Tag Archives: Dressage Exercises

Horse Jobs

Weekdays or weekends? Part time grooms for two very different yards

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Horse Scout has two wonderful yards looking for part time staff. Dressage specialists Labazordiere Dressage in Surrey are looking for a groom to cover weekday mornings (but are flexible) and in Chiddingfold, also in Surry, Southern Schoolmasters, who specialise in western riding and reining are looking for a groom to cover weekends

Labazordiere Dressage in Bramley, Surrey are looking for either a part or full time groom to join us in their new dressage training yard in Bramley, Surrey. Monday – Friday mornings preferable, but can be relatively flexible on days / times Candidate must be experienced and confident as we have youngsters and stallions. Training can be given. Candidates must be capable of taking occasional sole charge on occasion. This is not Live In position so own car a must. Friendly owners, good atmosphere and beautiful location

Labazordiere Dressage is the exclusive equestrian training centre on the spectacular 1000acre Wintershall Estate in the heart of the Surrey Hills and conveniently located to the nearby town of Godalming. Offering premier Livery, Facilities & Training in the art of Classical Dressage. The Stables are located at the heart of the Estate, surrounded by the pastures and some of the estates many lakes. The boxes are large and airy in an indoor barn complete with automatic water drinkers and with rear windows opening out to wonderful views of the Estate. There is a wash bay as well as a farriers bay within the indoor facility. The tack room is spacious and secure, with a washing machine, hot & cold water and offers tea and coffee facilities. The secluded Arena is nestled within the hills and is a 20m x 60m outdoor with a sand & passada surface for optimum riding with the peaceful outlook over the surrounding pastures and lakes. Exceptional Hacking on the doorstep to enjoy the stunning scenery either up quiet country lanes, across the Surrey Hills, fields and woodlands or within the neighbouring Wentworth Arboretum.

Specialising in the French Classical Dressage methods of training. Jean is a freelance, experienced registered Coach & Instructor and has benefitted from some of the highest classical training in Europe – Trained by and Son of Jacques Papin (student of Maitre Nuno Oliveira and taught to the highest level at the National Equitation School in Saumur). Jean has been a professional rider & trainer in the French National Stud in Rennes, France and has trained horse & rider in classical dressage and for modern competition from beginner levels up to Grand Prix. Nikita Mitson participates in British Dressage competitions and is qualified in Equine Science and Management as well as a Degree in Law with a focus on Equine Law. They collaborated together in England to establish a livery yard to produce horses both for the art of equitation and for modern competition.

Southern Schoolmasters in Chiddingfold, Surrey are looking for a weekend groom. Are you looking for an opportunity to be involved with horses at the weekend and are keen to learn more about Western Riding. then this may well be just up your street.

Southern Schoolmasters ‘Centre of Horsemanship’, run by a professional team offers a range personalised equestrian services, including livery, training, rehabilitation and tuition. The yard is situated Chiddingfold, Surrey, surrounded by acres of farmland. It offers 5 spacious stables, all weather floodlit school, round pen and all year turnout on well-managed grazing. There are miles of off road hacking, wooded bridleways. Southern Schoolmasters provides you and your horse excellent livery and training facilities with knowledgeable care and first hand access to our team’s experience and guidance. The aim is to provide a safe and relaxed environment that welcomes everyone from competition riders to happy hackers who want to learn, and work with their horses in a respectful way. Options are available for full, part or DIY livery as well as training and sales livery.

We are looking to recruit a reliable confident and experienced groom to join our existing team. We are a professional working livery yard with up to 20 full liveries. The position is yard based and all normal duties are required to be performed to a very high standard. The ideal candidate will have a good standard of horsemanship and have a quiet manner around the yard and horses. The candidate will require a basic knowledge of horses, be outgoing, quick thinking have initiative and lots of common sense. Having a keen eye for details, being physically fit and not afraid of hard work is a must . The yard team work on a 4 days on 2 days off rota which includes weekends. Own transport is essential due to early starts and lack of public transport locally.

