Transitions – as Olympic dressage rider Becky Moody always emphasises – are the most important part of daily training, whatever pace you are working in. This flatwork exercise incorporates rein-back as well as transitions to increase the difficulty level.

It improves your horse’s balance, engaging the hindquarters to carry more weight while lifting the core. Rein-back is also useful for testing your horse’s response to the rider’s correct seat, leg and hand aids.

We may think that we can’t make much progress in walk, but this is a great exercise that really helps develop your horse’s way of going and your own riding skills. Furthermore, it can be done in an arena or out hacking, and is useful when the ground is hard or your horse is perhaps older or lacking fitness but still needs stimulating work.

Aims

• Improve responsiveness
• Develop balance and straightness
• Hone rider’s coordination

The setup

No setup required. You can do this exercise in a field or an arena.

How to ride this exercise

• Establish an active walk in a straight line, concentrating on your position as a rider – your posture, straightness, soft hands and weight in the heels.
• Count approximately eight steps of walk, then halt for five seconds, squeezing the rein and legs, while sitting tall so that the horse steps into the contact. How early you have to prepare will depend on your connection with your horse.
• Analyse your halt – is it square? Did you horse respond when you gave the aids?
• Ask your horse to go forward to walk for eight steps and halt again.
• Now, rein-back for four steps or as much as is comfortable for your stage in training – pressing with the inner thigh, keeping your abs tight and gently half-halting, softening as soon as he responds.
• Analyse your rein-back as you go. Does your horse move straight back with his legs in diagonal pairs? Does he remain soft and consistent in his outline or resist?
• Go straight back into walk and go large.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Level up

If you are working in an arena, you can start this exercise alongside the fence (or out hacking along a hedgerow). This will help keep your horse straight.

Next, try it on the centre line without any fence keeping him from swinging quarters out or in. Concentrate on maintaining a straight line both in the walk, through the halt and the rein-back.

When you can do this exercise easily, vary the number of steps in walk and rein-back. Be strict with yourself on achieving however many strides you decide so that you don’t drift.

2. Poor halt

Preparation is paramount. If your horse is late to halt, prepare earlier and give clearer aids.

If he halts crookedly, analyse your own position: are you sitting with your weight on both seatbones, with your hands level? Visualise keeping your horse’s shoulders and quarters aligned, rather than forcing the head straight with the reins.

Use the arena fence to help keep you straight.

3. Poor rein-back

If your horse is new to rein-back, try teaching him rein-back from the ground first. When ridden, start by asking for just one step and immediately release and praise him.

Again, this is easiest to attempt initially at the side of the arena, using the fence as a natural barrier. You could also set up some poles to ride between.

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Counter-canter is useful for developing balance, straightness, strength and obedience to the aids. While it also appears as a movement in dressage tests as you progress up the levels (from novice in pure dressage, and in eventing), it’s also very effective for improving the overall canter quality and self-carriage.

However, when you first introduce your horse to counter-canter, like any new move, it’s best to take baby steps.

This teardrop shaped is handy for teaching a few strides of counter-canter in an unpressurised, simple way, so your horse can gain strength and understand of the aids before progressing to more demanding flatwork exercises.

Aim

• To achieve a few strides of counter-canter while maintaining straightness and balance.

The setup

No setup required. You can do this exercise in an arena of field, but if using the latter it’s best to mark out an arena with boards or poles to help you stay disciplined regarding straight lines and circle sizes.

How to ride this exercise

• Warm up in walk, trot and canter on both reins, including doing circles of various sizes. This spiral circle exercise can improve engagement and balance on a smaller circle.
• Pick up an active canter, and go large on the left rein. At the short end of the arena, ride a 15m half circle.
• At the end of the half-circle, take a diagonal line back to the track, thereby changing the rein. Keep control of your horse’s shoulders, and maintain your leg aids for left canter, so that your horse doesn’t drift or anticipate a flying change.
• Maintain counter-canter for a few strides on a straight line, making a transition to trot before the corner. The canter should feel of the same quality and balance, not losing rhythm.
• Repeat on the other rein.
• Next, try the same exercise but with a 10m half-circle. This will require greater collection and rebalance for the smaller circle, and give room for more strides of counter-canter on returning to the track.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Circle size

If the circle is too tight, your horse may lose balance or fall out through the shoulder. You want to go into counter-canter in good balance and maintain those quality steps, so make the circle size relative to your horse’s suppleness. You can make it tighter as your horse develops.

2. Anticipating the change

Some horses are so used to changing leads automatically, they may swap as soon as you turn back towards the track. Work on establishing a quality, balanced canter, and maintain your aids for the leading leg.

For example, if starting on the left lead, the rider’s left leg is on the girth, right leg just behind, with poll flexion slightly to the left – which will be slightly to the outside in counter-canter.

3. Level up

If you horse is doing the teardrop easily and confidently, try maintaining counter-canter through the corner, and eventually into a figure-of-eight. However, if your horse breaks into trot, loses rhythm, changes or goes disunited, take it back a step. Re-establish a quality canter, and try again. The priority is canter quality not completing the pattern.

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Adult riding camps – have you ever thought about attending one?

Perhaps you went to Pony Club camp when you were younger or maybe you fancy a UK horse riding holiday with some added dressage training. Or is going to camp on your horsey bucket list?

Whether you’re thinking of some horsey time away to help smash training goals or simply a break with like-minded people, adult riding camps offer many possibilities.

Jump to...

• What are adult riding camps?
• Who are adult riding camps for?
• Do I need to have my own horse?
• What to expect
• Packing checklist

What are adult riding camps?

Adult riding camps are residential trips with your horse and last anywhere from a couple of days to a week or more.

They usually take place at an equestrian centre that has facilities beyond simply an arena and jumps on offer. These facilities might include a horse simulator, cross-country course or gallops. Alternatively, the centre might have great things on offer locally, like beach riding or a forest with extensive off-road hacking.

Depending on where the camp is and how much it costs, accommodation might be provided or there might be a field for camping. Meals are usually included in the price.

Who are adult riding camps for?

Simply put, they are for everyone. However, it’s definitely worth finding the right one for you with a bit of research.

For example, you can find camps geared towards:

• confidence and mindset
• general training
• discipline-specific training
• new skills, such as groundwork or liberty
• Western equestrian sports

Do I need to have my own horse?

In short, no! Adult riding camps based at riding schools frequently have horses available for those who don’t have one.

Depending on where you’d like to go and your experience level, there are options available for anyone from a beginner to someone ready to take on high-level dressage movements with a schoolmaster.

If you do have a horse, however, there is plenty of choice when it comes to adult riding camps.

What to expect at an adult riding camp

Jessica Jackson and her 19-year-old Irish sports pony, Bonnie, are riding camp veterans.

“I typically attend one or two a year all over the country,” she tells H&H. “For some I went with friends; others I braved alone.”

Jessica says camps are a great way to bond with your horse, meet like-minded people and challenge yourself.

“You become completely consumed by horses while gaining invaluable knowledge from experienced coaches in a supportive environment.”

In addition, camps offer Jessica a way to switch off.

“My favourite thing about them is the mental escape they gives me, with uninterrupted time to focus on myself, my riding and to strengthen my partnership with Bonnie.”

Jessica also tells us how riding camps have evolved over the years.

“They’re no longer just about time in the saddle, but improving from a more holistic standpoint. Nowadays, many camps often incorporate activities such as Pilates, mindfulness talks, wellbeing sessions, team-building games, sports massages and even mechanical horse sessions.”

Some camps also have talks and demos from equine professionals, such as nutritionists who might bring a weigh bridge to weigh your horse, for example.

Jessica’s advice for would-be adult riding camp attendees is to do your research before booking. “Start by looking at the venue’s location and facilities. Do they suit your requirements, goals and expectations?

“Check out the camp itinerary and ensure it is appropriate. Are you looking to improve a particular discipline? Enjoy a relaxing getaway? Or set a challenge in a new environment?”

Jessica also suggests looking into the coaches. “Their experience, teaching style and areas of expertise should align with what you want to achieve.”

Finally, Jessica suggests making sure the facilities are suitable for you and your horse.

“Do they provide turnout? Stabling options? Check out what accommodation and amenities are available for riders too. Some camps offer an all-inclusive package, while others will require you to bring your own bedding, for example, more like DIY.”

