Building On The Basics

Train your horse sympathetically and get those all-important basic building blocks in place, with the help of top dressage rider Zoe Sleigh

- Zoe Sleigh

Training a horse can be extremely rewarding but it is also a big responsibility. It’s these early lessons that will carry him through the rest of his career.

Our equine model, Blue, is a Thoroughbred mare being trained for eventing by Hayley Marsh. Hayley wants some tips from Zoe on how to continue with her horse’s training in the best way.

Once Zoe has watched Hayley and Blue warm up, she notices that the mare is a little wobbly in her way of going, and tends to rush her transitions.

“She looks like she needs to work over her back and build up her topline so that she becomes stronger,” Zoe says.

“However, she has a nice walk and just needs to relax more. We’ll start off in trot and do some circles and shapes to help sharpen her turning aids and build up muscle and strength.”

Hayley starts by circling 20m – at A, in the centre of the arena and at C.

“Think about the shape and size of the circle,” says Zoe.

“Be consistent in the lines you are riding, so your horse learns where you want her to go.”

Blue makes a good job of the circles, so Zoe asks Hayley to ride some three-loop serpentines.

“Keep the size of the loops the same and when you change the direction of the serpentine onto the other rein, make sure you create a new bend with the new inside leg,” she says.

“Also, ensure she reaches the track every time to maintain consistency.”

Stay consistent

Zoe notices Blue is erratic with her head carriage and that she sometimes throws her head in the air to evade the contact.

“Don’t worry about her being inconsistent at this stage,” she says. “Just allow her to stretch down in her neck and find her confidence in that position.