Horse Breeds

Horse Scouts’ Irish Connection – Top Professionals and horses with an Irish Conncetion listed on Horse Scout

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Horse Scout Blogger was been inspecting our lists for Irish Horses today.  Wow, there are some top Irish horses listed, at stud and for sale on Horse Scout.

The Irish sports horse is evaluated on its genetic performance. This is used as a measure of the ability of all of a horse’s known relatives including parents, full‐and half‐siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. Breeding values based on pedigree alone will be identical for all full siblings, however, when these horses start to compete, their own performances will be used to determine a set of genes and therefore breeding values will change accordingly.

Horse Scout also has Olivers Green an Irish Sports Horse Eventer who upgraded to Intermediate in 2014. Lucca Stubbington, who has a Professional Profile on Horse Scout along with profiles of her string of competition horses, says that Olivers’ best placing was 2nd at Scarva Horse Trials as and that he has had good placings at novice level, which included winning at Finvoy Horse Trials. He will be upgraded to CCI** in 2015, whioch must be a very exciting prospect for her. She lists his breeding as Florida Son x Brockley Green.  At the moment this horse has no connections to others on our site other than his Irish Breeding.

However, Horse Scout, the horse worlds’ answer to LinkedIn offers all our professionals the opportunity follow other professionals and their horses. It is a useful measure of pedigree to see how well horses with similar breeding are performing and by building connections, as with any social media hub, the more connections you building the stronger your profile is in the Horse Scout.

Of course a horses performance can be greatly influenced by its training, its rider and its circumstances. A multitude of things. However horse scout bloger has noticed that the Irish Horse is a popular one in the competitive field.  They are a versatile breed with great performance records in all spheres of horsemanship. The even temperament, durability and power of the Irish Draught, mixed with the speed and athleticism of the Thoroughbred, creates a potent mix which is well up to the demands of modern day competition. World famous for jumping and cross-country ability, this Irish Draught/Thoroughbred cross is not only a top caliber international athlete, but can serve as a perfect novice mount, adeptly boosting the confidence of a lower level rider.

Horse Scout has Honour Cruise – listed as a 16.2hh Irish Sports Horse stallion standing in Malpas, Cheshire with proven Cloverhill bloodlines this lovely dapple grey horse combines an exceptional jumping technique with superb correct movement and conformation. He was selected by Oliver Townend and Nina Barbour from the 2009 Elite 3 yr old sale at Cavan. He combines the very best of Irish bloodlines and has the blood and quality needed to be a top-class athlete. Honour Cruise has a fantastic, trainable temperament. Jumped a double clear in his first event, a BE100, at the end of the 2012 season with Oliver Townend, finishing on his dressage score of 25. In 2013 Honour Cruise completed his first full season, finishing the season with a consistent record at Novice level. Finishing in the top ten on five occasions.

Horse Scout also has a few Irish horses for sale on its lists namely:

Clonkyle Pilgrim in Norfolk at £5,500 Richard Pilgrim describes him as a lovely boy by Rantis Diamond who has hunted in Ireland. In six BS outings has had double clears in his Novice classes. Riochard thinks he would make lovely eventer or show jumper and that he is a horse with potential and would make a great project for someone to bring on. He is very careful over jumps and is competing now He won BN and was second in discovery at Easton colledge in two outings at BS classes on 21 02 2015 British Novice and Discovery 8 .03.15.

and Cappoquin Steel in Dorchester, Dorset, who is extremely eye catching **SERIOUSLY SMART** is how describes Aaron Millar, the international Event rider. He says his lovely 16.2hh, 6y.o. steel grey Irish gelding, with 3 tidy paces and a great attitude, is fast learner, who wants to please. Cappoquin Steel will do a super test and has a bold jump but is still snaffle mouthed and polite to a fence. Schooling well at home he hasn’t put a foot wrong. Very well mannered, a pleasure to have on the yard. Will excel in any discipline, ready to go on and realise full potential.

Professional Rider

Professional Profile – Louis Principe – International rider with an impressive track record!