Preparing for your first camp

“At your first riding camp, expect to challenge yourself, learn a lot and have plenty of fun!” says Jessica. “From experience, they all offer a supportive, friendly and relaxed environment where riders and horses are encouraged to develop and progress at their own pace.”

Jessica adds that camps can be physically demanding with multiple sessions each day. “Make sure you and your horse are fit enough to make the most of the experience.”

Jessica also states the importance of going with an open mind. “Be willing to step out of your comfort zone, embrace the opportunity to learn, make new friends and try new things. Book the camp – you won’t regret it!”

Horse camp checklist

Wondering what you might need for a camp? Here is what you should consider:

For your horse

• passport
• tack – saddle, bridle, martingale or breastplate (if you need one) and his girth
• a saddle pad, plus spares so you always have a dry clean one
• protective boots, such as brushing boots or overreach boots
• hi-vis for hacking
• headcollar and leadrope
• any rugs currently in use
• a fly mask (if using)
• enough forage (unless supplied), feed and supplements for the duration
• bedding (if stabling and not supplied)
• water carrier (like this one, for the journey and to put in your wheelbarrow to save lugging buckets)
• feed and wash-down buckets
• haynets
• any licks or treats you use daily
• grooming kit
• first-aid kits, including relevant medication, creams and ointments
• everything on your normal travel kit checklist

For you

• riding hat
• riding boots
• body protector
• air jacket (if you have one)
• riding tights and/or breeches
• riding tops, with extras so you always have clean, dry one
• long riding socks
• lightweight waterproof jacket
• warm layers or a riding robe
• enough pairs of underwear
• toiletries
• a torch
• towels
• your phone charger
• a power bank
• personal first aid/medication

If you’re camping, you’ll also need:

• tent
• sleeping bag
• sleeping mat
• pillow
• camping light
• portable camping fan (if it is likely to be hot)
• plastic crockery and cutlery
• sit mat or picnic blanket
• camping table and chair
• camping stove, kettle and cooking implements (depending on your camp setup)

• For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Equestrians are calling for the Highway Code to be amended to make rider hand signals to drivers clear – as there is disagreement on what they mean.

Kelly Westgate’s Government petition asks for pictorial representation in the code of how riders ask drivers to slow down, as “the current advice could cause dangerous confusion”.

Ms Westgate told H&H the misunderstanding became clear after she shared a video on social media of her 10-year-old daughter Mia hacking out, explaining to drivers that if she raises and lowers her outstretched arm, it is a request to drivers to slow down.

“When we’re out, we get loads of people waving back or completely ignoring us,” she said.

“But when we posted the video on TikTok, there were lots of comments saying, ‘No, that means you’re slowing down.’ It generated debate and it made me look into it.”

Ms Westgate realised that although the Highway Code, which was updated in 2022 to feature more specific guidance on passing horses, states: “Look out for horse riders’ and horse drivers’ signals and heed a request to slow down or stop.”

Rider signal picture confusion

But the code neither describes nor pictures the up-and-down motion riders use for this request, as backed by police forces and the British Horse Society (BHS) But it does picture arm signals used by motorcyclists, for whom the same action does mean “I am slowing down”.

“It’s a contradictory element in the Highway Code,” Ms Westgate said. “It seems a bit daft; the BHS videos, mounted police videos, all riders use that signal to ask to slow down but it gets ignored.

“The code mentions rider signals asking you to slow down but then shows the signal people give to say they are slowing down, so what signal are they looking for? What do we need to do to get them to slow down? I know the Highway Code isn’t up for review again so this is an ongoing battle.”

Sign the petition

BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox told H&H that Ms Westgate is “right to point this out” and that he supports her; he has raised the issue with the Government department for transport (DfT) previously.

“The Highway Code has the picture of the motorcyclist and a bit of wording that says ‘also for use by pedal cyclists and those in charge of horses’,” he said.

“There’s obviously a bit of confusion there, but what I think – and I’ve brought this up with the DfT several times but haven’t got anywhere and it’s still on my to-do list with them – is that if they just take out the words ‘and those in charge of horses’, that will clear up any confusion.”

But, Mr Hiscox added, he hopes that the rider’s real meaning, if they give the signal, is being communicated to new drivers.

“We give presentations to driving instructors and one of the questions I put to them is, ‘If you saw a horse rider giving this signal, what does that mean to you?’ and all the driving instructors have said, ‘That means they want us to slow down,’” he said.

Asked by H&H about this specific issue, a DfT spokesperson cited road safety measures taken by the Government, including the updating of the Highway Code in 2022 and the publication this year of the national road safety strategy – in which equestrians have been “largely overlooked” as reported by H&H (news, 15 January).

“The safety of all road users is a top priority for the Government and we are committed to reducing the numbers of those killed and injured on our roads,” the spokesperson said.

“The Highway Code includes the hierarchy of road users, which identifies horse riders among the most vulnerable, with strengthened guidance on safe passing distances and speeds when overtaking horse riders.”

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Struggling to work out what to pack for Pony Club camp? You don’t want your child to be missing anything, but you don’t want to send them with everything but the kitchen sink, either. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of time to prepare and plug any gaps in your kit.

Your Pony Club may have a specific list tailored to their camp, but between the team at H&H, we’ve got many Pony Club camps under our belt – both as children and as parents – so we’re here with plenty of advice and ideas. Our top tip – make sure absolutely everything is named.

Pony Club camp packing list

Because the quintessential Pony Club camp packing list is rather long, we’re going to break it down into categories. We’ll start with the thing you definitely don’t want to leave at home – your pony!

Tack and horsewear

• saddle
• bridle
• neck strap
• martingale (if using)
• girth
• stirrups and leathers
• saddle cloths or numnahs in your branch or centre’s permitted colours – take more than one in case they get dirty or sweaty
• any legwear your pony uses, such as overreach boots, brushing boots or tendon boots
• stud kit (if used)
• headcollar and leadrope
• tail and stable bandages
• tack cleaning equipment, like saddle soap and a sponge
• all your travel kit, to get your pony there in the first place

Pony care

First and foremost, check with your branch or centre about whether they will provide bedding that is suitable for your pony. If not, make sure to pack your own.

Also, check what your pony’s living arrangements will be. Will he be living out, and do you need to bring some electric fencing? Will you have access to a stable? Find out in advance so you can prepare.

You’ll want your own of most things, but you might be able to team up with other campers when it comes to the big items, such as wheelbarrows.

• enough of your pony’s hay/haylage, feed and supplements to last the duration of camp
• feed bin (like this one)
• buckets for water and feed
• haynets
• wheelbarrow, large trug or garden bag (like this one) for mucking out
• mucking out tools
• grooming kit with all your brushes
• sweat scraper and sponge
• stud kit, if needed
• your best horse shampoo
• fly spray
• horse sun cream, if needed
• other grooming sprays if you use them, like mane and tail detangler or stain remover
• rugs, such as a cooler or fly rug and fly mask if needed

Rider kit

If you plan to stay overnight, pack accordingly for your accommodation. You may want a warm layer or two if you are camping!

• Pony Club sweatshirt
• Pony Club tie
• white shirts
• a few pairs of jodhpurs or riding tights (usually beige, black or navy, check your branch or centre’s rules)
• tweed or show jacket (if needed)
• plenty of riding socks and underwear
• riding boots, either long or short with jodhpur clips or chaps/gaiters
• hairnet and scrunchie (if needed)
• riding gloves
• whip
• up-to-standard and tagged riding hat
• up-to-standard body protector
• casual tops and bottoms for off-horse activities
• coveralls or waterproof trousers for mucking out
• stout boots or wellies for the yard
• trainers or comfy shoes for off the yard
• sun hat
• waterproof coat
• pyjamas

Other essentials

• toiletries
• sun lotion
• insect repellent
• prescription medication (if used)
• pillow and sleeping bag
• camp bed (like this one, if needed) or airbed
• towels
• plate, mug and cutlery for mealtimes (if needed)
• boot cleaning equipment
• notebook and pen
• Pony Club Manual of Horsemanship
• water bottle
• small personal first aid kit
• torch
• watch or alarm clock

Extras

• pack of cards
• book to read (check out the best horse books for kids)
• torch
• small amount of money for tuck
• hand sanitiser
• hair bobbles
• swimming kit, if required
• portable fan, for you or your pony if it’s hot
• portable power bank (like this one)

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You might also like:

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Young, weak or unbalanced horses sometimes pick up canter on the incorrect lead. Over time, this has potential to become a habit.

