Supercharge your pony’s straightness with Ros Canter

In training, I like to use simple exercises to help establish the core skills and set my horses up for success. Straightness is one of the scales of training, so it’s really important to work on it. In this feature I’m going to explain why and share two of my favourite exercises that will boost your skills! Let’s go!

Why is straightness important?

If your pony is straight, he will…

• have even weight distribution and develop muscles more evenly
• stay in better balance
• have more impulsion
• be more supple
• have a reduced risk of injury
• be able to perform at his best!

Transferring your skills

The exercises I’m going to share with you are great because they’re suitable for any type of pony, at any level and in any discipline – I even use them with my five-star champ, Lordships Graffalo, to check in on our straightness and controls!

Riding a truly straight line is so much harder than most people think, and while these exercises work on your pony’s straightness, they’ll do wonders for your riding, too. Our job in the saddle is to look one step ahead of what we’re doing, so we can prepare and guide our ponies. Starting with the simple flatwork exercise will help establish your skills so you can practise the system you’ll use when the fences are involved.

Ros’s pro tip

When circling, glance down at your hands – are they level around the turn or are you crossing one hand over your pony’s neck to help him get back onto the correct line and stop his shoulders falling out? If so, try to use your legs to support your pony’s body around the turn a bit more, rather than your reins.

Exercise 1 – Flatwork

You’ll need two dressage boards or skinny poles positioned down the long side or centre line, at least 20m apart.

Step 1:

Start in walk and ride straight down the line over the two boards a few times on both reins. Have a go in trot and even canter when you’re ready.

Step 2:

Add in a circle between the boards to test your accuracy and ability to go from a straight line to a circle and back onto the same line again without a physical barrier such as the fence.

Step 3:

Go back to step one and have a go with your reins in one hand! This might sound super tricky, but if you can do it successfully then it means you have an independent seat and can communicate effectively with your pony without relying on the reins!

Ros’s pro tip

As you turn onto the line, pay attention to where your pony’s body is going using the poles as a guide – does he naturally drift to one side? Before you correct him, ask someone to help analyse your position in case you’re accidentally causing him to drift.

TOP TIP

Stick to walk when riding one-handed and let go of the rein slowly and gently to avoid spooking your pony. If you want to try circling with one hand, take your inside hand off the rein so you can still support your pony’s shoulders with your outside rein.

Ros’s pro tip

If your pony starts to rush or becomes nervous when you put your reins into one hand, get him used to the feeling by lightly releasing your grip at first then work up to moving your hand away completely.

Exercise 2 – Jumping

You’ll need three sets of wings, six poles and four cavaletti (or ground poles) – position each fence two strides (9.4–10m) apart and place two cavaletti in between the jumps, approximately 2.7–3m apart.

Step 1:

Position the fence poles on the ground (adjusting the distances slightly if necessary) and ride through on both reins.

Step 2:

Build the jumps into cross-poles – this will help ensure your pony stays super straight!

Step 3:

Turn the fences into uprights and ride through again, approaching and riding away in different directions to keep your pony listening and disciplined.

Ros’s pro tip

After the last fence, ride straight for a few strides before turning to avoid your pony getting into a habit of drifting. Adding an extra checkpoint, such as a block or fence post, can help you achieve this!

Ros’s pro tip

Once you’re on the line towards the grid, ride with a length of rein that allows you to pick up a small fold but without the need to throw your hands forward in the air. This will help you stay safe and in balance, and your pony will be able to use his body because of the length of rein – ideal!

TOP TIP

This exercise is very physically demanding, so keep the height well below what you normally train or compete at. It’s not about testing scope – the aim is to improve your pony’s agility and responsiveness!

Ros’s pro tip

Always listen to your pony and try to finish on a positive note. It’s better to finish sooner when you’re happy than push for one more go and risk knocking yours or your pony’s confidence.

Ros’s pro tip

Focus on the end of the line and stay straight and tall through your body as your pony travels over the grid. Try to avoid sitting back down in the saddle on landing – a two-point position is best – otherwise you might affect your pony’s balance and rhythm.

Change it up

Don’t worry if you don’t have enough equipment to make this whole grid, there are lots of variations that will provide the same benefits!

You can use poles on the ground instead of cavaletti, or just have two fences rather than three! You can also change the set-up a bit – why not place a cavaletti before the first and after the last fences? Or you could switch the distance to a one-strided double with just one cavaletti between the jumps.

Did you know?

Gridwork helps improve your pony’s spatial awareness.

Foundation focus

Put my all-fun and no-fuss exercises that focus on the basics into practise and soon you and your pony will be performing at your very best! Enjoy!