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Are you looking for a top trainer in Gloucestershire? then International Grand Prix Dressage Rider – Luis Principe may be the man for you. Currently training with Carl Hester Luis is enjoying passing on the considerable knowledge & passion gained over the years to his clients. Based in Cheltenham (Gloucestershire). Luis enjoys training riders and horses from Novice through to Grand prix at his base or Freelancing.

Horse Scout blogger was looking at a video of him training Washington this morning and considering the musculature of this wonderful horse. The pure strength guilt into the base of his neck and the beautiful smooth top line all the say to his tail was so obvious as he piaffed and passaged for Louis. “Training from Novice to Grand Prix level” Louis’ approach to training the horse and/or rider (from Novice to Grand Prix) is a sympathetic calm approach with the welfare of the horse being paramount, and I think you can see this is his horses way of going.

One of the consistent things about a top class dressage horse is the evidence of “Durchlassig” When translated literally this actually means “permeable” Which I love, Germans have a way of using words which make such sense if you think in half pass or shoulder in! The Germans use the word Durchlässigkeit to mean that the horse’s energy and the rider’s aids travel in a continuous circuit without resistance in any part of the body. In English this is referred to as “throughness”; ideal state in which the rider can influence the horse with ease. When the horse is Durchlässig, or through, the half halts can form him into a “beach-ball” shape in which he can be very flexible and elastic. His topline becomes very round and he lifts up under his belly, raises his withers and softens the under-neck muscles without resistance.

Louis moved to the UK in 1999 and commented a few years later on his admiration for the pace at which the British rider trained a horse, allowing the horse to mature into its body and build training incrementally “really focusing on the basics and on getting the horse through the levels in a sympathetic and friendly manner, independently of how long it might take,” he said. He preferred this over the Portuguese’s sometimes hurried approach, in the early 90’s, where there was a temptation to just get the horses to do all the “tricks” as soon as possible… “as it just wasn’t for me to bully horses around,” he stated.

Louis Principe represented Portugal in several CDI’s and BE competitions – Highlights: World Cup Qualifiers, 2 European Dressage Championships, World Cup Finals, Reserve for the 2012 Olympics and the 2014 WEG. Whilst busy competing mainly Internationally Luis has also been establishing his own teaching clientele.. The 2015 European Dressage Championships and the 2016 Olympics are Luis’s main aims for the future.  On his Horse Scout Porfessional Profile he has “ Too many placings at International competitions to mention them all but here are a few”: 2011 – European Dressage Championships Rotterdam – Several placings in CDI’s and the World Cup Series – Several placings in BE events to include a 1st place at Pontispool Intermediate on a score of 24.6 penalties 2012 – Several placings in the World Cup Series – World Cup Finals – Reserve for London Olympics 2013 – European Dressage Championships Herning – Several placings in CDI’s and BE events 2014 – Qatar CDI 5* (placed) – Reserve for the WEG Caen.  That is an impressive record!

Louis goes on to say ‘In the new season I’m looking to bring out “Bueno” a 8 years old Lusitano Stallion (not your typical one) in Grand Prix with the aim being either the European Championships (if he is ready at the time) or the 2015/2016 World Cup Season. We have also a superb 3 years old Stallion that I’ll be aiming at the World Breeding Championships in Verden in the upcoming season 2015”

Louise is based at the BHS approved Studdington Court Farm and can offer tuition at the stud or can travel.  Please contact him here is you would like to talk to him about training or orgainising a clinic with him.

Horses For Sale

Rein-Back – In The End It’s Not About Reversing Its About Going Forwards! How Do I Teach My Horse To Rein-Back?

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Is Horse Scout Blogger all back to front today? No, I promise I am not.  Every movement you ever do on a horse that you are training whether it’s a racehorse, an eventer or a star show pony needs to be moving with forwards in mind…..even in reverse!

Teaching a horse to rein-back starts with good stable manners, and rein-back begins as something learned from the ground.  In the wild a horse would very rarely rein-back, however in a trained horse it has huge benefits. n.b. this is not, necessarily, a movement I would try from the back of a horse that I am buying, but it is always quite useful to watch a horse reversing from the ground before making any decisions.

Here I have six of one and half a dozen of the other – so you don’t half bake your rein back.

What is rein back for?

