Schooling secrets

With quite a few ponies to exercise and look after, my flatwork sessions need to be sooo productive! Plus, aimlessly trotting around in circles won’t supercharge your riding skills.

Here are my schooling secrets that will make your rides more fun and interesting for you and your pony!

Secret one: Position check in walk

Before I start asking Panda to bend and stretch in my warm-up, I first think about my position – after all, it influences how he moves, so it’s got to be right!

Task: Walk your pony large around the arena with a loose rein and check in with each part of your body. Focus on sitting evenly in the saddle, engaging your core and using your aids (hands and legs) correctly.

Top tip

Don’t let your pony bend through his neck too much, just enough that his head is no longer straight in front of you and you can see the cheekpieces on his bridle.

Secret two: Bending to the inside on each rein

After Panda has loosened up a bit, I pick up a shorter rein contact and practise changing the bend on each rein.

Task: Start in walk on the outside track and ask your pony to bend his neck to the inside slightly. Press your inside leg against his belly while flexing with your inside rein to encourage him to turn his head slightly. Use your outside rein to prevent him from turning and hold this for a few strides, then straighten him. Try on the other rein and in trot, too, when you’ve got the hang of it.

Top tip

You can do this in all three paces and even try including some transitions – that will be a true test of your pony’s straightness and responsiveness!

Discover more of Harlow’s flatwork secrets in May PONY – out now!