• TIMING IS EVERYTHING!

    Refine your timing of aids and watch your horse outshine

ACCESS EVERY PART OF YOUR HORSE

We absolutely love this classic exercise from George Williams

George Williams (above) got this exercise from his trainer, who probably received it from his coach. This is the way of great exercises, they get passed along like interesting stories or delicious recipes. There is very little that is new in this old world of dressage.

What I love so much about this exercise is how it incorporates moments of asking with moments of relaxation. Most of the exercise is focused on lateral flexion. I’ve added another element, longitudinal flexion to this wonderful exercise to make it completely dynamic. Combining longitudinal flexion with lateral flexion improves both elements exponentially!

Place this into your daily toolbox!

Become more effective with the application and timing of your aids

Based on George Williams’ “Kindergarten Exercises” to teach effectiveness of various aids.

You can try this exercise in walk, trot or canter, just be sure to give a moment of rest or quiet between each ask. I will explain it in trot.

Post trot on a 20 metre circle. The only thing you need to focus on at this point is the rhythm and line of travel. Don’t worry about your horse’s head or anything else that usually distracts you. Let the exercise do its magic, try your best not to be sucked into your horse’s avoidance techniques.  

Rise on the correct diagonal and feel the rhythm of each down beat. The entire exercise is done on every other down beat. You will ask on a down beat and soften for the next up, down and up portion of the rising trot.  

Repeat the exercise for 12 strides or ask 6 times, rest or be quiet before focusing on a different part of the horse. I like to say 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 on every other down beat to help me know how many times I’ve asked.

So, let’s begin…

These steps are simple and methodical. Be sure to read thoroughly, and go step-by-step.

Well worth the effort!

Add these exercises to your warmups

This allows both of you to re-aquaint each other to the basic aids you will be using throughout the ride. When the aids are automatic, just choose what you need out of the exercise.