  1. On a practical level being able to rein-back is very useful when you are riding a horse: opening gates becomes much easier if your horse assists you rather than stands against the gate! Removing yourself from a crowd out hunting or in a warm up arena makes it easy to extricate yourself from potentially explosive situations, and so on.
  2. For the horse it can have several benefits.
  3. It is one of the movements you can use to check you have his full attention.
  4. It also has a benefit in stretching the horse over his back.
  5. In advanced training it shows obedience to the aids
  6. Also when collection is established and combined with transitions it can lend elevation and spring to the onward pace

How do I do it?

  1. Start from the ground.
  2. Start by standing beside your horse just at the front of his shoulder facing backwards. Take hold of his bridle but do not pull back. You are merely stopping him moving forwards.
  3. Make a closed cup with you free hand and place it either side of the point of his shoulder and press with the thumb on the inside of the point, as you feel him react and move away say “back” in a firm but light way.
  4. Do not be tempted to push him back, wait for him to move away from the pressure of your hand and immediately take the pressure off and praise him when he does. Soon you will find he responds to the merest touch to this point. He will also learn to respond to the word or hand as he anticipates the contact.
  5. Continue to use the word back until you are ready to ride the movement.
  6. Be clear in your intention and always use the same voice tone, the same hold on the bridle or headcollar and point and style of contact; otherwise you may find he wrongly cues and starts backing up on incorrect cues.

Move on to riding the movement

  1. As soon It’s a good idea to have someone on the ground to help you when teaching this movement. Hal squarely: establish the halt but do not wait for the energy to dissipate. Make use of the side of the arena fence or wall and have your helper stand beside and just slightly in front of your horse’s outside shoulder.
  2. Next, apply the aids for rein-back: incline your body slightly forward to lighten your seat, take both your legs back behind the girth and squeeze gently while resisting any forward movement with the reins. Do not pull on the reins as this will make your horse stiffen.
  3. While you apply the aids, ask your helper to put a hand on the horse’s chest in the way he has leaned and push him back gently, saying the word “back”. This mirrors the commands taught for handling a horse from the ground and if he has been taught this correctly he will go backwards for your helper. In time he will learn also to associate your ridden aids with stepping calmly back and you can gradually remove the ground actions. Ask your helper to repeat the same command, but without actually touching your horse, then to stand further away, dropping the voice aid and eventually moving away altogether. By this stage you should be able to rein-back solo.
  4. It is important to monitor the quality of your rein-back.  Do not perform them too often or the horse may begin to use this option as a form of evasion.  Always make sure that the movement is measured and has a calm purposeful cadence to it with a definite one two beat and movement behind the saddle.
  5. If your horse begins to scoot or stiffen begin again from the ground but also check that there are no physical problems which may be causing this evasion.
  6. As I said it is best to have a helper on hand.  If you are looking for a trainer near you then check out the Horse Scout Professional Trainers list and find someone to help with your rein back progress.
Dressage

Simulated riding sessions – Stay Sober and Smile. Try Leggless at Quob Stables in Hampshire

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Horse Scout Blogger is bouncing today: Well, I wish I was!  Have you ever thought about perfecting your aids or checking how straight you sit?

I was looking at Daisy Jacksons’ Profile on Horse Scout’s Professional Trainers lists and saw that her pyhsio therapists ‘The Balanced Rider’ had Access to a Horse Simulator.

The simulator The Balanced Rider practice use stands at Quob Stables, a smart Equestrian Centre in Hampshire and they offer sessions on “Legless” (brilliant name) for around £35.00. They say that their Dressage Simulator is fun and comfortable to ride. It is ideal to teach riders of all levels, ages and abilities.

The Interactive Dressage Simulator is the most valuable and realistic instructional aid in dressage. It teaches the rider position and control, it develops technique, skill, muscle memory and confidence. It is possible to complete the test and then play it back on the screen

The Advantages listed for riding a simulator are:

1. For the instructor

  • Close proximity to students when teaching

2. For the rider

  • Safe practice for nervous riders
  • Safe and controlled environment
  • Learn the correct posture in minutes
  • Recover from injury with safe measured steps
  • General fitness

3. For everyone!

  • All weather training

The simulator is the same size as a real horse and its action is very close to the natural feel of a real horse. When riding in the simulated arena, the rider is drawn in to the sensation of actually riding in a real ring.

