ros says: “The direct route is over a left-hand corner, on a right-hand curve to jump a wide ditch with running water and on to another left-hand corner. The first corner must be jumped at an angle in order to take the ditch on the left and be successful at finding the line to the second corner. The temptation is to make the first corner too kind and be pushed too far right at the ditch.
“The ditch is not like the man-made, wooden-sided ditches our horses see frequently. Riders should be ready to react to an awkward jump and hold the line to the corner, without being too committed to a stride pattern (it’s likely to be four or five).
“The numbering means riders who take the direct route corner (17ab) are committed to the open ditch (c), but it is possible to make a quick change of plan after the ditch and divert to the long route corner at fence 18. I predict most will go direct at the first corner and ditch, so the long route over another corner (17a) and a rail into the pond (17bc) will be little used.”
Fence 19ab: Nyetimbe Heights
Please be patient while waiting for the video below to load…
Ros says: “Riders need a plan here to make their chosen line as smooth and efficient as possible. In this intense area any awkward jumps will accumulate to knock the horse’s confidence.
“Everyone tackles a brush on top of a mound, then riders pick between the most right-hand skinny (jumped left to right, so away from the direction of the getaway channel) or any one of three skinnies jumped right to left.
“My preference is the second skinny from the left and on this route, riders should jump the brush slightly from left to right, so they are on the required curve. It’s not an easy fence to change your mind at, so if a horse leaves a leg or pecks, riders would be better to try to recover quickly and stick to their plan, rather than trying to pull left to find a route to the right-hand skinny.”
Meet the one-horse owner and her self-produced mare as they prepare for their first five-star
Check out these pictures of Ros walking the course…
Ros and Eric Winter inspect the Savills Staircase (fences 4abc and five).
Ros eyes up the KBIS Bridge (fences 11 and 12).
The distance to the final skinny at the Outlander PHEV Bank (fence 13ab) is unpredictable.
Eric stands on the take-off point at the Hildon Water Pond (fence 15ab) and looks down to Ros, who is standing at the bottom of the drop. A waterfall will run down the back of the fence.
Ros looks at the first corner at the Mirage Pond (fence 17abc and 18).
The world champion checks out the oxer into the Voltaire Design Huntsman’s Close (fence 28ab).
Horses jump two big brushes with ditches in front of them on the way home at the Eclipse Cross Chicane (fence 29ab).
The HorseQuest Quarry (fence 30ab) is the penultimate combination on course.
Read Ros’s thoughts on every fence on the course in today’s Horse & Hound magazine (dated 25 April).
Our full Badminton form guide is in next week’s issue (dated 2 May).
It’s a month today since Irish Olympic event rider Jonty Evans suffered a serious brain injury when he had a fall at Tattersalls riding Cooley Rorkes Drift (Art) — the horse he secured through crowd-funding. With Jonty still unconscious, four-star rider Alice Dunsdon had the idea of riders and connections wearing green — Jonty’s cross-country colours — to show their support for him and so, with website Eventing Worldwide leading the campaign, #WearGreenForJonty was born.
Riders, friends, parents and people connected to equestrianism in every way got into the green spirit last weekend. Here are some of your photos of #WearGreenForJonty…
Linda Robertson’s daughter, Flossie, stencilled green stars on her pony, Ricky
Dot Dot Dash competing with Alison Cartwright at Eland Lodge
Stasi Grosvenor sent in these pictures of her nieces in Australia. On the left is 11-year-old Seanna New at her weekly lesson, while on the right is Shaye Peters, 16, and Grumby the Brumby. Stasi says: “Shaye has autism and only wears purple. I told her the story of Jonty and at her weekly lesson and at pony camp this month in Young Australia she joined in with #WearGreenForJonty”
Andrea Moxey watches her daughter Maddie at Area 9 Horse Trials at West Wilts
Brenda Gallacher’s Cinnamon. Brenda says: “From a good Scots lad to a good Irish lad. We want to see these Irish eyes smiling again”
Eleanor Lunn and Galahad join in the spirit while schooling at home. Eleanor says she’ll definitely be wearing green next time she competes
Emilie Lyons riding Varo Two Chips (Coco)
Pippa Dixon and Barnadarrig Boy competing in the CIC* at Great Witchingham. Picture by Peter Nixon
Emma Wallace rides at Glaslough, Ireland, with a borrowed green numnah
Estelle Turner and Archie enjoy the sun in Frodsham, Cheshire
