The different exercises during the beginner's training

Horse owners and riders are sometimes lacking inspiration for beginner training. However, it only takes a little imagination to create simple exercises, effective and fun with the available materials. The whole thing is to work on the basics and gradually create variants respecting the principles of learning the horse.

The goal of basic exercises

Most often, horse riding exercises are done using bowling pins and bars. Nevertheless, these accessories can also be replaced by tires, barrels or branches. The key is to create visual cues for the rider and his mount during the classic exercises such as slalom, eight digit, forest "bowling" or doors.

Overall, beginner drills are designed to work on key points such as direction, curvature, and longitudinal or lateral balance of the horse. It is therefore important to be careful with each pass to properly perform the planned movements. In addition, the rider must be patient throughout the training to avoid rushing the learning of his horse.

Slalom is one of the first essential exercises for beginners. For starters, it's better to just go through all the landmarks (pins, tires, barrels, etc.). In this way, the horse will become familiar with the course and understand what is expected of him. The rider can thus gradually work the change of direction and curvature at the level of each keel.

Gradually increasing the pace, it can also help his horse to work on its lateral balance. Once the horse has understood the exercise, the rider can change the distance between the pins and vary the course (for example, by skipping some pins or passing every other time).

Modify exercises by working simultaneously on different points

Indispensable in the training of beginners, the transitions make it possible to work the longitudinal balance of the equine. Indeed, to be able to chain the transitions, it will have to straighten up and remain attentive to the instructions of the rider for the continuation.

Basically, the exercise involves making a transition to each keel. Concretely, the young horse can, for example, make a transition not / stop to the keel 1, then a step / trot in 2, and a simple step or a stop in 3. It is however very important to think the transitions to the 'advance and try to stick to it to facilitate assimilation.

The eight digit can also work the curvature and direction, as well as lateral balance and transitions. This simple exercise requires the establishment of two pins on the course. The rider must then attempt to make two perfect circles to form the number 8. It is important to keep the horse well curved.

Once he is familiar with the exercise, the rider can begin to introduce other elements such as a change of pace at a specific marker or when moving to the other circle. He can also change the distance between the pins, the way of turning on the track, the pace on each circle, etc.

In any case, the rider must not lose sight of the main objective of these exercises: to promote the horse's assimilation by repetition by avoiding rushing.