As a teaching aid to help pin point exactly how to give the aids for new movements or to check that you are applying aids correctly, sitting straight, etc this seems like a gift.  Perhaps it could be a gift for someone you think would benefit from a session with their trainer or one from Quob…I wonder if Daisy Jackson has ever tried it!

Daisy is a professional dressage rider, based in Dorset/Hampshire training her current horse to PSG, competing at Advanced Medium. She was on the GB Junior Squad 2012-2013 with International Grand Prix horse Saint Swithens. She has trained with some impressive professionals herself; squad training with Stephen Clarke and Sandy Phillips, and also top trainers such as Dan Greenwood and Nicola Buchanan. Sshe was selected for the High Performance programme and received training with Olympic riders and international judges including Jennie Loriston-Clarke, Anna Ross Davies and Judy Harvey. Daisy is currently training with Nicola Buchanan, Gareth Hughes and Nicky Barrett. Holds Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence. Training towards UKCC. Available by appointment for training. If you are looking for a trainer in Hampshire contact Nicky here.

for The Balanced Riders practice click here

 

Horse Advice

Lets Look at Leg Yielding – 9 Top Tips to help you make use of this strengthening exercise.

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The aim of leg yielding: To demonstrate the suppleness and lateral responsiveness of the Horse.

Leg-yielding is performed in Working trot in FEI Competitions.

What is looks like

The Horse is almost straight, except for a slight flexion at the poll away from the direction in which it moves, so that the rider is just able to see the eyebrow and nostril on the inside. The inside legs pass and cross in front of the outside legs.

Leg-yielding is preparatory work for more complex movements and is a good first step in strengthening the horses back muscles. It should be included in the training of the horse before it is ready for Collected work. Later on, together with the more advanced shoulder-in movement.

It is the best means of making a horse supple, loose and unconstrained for and a will prepare the horse to move with freedom, elasticity and regularity of its paces bringing lightness and ease in its movements.

Leg yielding can be performed “on the diagonal” in which case the Horse should be as nearly as possible parallel to the long sides of the arena, although the forehand should be slightly in advance of the hindquarters. It can also be performed “along the wall” in which case the Horse should be at an angle of about thirty five (35) degrees to the direction in which he is moving.

How to Execute the Leg Yield (tracking right)

  1. Start in Working Trot, sitting
  2. When approaching the long side, half halt
  3. Shift weight to left seat bone
  4. Apply the left leg behind the girth – actively pushing sideways each time the left hind lifts and starts a forward/sideways step
  5. Right rein guides the direction of travel and prevents bulging of the right shoulder
  6. Right leg continues forward movement and prevents rushing away from the left leg
  7. Apply left rein for slight flexion – this is the last aid and is applied lightly
  8. Straighten and ride forward
  9. Please note that the horse is ridden straight between the reins.

Many variations of this exercise can be used to assist in preparation for more advanced lateral movement. If you are unfamiliar with the leg yield aids, you can practice this exercise at the walk to familiarize yourself with the appropriate application and timing of your aids. This exercise can be executed along the rail or on the inside of the arena as well.

Purpose of the Leg Yield

This movement is the precursor to the shoulder-in and half pass seen in the more advanced tests. The horse should remain supple and relaxed during the execution of this movement.

To supple the horse

To assist with initial straightening for other more advanced movements

Each of the above reasons relates to confirmation of or improvement of the horse’s balance. Half halts can be used as needed so long as appropriate releases and praise are used.

It is also a good exercise in warm up executed with the horse in a long low outline particularly where a horse is broken in the neck and tends to over bend and, therefore, is avoiding coming through along his top line.

Common Errors in Execution

  • Horse does not remain straight
  • Horse leads with hind quarters
  • Rider applies too much inside rein & not enough supporting rein
  • Horse is too steep sideways due to not enough forward driving aids.