Thankfully, there’s a simple flatwork exercise that requires you to ride a few steps of leg-yield to help your horse pick up the correct canter lead.

Aims

• Correct your horse’s flexion
• Connect the horse into the outside rein
• Improve the canter transition

The setup

You need: a 20x40m or 20x60m arena

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, turn onto the three-quarter line in trot.
• As you pass X, begin to leg-yield to the track. You can sit or rise, depending on what’s best for your horse. Aim to hit the track just after the corner marker.
• Ask for canter as you reach the track going into the corner.

Things to note

1. Avoid over-flexing

When ridden correctly, your horse should show slight flexion away from the direction of travel. Too much flexion often leads to the shoulders leading, and often means the horse drifts rather than crossing the legs.

However, ensure you maintain the flexion, and the connection into the outside rein, into the corner. Alongside balancing him, this is what helps set your horse up to lead with the inside leg in the canter.

2. Ensure your horse’s body is straight

While the shoulders should be slightly in advance of the quarters, they should not be dramatically so. Likewise, the hindquarters should not lead.

3. Maintain the rhythm

Look to maintain the same trot you had while riding large up the three-quarter line and throughout the leg-yield.

Some horses lose their engine in leg-yield, dropping behind the bit, while others might rush forward and away from your inside leg aid.

Ultimately, the contact and rhythm should be consistent. You may need to adjust your aids to help maintain them, or remain in a rising trot to help keep to a regular rhythm.

Want more ideas? Check out our full library of daily training inspiration

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The fight to keep horses safe from dog attacks goes on – as the Government has confirmed that tougher legislation to deal with worrying animals does not cover ridden or driven horses.

H&H reported that the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act, which came into force this year, gave police more powers to deal with – and the option of more serious punishments – for livestock worrying, and that this includes horses.

But some in the industry had concerns that it did not go far enough. And Defra has now confirmed that although the law covers horses on roads and paths to be moved between fields, this “does not extend to ridden horses”, on or off the road.

Victoria Privett, co-founder of the Leash & Release campaign that aims to educate dog owners and protect other people and animals from dog attacks, told H&H she and co-founder Katie Smart contacted Defra last autumn.

“They’ve now come back to say the protection given by the act doesn’t automatically apply to ridden horses in public spaces,” she said.

“We’re very grateful to Defra for clarifying but my fear was that horses would fall through the gaps again, and we have. The most vulnerable time for horses and riders is when they’re riding in public.”

Ms Smart and Ms Privett said that, as it has to H&H, Defra has referred to the Dangerous Dogs Act as another law under which horses may be protected. But the relevant section of this law says it is an offence if an out-of-control dog “injures any person or assistance dog”, with no mention of horses or any other animal.

Leash & Release is now targeting an update of this law as the next step.

Dog attacks: ridden horses and other animals need protection

“We need a petition to amend this section to cover horses and all pets, including other dogs,” Ms Privett said. “People have contacted us as their dogs have been attacked, and they’re not covered either. There are lots of loopholes, and places where the police aren’t even clear.”

This petition, and a call to contact MPs, will not be started until the country’s governance is clear; the campaigners will wait until the next prime minister is in place with no chance of an imminent general election, as these mean all petitions are closed.

“Then we’ll do that, because we know the community will support us,” Ms Privett said. “Not just the equestrian community, the dog community, the pet owners, and hopefully we can get more of an aligned response.”

Solicitor Hannah Bradley, of Aria Grace Law, told H&H that although the act refers to horses, “it is clear they fall awkwardly in that they are often not farmed livestock in the traditional sense, and they are used more often for leisure purposes”.

“The frequency with which horses and their owners suffer from dog attacks, and the difficult emotional and financial circumstances caused by them, warrant serious consideration to creating a clearer route to prosecution, and by virtue a deterrent,” she said. “Whilst owners may still have a prospective civil claim to pursue any financial losses, it may be difficult and expensive, and there would be no guarantee of success, or recovery of any damages awarded.”

British Horse Society (BHS) safety team manager Des Payne told H&H anyone involved in a dog-related riding incident should contact a legal expert; the BHS has a free legal support helpline accessible to some members.

“We would always seek clarity when dealing with these awful situations, as our laws aren’t simple to navigate and there can be many different circumstances to consider,” he said. “Our understanding is that the Crown Prosecution Service will assess whether to proceed with prosecution under section 3 of the 1991 act or other relevant legislation on a case-by-case basis. As ever, we will continue to lobby Government to ensure the interests of horses, horse riders and carriage drivers are at the forefront of any legislative change.”

A Defra spokesperson confirmed Mr Payne’s understanding on the 1991 act, adding that the Government takes dog attacks very seriously.

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NuuMed’s most established lines are back in production in Britain – and back on the market – thanks to a deal that secured the brand’s future.

H&H reported in March that Racesafe had bought NuuMed and Thermatex, brands owned by manufacturer Vale Bros, which went into administration in 2023. At the time of the sale, Racesafe said the move “provides the stable manufacturing structure and technical know-how needed to support long-term growth”.

Today (2 July), a spokesperson for Racesafe confirmed NuuMed is back in production.

“Following Racesafe’s acquisition of the brand earlier this year, its core saddle pads and numnahs are once again being manufactured in Great Britain and returning to riders and retailers,” the spokesperson said.

“Production has been fully integrated into Racesafe’s Northamptonshire factory, supported by former NuuMed specialists to ensure a transfer of knowledge and high standards. The result is the range riders already know and rely on, made to the quality and fit the brand has always been known for, now back in tack rooms across the UK.”

This initial relaunch is of the most established products, and embroidery and customising is available for some items. More products will follow as capacity increases.

NuuMed return: core products first

Racesafe managing director James How said: “From the outset, our priority was to stabilise NuuMed and return its core products to the market as quickly and carefully as possible. We know how much riders value NuuMed, so restoring availability while maintaining the standards the brand is known for has been crucial.

“We hope to evolve the brand but this first stage is about making sure the products people trust are readily available again.”

Event rider and Racesafe and NuuMed brand ambassador Eliza Bell said she was delighted to see the products’ return.

“We’ve always loved the quality and thoughtful design, and it’s clear how comfortable the horses find the products. It’s great to see those same standards being maintained as the brand comes back, and I know many riders will be very pleased to have these products available again.”

The products are available to order now from the NuuMed website, and are due to be with some retailers by mid-July. Thermatex products are due to return to the market within a month.

“This marks the next stage for NuuMed under Racesafe’s ownership and the careful continuation of a trusted brand, now with the support to secure its long-term place in the market,” the spokesperson said.

• Enjoyed reading this? For more expert training advice from top riders and coaches, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Groundwork exercises can be highly effective for building your horse’s strength as they can develop core stability, balance and muscle tone without needing to compensate for the added weight and restriction of a rider.

All horses have a dominant side – like us being right- or left-handed – and with this exercise you can target developing the weaker side as well as building overall core strength. The use of raised and angled poles make horses lift their knees and bend the hocks, think where to place their feet, engage their core and and open their shoulders.

Aims

• Develop weaker side
• Engage core and get horse working through the back
• Improve proprioception

The setup

You will need: a training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle

Setup: You can use as many poles as you have time to lay out, but six is a good number. Arrange them in a zig-zag as shown in the diagram, raising the points where the poles meet on to 15–20cm blocks on one side.

Because this is a walk exercise, don’t worry too much about the spacing – they can be quite close together or at right angles. It’s up to your horse to work out where to put his feet.