Frankie Zatouroff on Foxi at Holkham Beach, with her sister, Ella, sporting her Willberry Wonder Pony T-shirt in the background on Pebbles
#WearGreenForJonty details — Nicola Watson’s nails, done by The Beauty Lodge, Julia McQuigg’s shamrock, Janice Hawes’ shirt, Cathy Tapp’s pony, made by a friend, and Alison Coldicott’s wristband
Grania Haigh shows her support with a green T-shirt
Hayley Ward trades pink for green riding a young ex-racehorse at home in Hitchin
Indie Vaughan-Jones and Arrrowmands Diamond on the way to sixth in the CIC* at Great Witchingham. Picture by Peter Nixon
The start team at Offchurch Bury: Janice Hawes, Sue Trim and Jean Jennedy
Jessica Leroy and her Irish thoroughbred Baz at Priory Court Farm taking part in jump cross
Zoe Harris and Fudge head out cross-country schooling
Natalie O’Donnell, 12, sent us this picture of Team Quest team The Island Fling wearing green for Jonty in Stornoway, in the Isle of Lewis
Julia Whittle and Kobito contest the BE80(T) at Offchurch Bury
Katie Barber and Diamond Mine on the way to 10th in the CIC* at Great Witchingham
Thomas Goffe giving Sedgemoor Crispin a kiss before the start of their first one-day event together, Near Dursley in Gloucestershire. Plus here are Rosie Goffe, Thomas Goffe and Daisy Johnson Jones all aboard Stan the Man in Warwickshire
Anna White, 12, at Glaslough Horse Trials in Ireland on Jimmy. “Her contribution to the crowdfunding for Art was Anna’s 12th birthday present, and he is her absolute hero,” says Anna’s mother Lisa
Dom Watson, Albie and mum Lorene Watson at Pony Club Area 13 dressage qualifiers at Eashing, Surrey
Hints of green with team colours at a riding club area qualifier for Louiz Hughes
Lucy Turner says: “Get Ready Freddy (Fred to his friends!) looking distinctly not ready, having a snooze in the shade prior to the BE105 cross-country at Offchurch Bury Horse Trials. But he does have a little green bow to support his buddies Jonty and Art!”
Event rider Clare Chamberlayne is “off games” at the moment, but she took my green painted fingernails to Sparsholt Dressage Festival, where she was acting as dressage commentator for the first time. She was also delighted that her youngest pupil — whose mother lent her the nail polish — not only won her first ever championship but also picked up a green sash!
Marcia Fairless and Melanie Watson fence judging at Chepstow
Nicki Robinson and Gartsherrie before their clear cross-country round in the BE100 at Brightling
Phil Howell and Fence Judgeberry score collecting at West Wilts
Ricki Wischmann and her pony Keira about to go out on a hack in the forest in the the USA. “Jonty is one of my favorite event riders — I wish for his recovery every day,” says Ricki
Samantha Hobbs sports a green headband at Great Witchingham. Picture by Peter Nixon
Sarah Apt Cavalier and her youngster Hugo at Hopetoun in Scotland. Sarah says: “I love the campaign and it’s bringing to light how caring the eventing community really is!I usually wear burgundy so swapped for white with a green hat silk.” Picture by Dave Cameron Photography
Helpers at Chepstow Horse Trials get into the spirit: Elin Stenberg, the pole team, Berry ponies at the fence judge briefing, Jennie Smith, Kevin and Harvey, plus Jack Myszkowski
Sarah Godwin’s family ready for stewarding at the Beaufort branch of the Pony Club mini one-day event
Jemima Gray wearing her signature lime green
Clare Kavanagh in her green cross-country colours
Tory Robbins and Silver Skywalker at Offchurch Bury, competing in their first BE105
Sofia Guarnieri rides Bally Lennon Lola. “Jonty wished me luck for my first one-day event on the Facebook page for Art’s Amazing Family the day he had the accident,” says Sofia.
Susan Williams sent in this picture, saying: “My son was on the Pony Club Talent Pathway Camp at Solihull Riding Club at the weekend and they asked everyone to wear green for Jonty.”
Jonty’s goddaughter Bibi Zijlmans and her family, at showjumping at Moores Farm
Natalie Ireland and her mother Jackie Ireland out on Jackie’s first ever fun ride. Jackie rides 22-year-old Cherokee Brave (number 43), who events and, says Natalie, “donated his four-leaf clover that we found to Jonty and Art last year at Kelsall Hill where they were second in the open intermediate”. Natalie is on her five-year-old Clearbeck Elgar, who was also at his first fun ride
Tamsin Miall and Gloria III head to a cross-country clear inside the time in the CIC* at Great Witchingham. Picture by Peter Nixon
Una Morris and her horse Guiness from Dublin, Ireland. “He is 18 years old, I’ve owned him for 14 of those. Needless to say he will stay with me for the rest of his life too, says Una. “Guin is my Art, that special horse you come across once in your life.”