 

Dressage

Horse Scout International Listings – Professional livery and training facilities even in Egypt

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Horse Scout International  Listings – Professional livery and training facilities even in Egypt

Are you thinking of visiting Egypt and want to do some riding while you are there, The Stallion Centre sounds wonderful.  Below is a piece taken from their website describing their facilities and where they are situated.

“Stallion Equestrian Center” is a specialised private center for teaching horse back riding at any stage for children & adults. it offers a high standard of training, it aims to develop highly qualified new riders and fulfill all riding disciplines and interests including Beginners Lessons, Dressage Lessons & Jumping Lessons.

The perfect choice for those who love nature, by providing them with the opportunity to observe the great beauty of Sakkara desert, and Wadi el Rayan’s beautiful lakes and desert ,our overnight trips to the old roman village and gold British mine situated between the mountains of Hurghada and other trips to explore the magnificent nature among the mountains of Sharm El Sheikh.

We have started our own horseback-riding dream by building our first private Equestrian Center in Ahmed Orabi. Over the past few years, the owner and trainer, Mr. Mohamed Khalifa, managed to develop a strong foundation with beautiful well trained horses, cozy, comfortable atmosphere, and well equipped stables with modern facilities.

Stallion Equestrian” Center started by establishing it’s first facility located in Ahmed Orabi, Cairo- Ismailia Desert Road with only 8 stables, 1 paddock, a lunging area, and 5 riders. It was known since then to be a very welcoming, safe, and dedicated place for teaching young children the art of horsemanship.

The owner, Mohamed Khalifa comes from a family of horsemen deeply involved in the horse world. He started riding at the age of five in Feroseiah club. Then, by the age of fifteen he joined the Armed Forces show jumping team.

He was one of the pioneers who understood the importance of private centers to the sport. Until the 1990’s all sports were only available in big clubs, where memberships are usually very expensive and hard to get. Then people started to be interested in private centers specialized in specific sports like tennis, bowling, golf, and horseback riding.

Being the pioneers in establishing the first private Equestrian Center specialized only in the equestrian field in Egypt gave us the confidence over the past few years, to develop a strong foundation withbeautiful well trained horses, cozy comfortable atmosphere, and well equipped stables with modern facilities. “Stallion Equestrian Center” is not only for beginner children! Adults as well are offered training at all levels.

Improvements in the center were done by Phases. Phase one we increased the number of stables to 34 second phase we added the Royal Stables , which consists of 13 box, tack room, washing area, separate food storage, trainer residence, grooming box, one lunge and a lightened riding arena. Third phase we added the Arabian Stud, which consist of two stables one for breeding (9 boxes) and the second for raising(8 boxes) including boarding for grooms & storage.

“Stallion Equestrian Center” has become a second home for all its riders. The families love to go there enjoy the sport and the homey environment. They all grew to be a big family celebrating most of their occasions there, with parties and barbecues!

Dressage

Professional Profile – Alison Kenward

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Looking for a Clinic in Oxfordshire? – Alison Kenward

Alison Kenward is a trainer and professional competition rider based in Oxfordshire. She competes her horses Roughway Jack at medium and advanced medium level. Alison is a BHS Stable Manager, Intermediate Instructor and UKCC 3 coach.

A professional Trainer she has 21 years of experience helping riders to develop a partnership with their horse (s). It is important to her that training sessions are enjoyed by both the “athletes” and that every session sees development.

Psssst!….check out Horse Scouts blog on Core Fitness

She runs regular clinics in Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire. There is a varied clinic programme including test riding, riding to music, jumping and pole work. Alison coaches riders of all ages and abilities as well as training horses on the flat and over fences to Medium level Dressage, Novice Horse Trials & Newcomers Showjumping. Alison teaches private lessons lasting 45 minutes and group lessons lasting an hour. Alison also offers complete freestyle design & choreography clinics with Nick Reeve. Alison coaches teams for BD TeamQuest and is helping riders to prepare for the Pet Plan Area Festival series as well as the BD Summer & Winter competitions. Riders are welcome to come to Solitaire HQ for training, overnight and day stabling is available.