How to do the exercise

• Before you try the polework exercise, warm your horse up by leading him on both reins for about 10min. You should do transitions from walk to halt, to check he is paying attention to you. You can also ask him to rein-back from the ground or do some basic lateral work. Your horse should be walking actively forwards and straight, as you would expect under saddle.
• Approach the zig-zag directly in the centre. As you are working in-hand, you should keep yourself parallel to your horse’s head but outside the poles, rather than stepping over them as this may affect how you lead and balance your horse.
• Because the spacing between the poles varies, and they are higher on one side than the other, this will encourage your horse to think about where he puts his feet, constantly adjusting his balance and stride length. Stepping over uneven, raised obstacles asks your horse to lift their core, thereby building topline.
• You should do this exercise several times in each direction, bearing in mind one side is higher than the other. To work on your horse’s weaker side, do more lines where he has to lift that side higher. For example, if his weaker side is the left, have the raised side on the left.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Alternate raised poles

This exercise is equally effective if you alternate the raised sides, so your horse has to keep adapting as they go down the line.

2. Don’t overface

If your horse has never done this exercise before, he may find the visual challenge of a line of asymmetric poles offputting. You can build up from three poles rather than going straight into six.

Likewise, don’t underestimate the impact of this polework exercise, even though you’re not riding. It requires plenty of physical and mental effort.

3. No drifting 

Although you’re leading your horse and cannot use your legs and hands to keep him straight, the asymmetric layout should do the job for you as the angled poles channel the horses into a straight line. Give them plenty of freedom with the head and neck to assess the layout and use their back.

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The versatile in-hand pole setup that will give your horse plenty to think about – even in walk

Encourage your horse to lift and lengthen with the help of this zig-zag polework layout

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Extended canter is all about energy. Dressage judges want to see an increase in stride length and ground cover, not just more speed, with the horse staying straight and connected.

The same applies when jumping: you want lift, airtime and adjustability, maintaining your rhythm – not simply a faster canter that’s flat and hollow.

This very simple flatwork exercise works on boosting the quality of the steps in extended canter – not the quantity.

Aims

• Increase stride length and ground cover
• Develop an uphill, open frame
• Maintain the rhythm while increasing the reach
• Stay straight and connected, both into the extended canter and back out again

The setup

No setup required – simply the space to ride a 20m circle on the flat.

How to ride the exercise

Many riders try to practise their extended canter by firing off down the long side of the arena. However, it’s best taught over short, repeatable efforts where the horse can learn to make a distinction in stride length.

• Warm up in walk, trot and canter on both reins, including plenty of transitions to make sure your horse is listening and responding to your aids.
• Establish an active working canter and go large.
• Now go on to a 20m circle in working canter, and make a transition to five or six bigger strides, before collecting back to working canter. Use your inside leg to push the shoulder up without blocking. The circle should encourage your horse to step under with the hindleg, rather than running flat on the forehand.
• This short effort discourages the horses from becoming flat and running, because they’ll anticipate the re-collection. It also teaches riders to feel a few good steps as the quality is developing and not chase for more.
• Each horse will vary on how much you need to push and how much to hold. By practising, you’ll find your own horse’s sweet spot.
• Repeat a few times on each rein.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Running

Keep the increases short, before collecting back. While the horse is developing the extended canter, he may only be able to manage a few good strides, then unravel, losing balance and energy. It is better to make the transition back before that happens. Prioritise quality over quantity.

2. Flattening

To extend properly, your horse needs to lift. Think shoulder-fore going into the circle, so you encourage you horse to keep his inside shoulder up, without establishing a full shoulder-in. The frame needs to be open to be able to extend, not overly flexed.

3. Too much hand

Some riders hang on to the reins to try to control the canter, so you need to work on your hands being independent. Work on giving and retaking the rein on a circle. And when you come back to a more collected canter from the increased strides, don’t just pull! Use a half-halt and soften.

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More than 14,000 transport professionals now have access to training it is hoped will not only keep horses and riders safer but also include them in future plans.

Rider and traffic and transport consultant Catherine Chapman has created the continuing professional development (CPD) module on equestrians as road users. She has developed the workshop with the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) and the British Horse Society director of safety Alan Hiscox. It is available to more than 14,000 members of the CIHT.

“I hope it will raise more awareness and understanding,” Ms Chapman told H&H. “What I would like it to do is encourage a more inclusive approach to active travel, because at the moment active travel is defined as walking and cycling. But horse riders, in terms of vulnerability, are equal to cyclists according to the Highway Code, so I want to raise awareness and encourage transport professionals to think a bit more outside the box.”

Ms Chapman, the managing director of ADL Traffic and Highways Engineering, carried out a literature review, published in the Journal of Transport and Health, last year, with Professor Charles Musselwhite of Aberystwyth University.

She said she undertook this review, of published literature on equestrians as road users, partly to highlight just how little research there is in this area.

“Once I got it published, I went to my industry body, the CIHR, and said ‘There is no training’,” she said. “I told them we need this CPD workshop, and I could use my study as the basis of a CPD workshop.

“I’m now trying to raise awareness, on a professional level, of the issues horse riders have being on the road, but also the lack of understanding that we as transport professionals have about horse riders as road users. The Government road safety strategy published this year includes horse riders, but it’s just lip service. And how are you going to implement that when you don’t understand horses and you don’t understand horse riders? There needed to be a training basis and it didn’t exist.”

The CPD could be undertaken by professionals including transport planning consultants, those who work at councils or highway authorities and road safety auditors. Benefits could be that, for example, someone planning a shared walkway and cycle route would consider accommodating horses as well.

“There’s such limited research, we almost get excluded from literature reviews, as it doesn’t show up in the searches,” Ms Chapman said. “So by creating a published article, that will hopefully show up in in literature review searches.

“I’ve made my research free access as well; my aspirations are trying to generate more research on horse riders as road users and encourage more inclusive thinking when it comes to active travel and highway design. And making horses and riders safer.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

This groundwork exercise is handy for keeping your horse engaged and stimulated in walk, because of the constant changes of direction combined with negotiating poles.

Aims

• Provide mental and physical stimulation
• Strengthen core and hindquarters
• Focus on changes of bend while negotiating poles

The setup

Setup: Three sets of two poles set up in like chevrons, with about 4m between the points of each set.

You will need: training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle

How to do this in-hand exercise

• Just because you’re working in hand doesn’t mean you don’t need to warm your horse up. Before you start the polework exercise, spend 5–10min in walk. Your horse should be walking actively, as you would expect if you were riding. Incorporate plenty of transitions to check your horse is focussed and working with you, not being distracted.
• First, approach the chevrons on a straight line (orange line above). The poles should draw the horse into the point.
• Approach the points in the opposite direction, aiming for the points. Without the poles guiding you both into the point, you need to be accurate so the horse doesn’t meander to the side.
• Now you can play around with the formation. Do circles and loops making a cross-section through the chevron, varying whether you cross near the point or where the poles widen out (green line). Taking the poles on an angle like this will increase the emphasis on footwork as the horse needs to work out how to lift and put down his feet.
• You can also approach the sides of the chevron at a right angle, then dogleg off to the opposite arm of the next chevron (blue line). This works on changing the bend while negotiating poles. All the time, you are asking you horse to assess, react, be supple and precise with his footwork.

Make sure you work equally on both reins.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Layout

If you only have four poles – or are short on time – just two chevrons will also provide a great workout.

2. Accuracy

Striped poles are really useful for keeping disciplined on accuracy. If you decide to cross from, say, white stripe to white stripe, can you stick to it?

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Lengthened or extended trot strides are often seen in a dressage test across the diagonal. The consequence is that many of us practise them by speeding across the longest straight in the arena, inadvertently encouraging our horses to become flat, hollow and rushed. The trot strides don’t so much lengthen as simply speed up.

Instead, we want to encourage our horse to push off the hindleg, with the strides getting longer but, crucially, not quicker. To do this successfully, the horse needs to be supple, which will produce longer steps with more airtime thanks to a looser back and more engaged hindleg.

This flatwork exercise works on suppleness alongside lengthening the steps to improve the latter.

Aims

• Longer, but not faster, trot strides
• Increased suppleness

The setup

No setup required. All you need is sufficient space – and an arena is ideal. If you are riding in the field, it’s helpful to lay out arena boards, poles or other markers so that you can be disciplined about where you make transitions.