Aisling Hayes 17, riding John Steadman’s four-year-old Loughehoe Starboy in his first cross-country at Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey International Horse Trials in Co Cork, Ireland. “He doesn’t much like dressage but he completed a test for the first time and was a total rock star over his fences,” says Una Hayes.
Jackie Harvey-Knight, Stephanie Knight and five-year-0ld Elle Harvey-Knight (complete with green hair) at Chepstow
Emma Golding and Lilly in Co Kildare, Ireland. “We’ll be Team Ireland’s representatives at the para World Championships in August,” says Emma. “I met Jonty’s mum Maggie at Cirencester last year when she and Jonty’s stepfather Arthur were there with the Griff tradestand. It was my first British Championships and she was so lovely asking how we got on after each phase. I’m thinking of the whole family.”
Finally, Jonty’s daughter Mia sent us this picture of her and her father — his original green cross-country colours the inspiration for the #WearGreenForJonty campaign. Picture by Lucy Hall
This simple exercise, courtesy of top event rider Francis Whittington (pictured), provides a solid foundation for skinnies and arrowheads
Aim
If the horse understands that he must stay straight, no matter what he is presented with, then you can jump anything. There’s no need to practise repeatedly over arrowheads and skinnies. The trick is to create an angle over a basic fence so the horse develops balance through his shoulder. By teaching him to be straight and even into the contact, you can both work on the precision needed for these more technical fences using a very straightforward jump — without scaring yourselves.
Exercise
1. Set up a simple fence on the centre line of your schooling area, something small and upright but wide. It should be easy, so the horse can work well within his comfort zone and you can both concentrate on staying straight and accurate. Canter down the centre line and over the fence in each direction, aiming for the middle spot each time.
2. Gradually increase the angle of the approach, still aiming for the centre of the fence and controlling the horse’s outside shoulder with your leg. His job is to stay straight in the direction you ride him, so make this clear.
3. With this established, you can begin to ask more questions. Continue to increase the approach angle by increments until you are almost coming across the arena on the diagonal. With practice, you’ll both develop an eye for jumping the fence on an angle.
4. Now aim to start jumping towards the outer edge of the fence. This will give the horse the opportunity to run out, but he should by now understand the requirement to jump.
5. Once you’ve mastered the exercise in the arena, try it over a basic fence when you’re cross-country schooling. It’s something you can practise on your own, without a trainer, and should provide a solid foundation when you do move on to the more demanding technical fences.
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Tips and pitfalls
A run-out in the early stages means going back to square one, so take things steady and don’t be tempted to rush the process. Increase the approach angle over a number of sessions.
Be positive, but aim for accuracy rather than pace.
Stay balanced in the saddle and be confident about jumping straight at your chosen angle, leaving your horse sure which way to go.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
The international showjumper (pictured) talks us through this multi-fence workout which she uses with both her younger and more experienced horses to help them jump a flowing round
The aim
The three main things I consider when riding a showjumping course are time, attention and care. This exercise enables you to practise pushing horses on between lines and bringing them back, getting them to focus. Mistakes are made when horses run on and you no longer have their full concentration, so this helps prevent that.
I call it a “gym layout”, which combines a variety of trotting poles, cavaletti, cross-pole oxers and narrow fillers with guide poles arranged into grids.
It’s a workout I find especially useful with my top horses when I feel they need to leave the floor, but I don’t want to jump them over big fences and put unnecessary strain on their tendons and ligaments.
It’s also something I introduce early on with the youngsters — I make it really easy and just start with poles on the ground. It’s a big help with the canter, particularly as some horses don’t initially have the confidence to canter over fences.
The exercise
It is based around grids, incorporating placing poles, cavaletti and fences on both bounces and longer distances. You can mix and match to suit each horse and I usually introduce a new challenge to a line at least once during the session.
1. To start, set up three or four lines of different fence combinations, one of which might just be trotting poles raised at alternate ends.
2. I start out gently to make sure the horse is understanding the
question. Cavaletti and poles should be falling in the centre of the arc of the horse’s stride or jump. Once the horse is jumping each line correctly, I start to come up with some “gym circuits”.