Please get in touch to discuss training with Alison and joining the Solitaire Riders Team.

Alison is currently a BD Group 5 rider and trains with Emile Faurie. Her horses are based at a private yard in Warwickshire and are looked after by Alison and her Mother, Helen and is preparing for the BD Summer Season 2015. Good Luck to Alison.

If you are looking for a trainer to help you Alison definitely sounds like a lady who can help.

Horse Advice

Horse Scouts 6 Top Tips – Warming up from the ground

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What is a warm-up? The term ‘warm-up’ accurately describes what happens when we transition the body from a resting state to a state suitable for activity: the muscles are literally ‘warmed up’, receive increased blood and oxygen supply, gain flexibility and therefore reduce stress on tendons and ligaments.

 

A warm-up will also ensure increased oxygen supply to the blood and the elevation of the heart rate from a resting rate to an activity rate. If you warm up your horse gradually—instead of ‘jump-starting’ his heart-rate—you will also have a calmer, more relaxed, and more willing horse.

 

Sufficient warm up before exercise, training, and competition is essential, in order to avoid injury to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Our bodies-rider’s and horse’s-are made up of mostly fluids! Warming up body fuids inside muscles reduces the internal friction of a muscle and therefore prevents injury. Mobility and elasticity of muscles is increased, which minimises the strain on ligaments and tendons.

Avoid muscle spasms, discomfort, stiff gaits and in extreme cases torn muscles or tendons or anxiety and unwillingness to work by warming your horse up properly at the beginning of every ride.

Before you even get your horse out of the stable you can start a warm up routine as part of his preparation to be ridden.

Here are 6 top tips to get that blood flowing; the bonus is that it will help get you warmed up too!

  1. A warm up should always start gently.  Getting the blood to start flowing around the body and warming up the muscles. You can start by grooming your horse, and this has an added benefit of giving you the chance to check for injuries and to ensure that all sweat and mud is removed so that it cannot irritate your horse as he starts work.
  1. Having brushed you horse all over start to concentrate on the back area using a technique similar to a Swedish massage, long light stokes using the warmth of your palm and flicking up and away at the end of the stroke.  Its called “Effleurage” you can see graphics on the internet if you search the word. Basically think of it as ironing out the (metaphorical) wrinkles by moulding your palm around the muscles, as you stoke away you will feel a warmth in your hand and he will be feeling the same warmth in his muscles.
  1. Before mounting him walk him around in circles and ask him to walk forward and backwards too.  This will really help if you have a horse with a cold back.
  2. As these movements will help to warm his back muscles up and increase the
  3. blood flow around his whole body.
  1. Finally, before bitting him up, use carrot stretches to help stretch his topline muscles and engage his core muscles. Make sure he has had time to finish his mouthful before setting off. More on carrot stretches later. As these are also excellent at the end of a ride and your horse will love you for feeding him carrots.

When viewing a horse for sale this crucial step is often left out or rushed because of the time element perhaps the seller is a busy yard owner and has to move on to the next sale or job or where buying privately the seller feels rushed because they don’t want to hold you up.  However this could be an important factor in your final decision and it really is best to allow the horse to fully warm up before you get your first impression of him. Perhaps if you go for a second viewing you could ask to take the horse through a full warm up and that way you could also asses his temperament, stable manners, etc from a relaxed and quiet moment or two together, I am sure that if the seller knows you are a serious purchaser they will allow you to do this.

If you are having a training session or clinic with a professional rider then make sure you build in time to do this initial warm up when you arrive, so there is plenty of time to get ready for the start of your lesson.