How to ride the exercise

• Warm up in all paces, incorporating plenty of upward and downward transitions to ensure your horse is responding to your aids or cues.
• Establish an active working trot and go large, riding around the edge of the arena.
• As you come round the short side, turn up the quarter-line in the same trot, and leg-yield to the track.
• When you reach the track, ask for a few lengthened strides, thinking “bigger, but slower” to prevent rushing. The leg-yield should help loosen your horse’s back, while engaging the inside hindleg so that it can push off more for bigger, longer strides. This is particularly helpful if your horse has a choppy trot.
• Before you reach the end of the next short side, collect the trot again, keeping the energy but containing the stride length.
• Do this exercise the same number of times in both directions. Because it loads the inside hindleg more, you need to work both sides equally.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Tempo control

If you do this exercise in rising trot, you can use your rising to help control the horse’s tempo. This is useful if your horse tends to go faster, not bigger, when you ask for the extension.

2. Rushing

For horses that rush or hollow, you can practise lengthening on a circle. The curve of the circle will encourage you to ride from inside leg to outside rein to engage the hindleg. You can change between rising and sitting trot to help your horse by allowing the back to swing more in the longer strides.

3. Trouble re-collecting

For horses that struggle to come back into a balanced more collected trot after lengthening, ride a 10m circle at the end of the lengthened strides. This will encourage you to keep your horse in balance so that he is ready to do a small circle, rather than allowing him to rush down the side of the arena.

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This polework exercise can be done in-hand or ridden, but it’s best to teach it as a groundwork exercise first to give your horse the chance to learn the concept without the additional weight of a rider. The act of simply stepping over a line of poles can bring huge benefits to your horse in terms of both stimulation (mental and physical) and building strength, coordination and horse-rider harmony.

Aims

• Develop your horse’s core strength
• Improve foot-brain coordination
• Develop horse-rider relationship and understanding

The setup

Setup: Four poles laid end to end in a line. They can be on the ground or sightly raised on small blocks or bricks. You need to have space either side, so ideally down the middle of an arena or field.

You will need: a training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle.

How to do this in-hand exercise

• Begin by leading your horse in-hand around the arena or field for five minutes or so, checking he is walking purposefully without pulling you around. Do transitions to and from halt to ensure he is responding.
• Approach parallel to the line of poles so that they lie just to right of your horse. When you are level with the first pole and their right foreleg is about to leave the ground, ask the horse to step over the pole until all four legs are on the right side of the pole.
• Walk in a straight line away.
• Next, approach so that the poles lie to your horse’s left. When their left fore is leading, ask the horse to step to the left over the line of poles and walk away in a straight line.
• Once the horse understands the concept, you can link up several step-overs. Starting with the poles on the right, step over the line leading with the right fore, then take an odd number of steps parallel to the pole until the left fore is leading, and ask the horse to step to the left back over the line of poles. Again walk an odd number of steps and then move sideways right.
• Continue until you reach the end of the line.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Difficulty level

This exercise is more demanding the higher the poles are raised, and the more frequently you ask the horse to step over. Start with seven steps on each side, progressing to five or then three as your horse understands.

2. Stay parallel

It can be tempting to serpentine over the poles, but the aim is to step laterally, one foot after the other. Stay parallel and don’t meander!

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In this exercise to improve medium trot, we are using lateral work – specifically the half-pass – to improve the push in the more extended paces. Half-pass should only be attempted once your horse is established in both shoulder-in and haunches-in (travers), being able to bend around the inside leg, maintain a forward rhythm and move sideways in good balance.

The half-pass enhances a horse’s longitudinal and lateral suppleness, enabling the hindleg to step under more and therefore boosting the power and push, to encourage ground cover without your horse losing balance. It also frees up the shoulders, which gives your horse more reach in the medium trot.

Aim

• Improve impulsion and engagement

Setup

No setup required: This flatwork exercise is easiest to do in an arena. If you are riding it in a field, we suggest marking out an arena to help your accuracy.

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, establish an active working trot and go large.
• As you come out of the corner, ask for half-pass across the diagonal.
• After six strides or so, straighten the horse and ask for some lengthened or medium trot strides.
• Proceed in medium trot across X. This should improve impulsion and engagement.
• After around six strides of medium trot, half-halt and position your horse in half-pass again.
• Half-pass back to the track.
• Repeat on both reins and from both ends of the arena.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Failing to prepare

Without preparing your horse properly either for the half-pass or the medium trot, he will lack engagement and balance. Try a couple of steps of shoulder-in before the half-pass to engage the hindleg and establish the bend.

When it comes to the medium trot, make sure he is straight before asking him to lengthen.

2. Too much, too soon

Half-pass is a lateral movement for established horses. If your horse is twisting his head or struggling with his balance and bend, go back to basics. He should be well established in shoulder-in before you start attempting some steps of half-pass.

3. Twisting head

This can occur when the inside rein is forcing the bend, with the outside leg pushing the horse, which blocks the inside leg from coming through.

Or, the rider is asking for more sideways movement than the horse is ready for.

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Teaching sidepass and other lateral work from the ground encourages your horse to “think” with his feet, as well as listening and reacting to what you are asking of them. It can take a while initially for the penny to drop for some horses learning this lateral sidepass pole exercise, but it’s great for creating engagement and learning how to move the hind and front end.

The pole provides a visual and tactile boundary, which is a tool in this exercise. All you are asking the horse to do is move sideways along a pole which separates the hind and front end. However, it is quite a demanding exercise mentally, requiring your horse to understand your cues to move laterally and not to step forwards over the pole with the hindlegs.

Before you attempt this groundwork exercise, your horse needs to understand how to move his front end and his back end from your cues on the ground. These are simple movements that you would do, for example, when you open and close a gate.

Aims

• Develop lateral coordination, suppleness and precise footwork
• Engage the core as the horse learns cross their legs over in balance
• Improve your horse’s overall manoeuvrability and responsiveness

The setup

You will need:

• A pole on the ground – ideally a heavy one that doesn’t roll easily when kicked or stepped on
• training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle
• Lunge line, long rope or reins
• Schooling whip (or you can spin the end of your line or reins as the cue)

Once your horse is comfortable standing over a pole, ask him to move sideways along the pole, keeping his hind and front legs on either side

How to do the sidepass pole exercise

• First lead your horse towards the pole, asking him to halt when just his front legs are over it, and the pole is dividing his front and hindlegs. It may take some adjustment and steps of rein-back for him to understand where you want him to position himself.
• Make sure that your horse is comfortable standing squarely with the pole dividing his front and hind end. This may take time initially, especially if he is used to walking over poles rather than stopping halfway.
• In the middle of the pole, stand facing your horse and slightly to his left side, and ask your horse to move to the right, away from you.
• Your left hand should steer the horse sideways to his right, containing any forward movement so that he does not walk over the pole with the hindlegs.
• To move the hind end laterally, either spin or shake the loose end of lead rope in your right hand, or point to the horse’s ribcage with your schooling whip to ask him to move right.
• The moment your horse makes a step or two sideways, release the pressure and praise. Over time he will understand to move laterally along the whole pole, crossing his legs over as he goes.
• To start with, just try going from the middle of the pole to the edge, and eventually you’ll be able to side pass along the whole pole.
• Repeat in the other direction.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Patience

Break this exercise down into small steps, so you do not overface your horse – it takes time. In one session, you may only get as far as standing quietly over the pole.

2. Confidence and competence

To start with, your horse may move the front end and hind end separately, but as they grow in confidence and understanding, they will step sideways with both fronts and hinds simultaneously.

3. When to step away

If your horse starts to get frustrated with the exercise, which can feel claustrophobic as he gets used to the pole in between his legs, break it up with some forward trotwork.

4. Ridden work

You can also do this exercise ridden, and having already taught your horse from the ground, it should be much easier to achieve.

5. Progress

You can develop this exercise by adding further poles, for instance into an L shape or a zigzag so the horse they have to negotiate corners, requiring a little turn on the forehand or haunches to move onto the next pole.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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We know straightness is a crucial element of how our horse goes, and one of the scales of training. Canter, being asymmetrical, is the hardest gait to achieve straightness, with many horses falling out at the shoulder and swinging the quarters in.

This flatwork exercise uses shallow loops to straighten the canter, improving engagement and encouraging your horse to accept the outside aids. Straightness still applies when the horse is bending. The horse is straight if their hindlegs are following their front legs travelling on the same two tracks in self-carriage.

Quarters-in is a common fault at lower levels. As the outside hindleg strikes off (and starts each canter stride sequence), it carries the most weight. Horses may try to compensate for this by swinging the quarters in so this weight-bearing leg doesn’t have to step under so far.