3. Some of the trickier elements — such as a skinny filler with guide
poles — I might introduce individually, and then add into a grid later on. I like to “skinny train” my showjumpers, as course builders can throw in some surprises.
4. I usually put a cross-pole over at the end of a line or in the middle of a grid, as this help with straightness. V-poles, guide rails and poles as “tunnels” on the floor all help to stop any drifting.
5. I will introduce a bigger fence into a line — at a max of 1.10m — to help keep their concentration.
6. Between lines you can also introduce some exercises on the flat. I like to do a canter to walk transition and then ask the horses to move their hindquarters around 180°, while keeping their shoulders still (turn on the forehand), before going back into canter. It teaches them balance and gets them stepping under. As you move out of the exercise, it emphasises turning from the outside rein.
Tips and pitfalls
Make sure to give plenty of rests as injuries are most likely to occur when a horse is tired.
There will often be lots of long lines and tight turns in an arena set-up, so it’s important to keep control of the horse’s outside shoulder.
If a horse isn’t paying attention, introduce V-poles on the sides of the fences to help.
For much more great content, don’t miss the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine, on sale now (dated 21 February 2019), which features our showjumping special
Sarah Millis (pictured), an international dressage rider, explains how you can improve the quality and rhythm of the trot by training with half-10m circles and shoulder-in
Aim
This exercise is a great way to teach shoulder-in to young horses, but it can help improve and maintain engagement and suppleness at all ages and levels.
With young horses, when teaching shoulder-in, don’t ask for the movement along the entire long side. Instead, use half-circles to encourage the horse to turn and stay supple.
I don’t ask the horse for too much flexion in the shoulder-in initially — I just teach them how to take the correct positioning and learn to come on to three tracks. Otherwise, they learn to bend the neck too much and fall out through the shoulders. This results in them bending just the neck, rather than allowing the inside hindleg to come under to help create bend through the whole body for a true shoulder-in.
Exercise
1. Trot around the short side of the arena on the left rein then, from F to D, ride a half-10m circle left followed by a half-10m circle right to K. Make sure your horse is carrying himself, straight on the centre line and beginning to flex through his ribcage around your inside leg before turning, so he doesn’t fall on to the inside shoulder.
2. At K, go straight into shoulder-in right until the next marker (V in a 20x60m arena or E in a 20x40m) and repeat, so it’s a continuing exercise you can ride from one end of the arena to the other. When starting to position the shoulder-in, think of beginning another circle so you guide the shoulders around, then ask your horse to yield from your inside leg to a steady outside rein. Your outside leg needs to support his outside hindleg so he doesn’t swing the quarters out.
3. During both movements, focus on the rhythm as it is important that the purity of the horse’s gait is not lost, otherwise he’ll become uneven and lose balance. Ride the exercise from one end of the arena to the other so that you are performing the shoulder-in on both reins.
Tips and pitfalls
It’s important to keep focused on maintaining a good, active rhythm in the trot. Always refresh your horse’s forward-thinking mind and active hindleg by riding some lengthened strides or medium trot on the long side or diagonal before repeating, or in between if the horse loses impulsion.
If you don’t have the use of a mirror, it’s important to have someone on the ground videoing from behind and in front so that you can see if you’re staying central over the horse’s back and not slipping to the outside.
If your horse tends to run on down the long side, try asking for some trot-walk-trot transitions. This will encourage him to wait, instead of you hanging on to the front end and riding him from front to back, when he should be working through from behind with an engaged hindleg.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday
: The moment you discover your horse has poo-ed in his water bucket.
: When your horse has been particularly unhelpful in a schooling session and felt more like a camel than Valegro.
: You couldn’t hold one side of your horse on the gallops.
: You’ve just walked the course you’re about to have to jump and it’s MASSIVE.
].
: When your horse has just performed so bravely and you couldn’t love anything else more in the world right now.
: Your horse comes in lame from the field.
: Your horse nails the flying-changes you’ve been teaching him.
: You can’t catch your horse in from the field (
).
: A ‘horse-eating’ pheasant flies out of the hedge just as you’re hacking past — you fall off, horse disappears back to yard and you end up with a sore backside [disclaimer: there is not yet a pheasant emoji, so it had to be the eagle instead].
: Today you feel more like a rodeo rider than a dressage rider thanks to your horse’s bucking with the joys of spring.
: You’ve turned your horse out to perfection, with the look nicely finished with a slick of hoof oil.
: There’s actually no other place on Earth you would rather be than on your horse.
