Star T Ranch

10/24/2025

08/26/2025

08/26/2025

08/24/2025

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08/17/2025

08/17/2025

Training Tip Tuesday - Riding the square with a twist... literally. This a great lateral work exercise for improving suppleness, engagement and carrying capacity of the hindquarter, lateral mobility and sensitivity to the aids.

This exercise can be placed anywhere in the arena. Here is it shown around "X." It may be easiest to being the exercise at E or B, although it is possible to being at the centerline as well. Let's start at E, begin riding a shoulder in on a short diagonal line toward the centerline. Upon reaching the centerline perform a 1/4 pirouette or turn on the haunches and proceed in travers. Continue switching between haunches in and shoulder in at every 1/4 point of the diamond/square.

This exercise can be ridden in all 3 gaits - although the turn on the haunches or pirouette would be replaced with a corner or turn when ridden in trot. In walk and canter, the turns could be ridden as 1/4 pirouettes.

If your horse is not ready for shoulder in and haunches in, you would try alternating between leg yields to the left and right. That does not have quite the same effect, but would encourage the horse to step under the body and carry more weight behind. It will also improve suppleness.

Enjoy the ride.

04/27/2025

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