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Discussion on Suppling Exercises
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 - 5:00 pm:
I wonder if some of you would share your warm up routine or exercises you use to get your horse supple? I usually ride Monday through Thursday, then my horse is off for the weekend. When I come back each Monday he is very stiff. I could use some ideas on how to get him relaxed and responsive, and perhaps a little quicker than what I am doing. Usually it takes me 45 minutes of riding to get him to soften and listen the way I like him to.
Any help is appreciated!
Linda
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 - 8:10 pm:
Linda are you talking resistance OR stiffness? Not quite sure.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 - 9:09 pm:
Both. I think he enjoys his time off and he would like it to continue. I also think he is physically stiff.
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, Jun 29, 2010 - 11:03 pm:
My routine with Hank when I haven't rode for awhile...like tonight ( been 10 days) this works real well for him.
I take him in the arena starting a couple rounds on a loose rein walk, don't even use the reins, do a passenger walk and let him wander around where he wants for awhile. a couple trot circles, stop, back, turn on the haunches, walk the pole and barrel pattern, working up to cantering them, mixing up poles and barrels,...keeps him thinking and interested, some sidepasses and we hit the "trails" where ever that may take us.
The arena routine may take 10 mins. or half an hour...depends on his mood, but when we leave he is supple and thinking in his right brain
Passenger rides are kind of fun, I found out the last time I rode him in the arena just how much I get in his way and make him "stiff".
I decided to try a passenger canter, Hank was soo funny I was laughing so hard I could hardly stay on. We started cantering and I just let him do what HE wanted, he started running the barrels and half way through he ran over and started doing the poles (VERY WELL) Then took off and did a few more barrels ... in the right pattern. I was quite amazed how well he did them without "my help"
What do you usually do?
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 - 7:30 am:
Hi Linda,
My routine starts with a hand walk in both directions, then from in the saddle, walking on a loose rein for about 5 minutes. I then slowly pick up the reins, still at the walk and ask her to come onto the bit. After that, it somewhat depends on what I am getting. If she is responsive, I'll put her into a forward trot and ask her to stretch down into the bit, both direction and when we get some good stretching over the back, pick her back up and proceed into trot work, with circles, serpentines, transitions and some leg yeilds.
On the days that she is less responsive, I do lots of transitions between walk, halt and trot, including transitions within the gaits. I find that frequently she loosens up and pays more attention on these days if we do some early canter work, again, asking for her to stretch over her back. Frequently after that, I get a much more fluid, forward and responsive trot.
Also, asking for a shoulder in, even if not done well, seems to loosen her up and gets her rounder, straighter and more supple.
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 - 10:33 am:
Forgot to include that after grooming but before I put the saddle on, I ask for stretches: nose to shoulders, nose to hips, and a stretch down to her ankles. I also try to get her to do a 'cat stretch', by pressing my fingernails into the right spot along the midline of her belly, but I rarely seem to get that one right or the desired response...perhaps because it can't be achieved by tempting her with a treat!
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 - 12:36 pm:
My riding always seem to be "in warm up suppling mode" more than training with too many horses not enough time!
I also start with very loose rein wandering around the arena. It loosens me up also; I make sure to relax my hips and lower back, shoulders and do some deep breathing. I exaggerate my hip movement, peddle my feet, all kinds of what is most likely very goofy looking but feels good to my middle aged body.
As others have said they do, I then start picking up a rein, or both reins, asking for softing of the jaw, little "gives." I trot on loose reins at the speed the horse wants unless it's too fast, then start on the sitting jog.
This might be 5 laps each way at the walk, 3 each way at the trot. (I think my arena is 80 x 120)
Then I ask for some fence work believing in warming up before those type of suppling exercises. I am not a dressage trained rider but I guess I am doing shoulder in, butt in, side passes, ;-).
Next I do whatever that specific horse needs; things to lighten up like backing, or things to slow down (Willow is a big pain..ya know Arabs, through up the ol' head and GO!)
I hate to be on the "clock" as I think when riding things take as long as they take. Cody is a bugger who likes to decide when it's time to leave the arena, he'll stop at the gate. Sometimes I agree with him and we head to the woods trail, other times I say no we are not done in here today. I do like to always end with leaving the arena and continuing to ride though because I think they enjoy the reward of going "out" as much as we do.
Also some days it's me being stiff more than the horse, and my stiffness is affecting the horses response.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 30, 2010 - 3:11 pm:
Angie, I know what you mean about you being more stiff than the horse. Me too, and I can tell it affects him.
I have not been starting on a loose rein. I think because I was once told not to let Cutter wander aimlessly about, that he should have direction from me at all times. I have not exactly followed this because I let him loose at the end of our sessions as a reward. I will give it a try at the beginning and see if it helps him relax.
I mainly want to develop something more consistent. Right now, I spend too much time trying to figure out if he is in a spooky mood or not. I tend to begin either too timid, or too commanding. I think if we did the same thing each and every time, it would help us both relax more. At least in theory!
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 1, 2010 - 7:17 am:
Linda,
Even with a loose rein, your horse doesn't have to wander around where he wants to go. Use your legs to guide him.
I have read many times that top level riders develop a warm up routine at home and that when competing, the horse finds comfort in the sameness of that routine and it helps them relax right before entering the competitive ring. So I think your theory is right on. I know that when riding my warm up, I don't really need to think...Sparkles has it down and pretty much changes direction in the same place we always do, with no cues from me. The only potential problem that I can think of is that the horse goes on auto pilot, and stays there as you start to really work. But if relaxation is your goal, I do think developing a routine will go a long way to help.
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Member:
lhenning
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 1, 2010 - 9:56 am:
Well Fran, that is very interesting about the competitors. We know horses like routines but I had no idea the top level people used that to their advantage.
Last night, I tried to let him begin on a loose rein and ended up seeing our problem. We've only recently been riding in the outdoor arena (too wet). I realized the resistance is from Cutter trying to get near the grass along the edges of the fence line. The stinker! I never let him eat while I'm riding, but I guess that didn't stop him from trying. Indoors he moves easily off my leg, but suddenly we were outdoors and he was ignoring me. I assumed (wrongly) that it was all the distractions from horses in the pasture around us. So beginning on a loose rein had a different outcome than I thought, but still proved helpful. Cutter can be such a clown at times  It did not take me long to teach him not to do that, once I understood.
However, the idea of following a set routine sounds like a good way for both of us to overcome some of these jitters we often begin with. I shall put that to use.
Thanks!
Linda
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 1, 2010 - 11:36 pm:
Linda, I like to give HB a good, vigorous, rubdown on his body giving attention to his back and rump, then some brief attention to a few acupressure points. He warms up leaving home on a straight, level trail. First brisk walking, then whatever he feels like doing. I simply ask him to move straight and forward down the trail, no turns just moving forward with good strong steps. If he wants to canter a little, it's OK, but only a little. I only ask that he is moving straight ahead, no wobbling, weaving, just strong steps forward, forward, forward in an open, natural manner. After about 15 minutes or so of this, his coat is damp, his muscles are warm and more stretchable, and it's easier for him to comfortably do whatever I ask. Good straight ahead movement isn't as easy as it sounds, but he isn't stretching anything until he's warm enough to be comfortable.
His mind seems to warm up too, and there's a shift in him as his body and mind start to focus together. His movement gets more fluid, and he's more responsive to my requests.
Diane, what a story about Hank! That's so cute and touching that it almost made me cry.
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