05/22/2026
Like other hobbies, sports, and passions, riding and training horses inevitably involves a certain amount of repetition in order to improve. This means a well-designed plan of lessons and exercises is indispensable, both for keeping horse and rider interested in what they're doing together and for advancing their fitness and ability level.
Riders, trainers, and instructors of all disciplines are always looking for ways to keep boredom at bay. The goal of a relaxed and willing horse crosses disciplines. Whether striving toward competitive goals in the show ring or simply enjoying a leisurely trail ride, a horse that is supple in body, relaxed in mind, and light in the hand will be better able to perform, and stay sound and healthy while doing it.
With a horse who can be fizzy or tense, the temptation is often to use pressure on his mouth to keep him contained. However, this resistance or nagging with your rein aid can lead to him ignoring it or hanging on it and, let’s be honest, in a battle of strength your horse is always going to win.
Instead, encourage him to concentrate on where his feet are going and to focus on you for direction, so you can use your leg and seat aids more effectively without having to put pressure on his mouth.
Get his brain working by keeping him busy!
Whether you’re prepping for a dressage test or want to build your flatwork on the best foundation, these exercises will help you and your horse.
Serpentines
Establish working trot and ride some three- and four-loop serpentines across the school on both reins. Varying the number of loops you do on each serpentine will stop him anticipating what you’re going to ask for next, so he’ll have to concentrate. Focus on staying balanced around the turns and use your outside aids to keep your horse from falling out. If he starts to rush, slow the rhythm of your rising, raise your hands slightly to lift his poll and use your leg to encourage him to shift his weight onto his quarters.
Small circles
Start by riding a 15-metre circle in trot at one corner. It’s harder to rush on a circle, so as your horse becomes more balanced and supple, start to shrink the circle down to 10 meters. When you’ve got him balanced on this smaller circle, move off and start to ride more 10-metre circles at each marker, staying on each one until he’s balanced and relaxed. Once you’ve completed one lap of the arena, have a go at this exercise in canter using 15-meter circles, and then ride it on the other rein, too. Your horse will find one side easier than the other, so work on his preferred rein first to build his confidence before switching.
Leg-yield zig-zags
Trot down the three-quarter line. Once you’re straight, ask your horse to leg-yield back out to the track, using your inside leg to push him over and your outside aids to prevent him falling out. When you reach the track, allow him a stride or two to straighten up and rebalance before asking him to leg-yield in the other direction back to the three-quarter line – he may be more resistant to leave the track than travel towards it, so be clear and firm with your aids. Keep the angle of your leg-yield shallow at first, but as you become more proficient, you’ll be able to increase the number of zig-zags you can fit into each long side. Once you’re confident going between the track and the three-quarter line, try travelling between the center line and the three-quarter line, which is more difficult because you don’t have the edge of the arena to support you.
If your horse is unbalanced, he’s more likely to fall in or out on turns or be unable to maintain momentum without you supporting him. Balance is an important part of self-carriage, which is where your horse is able to carry himself correctly without input from you.
Serpentines to the center line
Ride some three- and four-loop serpentines down the arena but only go as far as the center line before looping back to the track. Changing the direction of the bend tests your horse’s balance and helps you stay focused. Because serpentines require you to bend in both directions, you’ll be working both sides of your horse equally.
Shoulder-in
Trot down the long side of the arena. Use your inside rein to flex your horse to the inside, so that his shoulders and forelegs move onto the inside track. Your inside leg helps to create the bend and keep him moving forwards, while your outside leg supports his shoulder. Use your outside rein for additional support and, if you’re attempting shoulder-in for the first time, initially only bring your horse’s shoulders in slightly. Once he understands what you want him to do, you can start to ask for a little more angle.
Riding shapes
In the corner of the arena, ride a demi-volte, finishing on the track. Carry on down the track and smoothly turn into two half 10-metre circles in the middle of the school, so you’re riding an S-shape from one side to the other. When you reach the track again, ride straight, then do another demi-volte so that you end up back on your S-shape. Try this exercise in walk first until you get the hang of it, then give it a go in trot.
To work in a correct outline, your horse needs to learn to shift his weight off his forehand and onto his quarters. This will have the effect of rounding his spine and encouraging him to step under with his hindlegs, rather than balancing on your hands.
Advanced work
Walk to canter transitions
Achieve an active walk that feels compact and together, so that when you ask for an upwards transition your horse is able to step forwards into the canter. Try for a clean transition, without any shuffling or trot strides, and avoid throwing the reins away or tipping your upper body forwards, as this will unbalance your horse. Instead, engage your core muscles, sit tall and bring your outside leg slightly back to ask for canter. After a few distinct canter strides, prepare to transition back down into walk using half-halts. After a few walk strides, canter again.
Simple changes on a figure of eight
Pick up a forward, balanced canter and ride a figure of eight using the whole arena. As you cross the diagonal, ask for a transition forward into walk – heading towards the wall should encourage your horse to back off. After a few clearly-defined walk strides, pick up canter again on the opposite leg so you’re on the correct lead for the next part of your figure of eight. As your horse gets the hang of the exercise, try to reduce the number of walk steps so you’re doing as few as possible between transitions – ideally you want between three and five steps.
Polework
Put out a line of three or four raised poles down the long side of the arena and trot over them, keeping an active, even rhythm. Plan your turn so you’re riding straight before you reach the poles and use your outside leg to make sure your horse doesn’t fall out around the bend. Keep an even pressure on the reins and look up and ahead, rather than at the poles. The raised poles will encourage him to step under his body and take his weight on his haunches. In one half of the school, set out four poles on a 20-meter circle at 90° angles. Circle your horse in trot, focusing on keeping an even and balanced bend. Once you’re comfortable with both sets of poles individually, link them together, so you come over the raised poles onto the circle or out of the circle onto the raised poles.
Dressage figures are not only essential in dressage but also in show jumping. They help guide the horse correctly and maintain its balance, even when obstacles are in the way. Additionally, they strengthen the communication between rider and horse. With dressage figures like voltes, serpentines, and circles, you train your horse's agility and mobility. This is especially important in show jumping, where quick changes of direction are required. So, never underestimate the importance of dressage figures, even if your main focus is on show jumping.