Aims

• Straighten the canter
• Teach your horse to accept the outside aids
• Achieve self-carriage

The setup

No setup required: This exercise is easiest to do in a school to help you be disciplined about the size of loop. If you do it in a field, we suggest you mark out an area to work in.

How to ride this exercise

• Once warmed up in walk, trot and canter on both reins, go large in a balanced working canter.
• At the first quarter marker on each side of the area, ride a 10m shallow loop. The bend of the horse’s head and neck should follow the direction of travel.
• Repeat, progressively decreasing the size of loops to 8m, 5m, 2m and 1m.
• Finally, ride the same exercise with barely noticeable loops of 20cm – with the aim that your horse is completely straight.
• Repeat on both reins.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Your horse goes disunited or hollows

Just come back to trot, try to relax, and then try again starting with shallower loops.

2. You lose the quality of canter

Some horses rush as they anticipate cantering across the diagonal. Perform a half-halt in the corner before starting the loop to keep him on the aids.

3. An unintentional flying change

Maintain the existing canter lead (the lead you started the loop on) with your true inside leg and the outside leg slightly behind the girth. While the horse’s body should bend around the loop, their nose should be slightly pointing toward the leading leg to prevent the horse from interpreting the turn as a cue for a flying change.

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This S-bend or maze exercise is designed to be done in walk. However, you can choose either to ride it or do it in hand – both have benefits. As your horse navigates their way through the maze of poles, it’s a mentally stimulating challenge to encourage suppleness, build core strength and balance, while teaching your horse to take care where he puts his feet.

I personally love this polework exercise and find it to be really beneficial. Plus, walk is a very effective pace for polework because there is no moment of suspension, which means your horse has to use muscular effort, thereby building core strength.

Aims

• Improve proprioception
• Boost balance and core strength
• Provide mental stimulation

The setup

Setup: six poles arranged in a maze or S shape

You will need: if working in-hand, a training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle. Otherwise, your usual tack.

How to ride the maze exercise

• Whether you are riding or working in-hand, warm up the horse for 10 minutes or so, including transitions and circles. Check he is responsive to your aids, listening and ready to work.
• Let’s say you want to ride the exercise. Approach the entry to the maze (blue line) in a nice active walk.
• The corners will be tight. Open your inside hand to encourage your horse to bend through his body in the direction of travel. Control the shoulder from falling out with the outside rein. Apply pressure with the inside leg, to encourage him to step under and cross over with his hindlegs, like you would in turn on the forehand. The outside leg behind the girth should be in contact with their side to stop the quarters swinging out.
• To do this exercise in-hand, you will need to use your body positioning, line and stick to encourage your horse to bend and step under.
• You can also use this layout to walk and trot over the poles as shown in the diagram by the orange and yellow lines.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Start simple

Start with wide channels (around 1.5m) when introducing this layout. You can reduce them to about 1m when the horse is proficient at this exercise.

You can also start with a basic L or U shape rather than the full maze while the horse works out the challenge.

2. Rushing

Horses can feel trapped by the narrow boundaries and rush, or try to go over the poles rather than chicane around them. If this happens, widen the channels. You can also walk the horse around the layout first so they can inspect it.

3. Steering problems

Your horse may be confused by the layout and what you want him to do in the tight space, or lack lateral suppleness. Take it slowly, using clear aids whether you are doing the exercise ridden or in-hand.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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Supporters of trail-hunting and rural businesses whose trade would be affected by its loss are urged to reply to the Government’s consultation on the proposed ban before it closes on Thursday (18 June).

The Future for Hunting campaign, a joint initiative between the Countryside Alliance and the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) has put together a suggested response, completing which will also contact the respondent’s MP.

Alliance director of hunting Polly Portwin told H&H: “This is a critical moment for everyone who values hunting, hounds and the communities that support them. In years to come, when we look back on this moment, each of us should be able to say that we played our part.

“Before the consultation closes, ask yourself honestly: have I done everything I can to help protect hunting’s future?”

Have your say

Ms Portwin said it is crucial the Government understands the economic impact a ban would have on rural communities.

Nessie Chanter, joint-master of the Heythrop, explained: “Our hunt alone has 112 suppliers whose business will be adversely affected by the proposed ban.

“There are 293 farmers within our hunt country who will be affected by discounted fallen stock services, reduced hay and straw sales and free fence repair. There are 30 livery yards who would struggle to continue. That’s not to mention the vets, farriers, lorry mechanics, feed merchants, horse dentists and chiropractors who gain so much business from 150 individuals and 300 horses who hunt with the Heythrop.”

Supporting businesses

Mrs Chanter added that the Heythrop hunts three days a week and there is usually a meeting in a pub afterwards.

“These pubs won’t see the level of support in the winter that they’re used to, not to mention the sense of community built around trail-hunting. There is so much good that transpires from the trail-hunting community in our area, from litter-picking to raising money for charity; on average, £16,000 to £18,000 per annum.”

“It is clear that the rural community is being persecuted,” she added. “The Heythrop has 150 riding and 325 non-riding members, aged eight to over 80, from all walks of life, who have a reason to get out of their houses a few times a week and spend the day in the fresh air together.

“The social interaction, exercise and feeling of belonging in our community, reflected across all hunts in England and Wales, improves mental health and wellbeing and would be impossible to replicate.

“The layers of damage that a ban would cause have simply not been recognised by a Government with extraordinary priorities that seem intent on engaging in a battle, not just with trail-hunting, but with the countryside as a whole.”

Trail-hunting ban consultation: timeline unknown

It is unknown how quickly Defra will react to the consultation but Mrs Portwin said: “We’re confident that this is one of the largest, if not the largest, response Defra has had to any consultation. This is only the start of our campaign, which will very much be ongoing while we find out what the next steps are in terms of legislation.”

Sam Butler, vice-chairman of Future for Hunting, added: “Momentum and recognition of the importance of our campaign is gathering. I’m seeing further and wider support from third parties and the realisation that this is about a much bigger picture.

“This consultation is only part of the overall process of the campaign meeting its objectives and there is everything to play for – the threat facing farmers and every way of life in the countryside is very real.”

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This simple groundwork exercise might not look demanding, performed at a walk on a loose rein, but it works your horse’s back, strengthens the hindquarters and core, and improves their proprioception as the negotiate poles of different heights and angles.

Aims

• Provide mental and physical stimulation
• Strengthen core and hindquarters
• Focus on footwork

The setup

Setup: four poles set up in a cross shape, with the outer ends raised on blocks

You will need: a training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle

How to do this in-hand exercise

• Warm up your horse first in straight lines in walk by leading him around the arena or field for around 10min, checking that he is active and obedient to your aids. Do frequent transitions from walk to halt to ensure your communication and your horse’s responses are working well. You can also do some rein-back in-hand.
• This polework exercise has two patterns – one a circle and the other in straight lines.
• For the circle, stand toward the middle of the circle and ask the horse to circle around you, stepping over the poles. You can touch your horse behind the girth to encourage him to bend around you. (You will need to be in one quarter, and step over the poles as you turn). The bigger the circle, the higher your horse will need to lift his feet to clear the raised poles.
• Give your horse plenty of rein or rope so that he can lower his head and use his back. The uneven heights require him to look down, assess, and improve hoof-brain coordination.
• For the straight lines, simply lead your horse into the middle of the cross so that he has to take a big step over the X.
• You can add variants, such as small circles over each pole, or making serpentine shapes.
• Perform these exercises equally on both reins to promote symmetrical muscle development.

Tip

Circle sizes

Asking the horse to circle around the edge of the poles requires less bend, but for the horse to lift and engage his core more as he’s travelling over the raised ends. If you bring the circle in closer to you, it will require more bend and suppleness. Either size brings benefits.

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While a horse’s paces are largely down to natural talent, there’s plenty you can work on to improve their quality, scope and cadence. Paces will typically improve as your horse strengthens and you can use poles on the ground to help them develop.

This polework exercise uses just three poles, but by putting them on a fan, you can vary the line and therefore the adjustability of your horse. This works on the ability to collect, lift and lengthen, while staying in a rhythm to negotiation the poles.