Mandy Frost holds Show Jumping Clinics at The Mullacott Centre – Mandy Frost is a BS Accredited UKCC Level 3 Coach and Coach of the Year 2009 and also lead coach for Devon Junior Academy as well as being part of the Excel Coaching Programme. As well as competing Nationally. Cost – group of 3 – £20 per person: two sharing – £30 per person: individual -£60

Lucinda Fredericks  Clinics can be organised outside of eventing season. The cost is £1,000 + VAT plus travel expenses. Clinics can be a mix of flatwork, jumping skills or cross country skills or can concentrate on one discipline and can be a mix of group work and private lessons. If you book a 3 day clinic one night can include a video/Talk/Q&A Session and dinner with Lucinda on one of the nights. Lucinda can offer private lessons to individuals or groups from complete beginners right up to advanced competition riders. Lessons can be undertaken at either at Rosegarth or at external locations for more people by booking a clinic day – Lucinda often travels to local XC courses and equestrian centres to offer tuition to small groups. For lessons on site at Rosegarth please note you will need to bring your own horse with you.  Lucinda has two sessions in in Dorset 18 & 28th February 2015 – Her charges are: Individual lessons – £80 for a 45 minute session: Group lesson with 4 people – £35 each for 1 hour: Group lesson for 6 people – £25 each for 1.5 hours charges subject to VAT

 

 

 

Dressage

5 Work riders with profiles on Horse Scout

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Do you need a hand with your horses?

Here are hard working grooms and work riders who have listings on Horse Scout. If you are looking for someone to help at your stables or with your horse have a look at our Grooms & Work Riders pagesSome of Horse Scouts listed Work Riders and Grooms

Steph Farrar – Sandbach, Cheshire I am a kind, patient and sympathetic rider, specialising in problem horses. I have ridden since the age of four, and loaned and owned horses for many years. I worked with problem horses for around ten years and have had some marked success with a number of troublesome horses, some of which had been deemed ‘unrideable’ by their owners or other riders. From loading worries to spookers to bolshy or aggressive horses, to those are simply young and green, I will try and help. I specialise in jumping, both show jumping and cross country, but am also happy to school in dressage, lungeing, groundwork and join-up/natural horsemanship techniques. If you need a horse or horses exercising, breaking, schooling, competing or problem behaviour resolved. I am based in Cheshire, but will happily cover Staffordshire, Manchester, Derbyshire and more. My rates vary with distance travelled. My references are available upon request. Specialist areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Hunting, Show Jumping, Rehabilitation,

Lizzie Norton – Henstridge – I am a freelance groom based in henstridge, Somerset. I work in the Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire area but willing to travel. Am available for all groom duties from day to day duties, short or long term cover, competition grooming plus able to travel to competitions with you, hunt preparation. Also available for all riding aspects. Specialise in breaking in youngsters, difficult horses, retraining of ex racehorses. Able to meet any need in which you have. Specialst areas – Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dealing, Hunting, Livery – All Types, Show Jumping, Point to Point, Pre-Training Race, Racing – Flat, Racing – Jump, Racing – Dual Purpose, Rehabilitation, Riding Schools, ROR,

Fiona Jopling in Hampshire is a professional groom. She is available and looking for work She is an experienced groom with 20 years expertise. She has a Lorry 7.5 tonne driving license and a valid driving license. She has experience in Backing /Breaking/P2P/ Race horses/exercising youngsters and competition riding (Affiliated) She lists her areas of expertise as Breeding & Stud work, Breaking & Producing, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Pre-Training Race & Rehabilitation

Becky Forte from Bexhill in East Sussex says she has a high standard of turnout and can trim clip etc. she has good client liaison skills and is easy and professional with her clients. In my past life I have worked with horses from the age of 17 including event horses up to Badminton level where I was sole charge groom and show jumpers to international standard. I have BHS Stage II, Pony Club B+ and have XC trained up to Novice level. At home I am competing Novice level dressage and 80cm SJ (I’m not as brave as I was!) I am currently working full time away from horses and have a family. I have been doing the odd weekend/holiday/show week (i.e. Hickstead) cover and really enjoy it. I am happy to travel and hold a full clean UK driving licence. I have not driven a lorry but as I am older (!!) I have the facility on my licence to drive up to 7.5 tonne and would be happy to do this if required. If you are in the South and need occasional help at shows or at home and would like a sensible, experienced animal loving person to help then please feel free to contact me. I can still plait and trim but my clipping is rusty and I would not be confident doing a complicated clip. I feel it is important to be honest about my capabilities. I am not looking for a further career in horses, I just enjoy grooming and would like to attend the odd show/event and/or help someone out if I am able.