Refresh Your Riding Experience: Gail Greenough's Preferred Post-Hiatus Equine Workouts
In the equestrian world, maintaining a healthy and limber horse is crucial for optimal performance. One exercise that has gained popularity among trainers and riders is the 'Setting Up a Let Go'. This exercise, part of Noelle Floyd's new series 'Reset Your Riding' on NoelleFloyd.com, is designed to keep horses' bodies supple and minds focused.
The 'Setting Up a Let Go' exercise involves bending a horse around an inside leg on a large circle, encouraging the horse to stretch from the dock of their tail to their nose. This is achieved by dropping the inside hand towards the knee, a movement that fosters a well-balanced, active, and focused horse that listens attentively to the rider's hands and legs.
This exercise can be done at the walk, trot, and canter, and is particularly useful for addressing horses that lean in on the inside leg. If a horse resists the leg, it's recommended to use an active leg (tapping on and off motion) instead of squeezing harder.
The 'Setting Up a Let Go' exercise is not just beneficial for improving balance and responsiveness; it also serves as a trust-building exercise. By following the horse's motion with the arm over the rail, the rider demonstrates their confidence and encourages the horse to trust them more.
Interestingly, this exercise is also known as 'zone work', a term used for transition work before rails on the ground. It can be done on the approach to a jump, helping both horse and rider prepare for the upcoming challenge.
In these uncertain times, the 'Setting Up a Let Go' exercise can provide a sense of calm and help riders de-stress during the global pandemic. Each facility may have different rules regarding jumping, so it's essential to follow local guidelines.
It's worth noting that each horse is unique, and some may need to be kept engaged mentally, while others may benefit from a break from the action. The transitions can be mixed up to avoid horse anticipation, and these exercises can be performed at a walk or trot, or even in hand.
The 'Reset Your Riding' series, authored by Noelle Floyd, aims to provide safe, productive exercises for horses that may be green or out of shape, or for riders who are nervous. The exercises in this series require minimal equipment and are adaptable to various levels, making them accessible for everyone.
So, whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, the 'Setting Up a Let Go' exercise is a valuable addition to your equestrian toolkit. Give it a try and enjoy the benefits of a more balanced, responsive, and trusting partnership with your horse.