Aims

• Improve your horse’s paces
• Encourage a forward, balanced rhythm
• Stop your horse falling in round the corner

The setup

Setup: place three poles in a fan anywhere in the arena, as long as you can ride a straight line towards the fan and away at a right angle. Ideally you will use matching poles so that you can visually ensure you stay on the same curved line.

To ride the exercise in trot, set the poles at around 1.25–1.50m apart (approx 4.5 to 5 toe-to-heel steps for most adults)at the centre point, making a wedge shape.

To ride the exercise in canter, set the poles at around 3–3.5m apart (approx three adult walk steps) at the centre point.

Ponies will need shorter distances (or to take a tighter inside line).

How to do this exercise

• Once warmed up, pick up an active trot and ride over the fan crossing the centre of the poles making a smooth curve around the corner.
• Keep the rhythm and ride over the inner line, again with a smooth (albeit tighter) curve. This is to shorten the stride and encourage your horse to use his hocks.
• Then try the outer line, encouraging your horse to take a longer step, while keeping the rhythm. He cannot simply go faster, as the poles will guide his stride length.
• The inner and outer lines enable you to practise lengthening and shortening the stride, using the poles as an aid to help the horse to stay engaged as he has to lift his shoulder and use his hocks.
• Once your horse is working well over the fan in trot on both reins, widen the distance between the fanned poles for canter.
• Repeat the exercise in canter, working on inner and outer lines and always maintaining a smooth curve.
• If your horse is confident with this exercise, you can then raise the middle pole into a small fence.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Falling in or escaping through the shoulder

Make sure you are following the line through the poles, looking forward around the bend and keeping the contact from inside leg to outside hand. Identically marked poles can help you stay on the same curved line throughout the fan.

2. Shorten and lengthen

This is a great exercise to help your horse’s medium or extended trot. Ride the fan on the inner line to encourage a correct collected trot, giving your horse more lift. Then take that energy and put it into a medium trot across the diagonal or down the long side.

3. Simplify the setup

If you have six poles, you can set up two fans – one at trot and the other at canter distance so that you don’t have to get off and reset the poles.

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A correct halt is not achieved by simply closing the rein, it is the result of preparation, engagement and control in the preceding strides – and this polework exercise will help you get one step closer to riding a perfect square halt.

The halt is a key movement at every level of dressage. Whether it appears at the end of the final centre line, at X on the first centre line, or any other location during the test, it offers the judge a clear opportunity to assess balance, straightness and obedience. This exercise to improve your square halt will help develop all of these skills.

Aims

• Help the rider create an active balanced trot
• Help with accurate placement of the halt
• Create a square halt

The setup

You need: four poles

Setup: place two parallel poles either side of the centre line at X, spaced approximately one trot step apart (around four to five heel-to-toe steps), with two additional poles placed before and after them to frame the exercise.

How to ride this exercise to improve square halt

1. Before introducing halt transitions, it is essential to establish an active, balanced trot. Ride over the pair of trot poles on the E-B line. They will encourage the horse to step more actively underneath with the hind legs, promoting engagement and rhythm.

2. Start by practising trot–halt–trot transitions on the track. The long side provides a natural guide for straightness, which means you can focus on the quality of the transition without worrying about line. At this stage, the higher scales of training (impulsion, straightness and eventually collection) become increasingly important.

As you prepare for the halt, maintain an active trot with a closed leg and steady contact. Use your seat and core to ask for the transition, thinking of the horse stepping into the halt rather than stopping abruptly. A good halt should feel balanced and attentive, with the horse ready to move off again without resistance.

3. Ride the trot-halt-trot transitions on the centre line within the pole layout. As the horse steps over the pole into the halt, the hind legs naturally engage more deeply beneath the body, often resulting in a straighter, squarer halt. Moving off again over the following pole encourages an active, forward transition back into trot while maintaining alignment.

Pitfalls to avoid

1. Halt not straight

When preparing the halt ensure your hips stay square and level, a horse wanting to be crooked will often push one of the rider’s hips forward or upwards. For example, if your horse is halting with their haunches to the right, they will have pushed the riders right hip up or forwards.

2. Knocking pole on the way in

This often means your halt is not square. Make sure the trot is active without being quick. While the upper leg helps maintain the straightness of the trot, the lower leg encourages activity. Your horse should feel short and bouncy as opposed to slow and flat.

3. Overshooting the layout

This is often due to lack of preparation, or the preparation being too late. If you overshoot by a stride, next time try starting the preparation a stride earlier. Half-halts should be clear and quick, followed by a release. If you hold for too long the horse will likely lean on the rein and be slow in their reaction.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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The US company that has bought Tredstep Ireland said it is “very fortunate” to have secured the rights – and honoured that its founder will remain involved.

Equinavia, based in Connecticut, has worldwide exclusive rights to the equestrian clothing and footwear brand, which was founded by former top eventer Aidan Keogh in 1993. Aidan will “continue to play a key role in the brand’s future through a multi-year consulting agreement”, an Equinavia spokesperson said.

“We are very fortunate to secure the rights to Tredstep and even more honoured that its founder, Aidan Keogh, will continue working with us,” said Fred Erik Nilsen, president of Equinavia.

“We want to sincerely thank all the retail partners and agents who have supported and pushed the Tredstep brand forward over the years. You have done a fantastic job making Tredstep the eminent brand it is today, and we are truly grateful.”

Tredstep sold: next steps

Mr Nilsen added that the team is looking forward to working with these partners to grow the brand.

“We are proud to welcome Tredstep into the Equinavia family,” he said. “We believe it is an excellent strategic fit. We are already working closely with our factories to rebuild stock levels and better serve the strong demand that has historically been underserved. It may take us a minute to fully catch up, but we are fully committed to getting there.”

Equinavia also manufactures rider wear, footwear and helmets, as well as tack, rugs and yard equipment.

Aidan said: “I am pleased to partner with Equinavia to ensure Tredstep’s continued success.

“I believe this is the right next step for the brand and look forward to contributing my experience as we move forward together.”

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£119.99

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Communicating and challenging ourselves better are key for the future of horse sport – but we also need a collective dose of humility.

These were among the messages from the 2026 World Horse Welfare survey of public perception of the involvement of horses in sport, which the charity has been commissioning annually since 2022.

The 2026 World Horse Welfare survey found that more of the public see horses as pets (65%) or leisure animals (64.9%) rather than working animals (56.1%), livestock (54.3%) or sport animals (49.4%). Most (70.5%) believe horses’ welfare should “always take priority, regardless of the effect on performance” (70.3%), and that short-term pain or discomfort to improve performance is not very or not at all acceptable (77.3%).

World Horse Welfare CEO Roly Owers said it is clear that equine welfare has a key role in the future sustainability of the global equestrian sector, citing the major strides made in this area.

“But we also hear criticism,” he said.”For some, welfare standards in sport are already so high, they do not need to change, and any attempt at improvement is only to appease the antis. That by talking about welfare, sport is only damaging its own reputation.

“Others say welfare initiatives launched to maintain social licence are all talk and no action. But concerns about welfare will not go away, and you can only address an issue if you face up to it. World Horse Welfare has always been clear that improving equine welfare is pivotal, not primarily because that’s what the public expects but because that’s exactly what it means to put the horse first.

“There is growing evidence that we can do better, and if we know better, we must do better. Doing right by our horses, putting a horse’s wellbeing at the centre of everyone’s decision-making, has to be the fundamental goal for every sport. Yes, this is what the public expects and it will enable the sport to thrive. As David Yellen summed up so well at last year’s event, the best form of PR is to do the right thing.”

The 2026 World Horse Welfare survey trends

Mr Owers said the 2026 World Horse Welfare survey results do not show a positive trend. This year, it was shown that the percentage of those who support horse sport only if welfare improves is about the same as in 2022, at just under 40%. But there has been a slight increase in the number who do not support involvement of horses in sport in any circumstances, from 19.5% to 24.4%.

Mr Owers said this increase may be “within the margin of error”, and not too much of a red flag, but it is “certainly one to continue to watch”.

A panel of experts considered the results and what they may mean. One key issue is that the majority of the public have no regular contact with horses and may never even have seen one.

“A fundamental underlying threat to all equestrianism, sports and non-sports, is that most people in the UK have never had any contact with a horse at all,” said British Equine Veterinary Association CEO David Mountford. “That creates a real problem that we need to get across, and that’s more than just snazzy videos or a social media presence.”

Racing broadcaster and journalist Lydia Hislop pointed out that with the increasing urbanisation of society comes a lack of understanding, citing for example the lack of mainstream coverage of Ros Canter’s Badminton win so soon after she had her second child.

“I think that’s what’s lacking, being able to give people the understanding to be able to watch something like that and see why it was good,” she said. “I think that’s a key form of communication needed to reach people, for further understanding.

“All horse sports have to work out how we can reach out, broaden people’s understanding, explain to people why they should be interested in this. I think that’s the key; communication in an instant, efficient way that grabs people’s attention. We’re all working in an attention economy, and that’s what I think everybody’s communications focus needs to work on.”

2026 World Horse Welfare survey debate: communicating is key

She added that if we look back at our increased understanding, “the idea that we wouldn’t bring new technology, new understanding to make things better is just an absurd position to hold. It’s a way of gently challenging ourselves, so we inside the sport, can look inside it and challenge ourselves to do better, then we’re also better armed with that understanding to communicate outside the sports.”

Former top eventer David O’Connor, chief of sport at US Equestrian (USEF) and chair of the FEI eventing committee, spoke of measures brought in by USEF to improve welfare, such as extending its jurisdiction to cover incidents outside affiliated competition. He also covered the strides made in improving eventing safety internationally; using data and, for example, frangible technology to reduce horse falls.

Asked about recent issues in dressage, and whether other disciplines are behind eventing, he said: “I think eventing is more comfortable with it because they’ve been in it longer.

“They’ve been doing this for 25 years and the other sports are starting to realise this is an important part of the equation. Racing is doing it, dressage is doing it; in the showjumping world, use of the whip that has been adjusted. I think other sports are realising how important this conversation is and that it is not going away.

“So how do we remain proactive? Through education, rules, telling the stories, which is a huge thing. Multiple pieces of the puzzle have to be worked on together; there’s not one thing that will fix it, and using data and science, such as on how animals think, it gives you a way to be able to measure whether you’re actually making a difference.”

Exceptional performance

Minette Batters, chair of British racing’s Horse Welfare Board, also mentioned Ros’s win, describing it as “probably the most exceptional performance I have ever seen”, from horse and rider, and that the sport must learn from it.

“These stories – you want people who want to be Ros Canter, work for Ros Canter, to be stable staff, climb the ladder, be champion jockey,” she said. “That’s the wonderful thing about horses, you can come from anywhere in life and rise to the stars, and that’s the story people want to hear, but you’ve got to be pulling that.

“There’s a lot to be learned from what happened with Ros, because we tend to follow influencers, celebrities, people with huge Instagram accounts, and it’s not all about that, that’s wrong for every part of horse sport.”

Baroness Batters said the welfare board is planning “welfare champions” on every yard in racing, and that another key is for the horse world to open its doors, invite people in, “bring them in and take them with us”.

David O’Connor agreed, adding that warm-up areas, as well as yards, need to be open to all eyes.

“We have an expression in the United States: if you can’t train in the middle of Central Park and explain it and have people like it, probably you’re doing it wrong,” he said.

“And dressage is looking at it, looking at the change. You’ll see things come out this year about judging. In the end I think openness and being willing to be open, whether it’s yards, training, warm-ups, competition, that’s going to permeate all the way through the decision-making.”

Humility needed

Sharing his views on the 2026 World Horse Welfare survey, Mr Mountford said he thinks progress is being made; good work is being done, awareness and engagement are high and the momentum needs to be maintained.

“But it shouldn’t be seen that we’ll get to a point and we can stop,” he said. “What needs to continue to improve is consistency and transparency, and making sure what’s written into codes and aspirations of groups like the Horse Welfare Board actually is reality and are communicated as being real.

“I think also what’s true in horse sports, racing, is that we don’t have much humility. How you achieve it, I don’t know, but we need to bring a big box of humility to the table. We can all learn every week, from a colleague, from someone with decades of experience or from the latest research on how horses learn.

“Riders at the very top will be having weekly lessons and people throughout the industry should be, on riding, but also on what’s going on with science, how they can improve, how we can learn.”

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It’s all too easy when out hacking to do long stretches in one pace. By mixing it up and incorporating transitions, this will ensure your horse is listening to your aids and engaged, and improve your flatwork while you’re at it.

If you’re hacking out in company, you can still do this flatwork exercise. Count strides together and make it fun!

Aims

• Improve your accuracy in making upward and downward transitions
• Be disciplined about making the transition at the intended moment, rather than drifting into the new pace
• Ensure your horse is listening to you in a distracting environment, and that your aids are clear

The setup

No setup required. You can do this in an arena, field or out hacking.

How to ride the exercise

• Decide on a sequence of transitions that you will stick to. For example, trot 20 strides, walk 10 strides, trot 20 strides, walk 10 strides. You can also include canter and halt.
• Be disciplined about when the transition happens, rather than drifting into walk or trotting two strides after you intended. Prepare early, using one or more half-halts, so that your horse is ready, then execute the transition at the designated point.
• If you’ve nailed the straightforward transitions, work on transitions within the gait, for example lengthened strides, free walk to medium walk, collected trot to working, or skipping a gait, like halt to trot or walk to canter and back again.

You may find your horse is more easily distracted out hacking than he would be schooling in the arena, so this is a great way to keep him listening.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Lack of response into trot

Your horse does not have enough impulsion. Transitions are an excellent remedy for helping the horse be sharper off the leg, so try doing more frequent transitions. Also use transitions within the gait to build responsiveness and engagement.

2. Falling into walk

This reveals a lack of engagement, and could also mean the rider is leaning forward or collapsing through their core into the downward transition. Wrap your leg around your horse’s belly, close your thighs, sit up tall and maintain a consistent contact to keep the quarters engaged as he steps forward into walk.

3. Horse hollows

Your horse may hollow its back and lift his head as you make a downward transition. This can occur when the rider blocks with the reins. Soften your hand slightly during the transition, without losing the contact completely, to allow the horse to lift its back and step under.

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When you don’t have the time or motivation to ride, but still want to give your horse a constructive session, incorporating polework exercises as part of your groundwork training is one solution.

This in-hand groundwork exercise is ideal for establishing good communication with your horse from the ground, engaging them physically and mentally, as well as building their core strength and proprioception (body awareness). With one groundwork setup, you can practise a variety of lines and work on different areas of the body.

Aims

• Encourage accuracy and precision on the straight lines
• Develop flexion, core strength and engagement over the poles and round tight corners
• Mental stimulation and increased proprioception

The setup

Setup: four poles arranged in a square shape with each one touching end to end

You will need: a training halter, lunging cavesson, or your horse’s usual bridle

How to do the exercise

• First lead your horse around a few laps of the arena on each rein, checking he is listening to you by making frequent transitions to halt. You can also ask him to rein-back or do some basic lateral work. Your horse should be walking actively forwards and straight, as you would expect under saddle.
• Approach one side of the square in the centre of the poles and walk directly through, keeping on the same straight line as if you were riding a centre line in a dressage test (see green line above). Repeat this on the opposite axis and on both reins. You can incorporate halts in the middle of the square.
• Next, try diagonal lines through the square (see orange line above), walking in and out over the corners. This requires a bigger step from the horse to clear the right angle. Always focus on staying straight – it’s easier for the horse to veer away from the point. Also incorporate transitions to halt in the middle.
• To introduce bend, set up a curved line which asks the horse to step over each pole on an angle (see black line on the left above). You can adjust the curve to make the bend easier or harder to improve your horse’s flexibility and work on both reins.
• Another pattern to try is loops in and out of the square, changing bend through the centre – it’s a small space, so your horse will have to be clever with his footwork
• Work up to walking a complete circle over one corner of the square (black line top right), which requires your horse to bend through their ribs and be aware of their foot placement to clear the poles. Adjust the size of the circle to suit your horse.
• Finally you can ask your horse to work on his suppleness by turning a small circle around the inside of the square (black line inside the poles). This will require him to engage the inside hindleg and develop his flexibility (see note below).

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Larger circles

If walking a tight circle around the inside of the square is too taxing, try initially circling around the outside, which gives your horse more space. However, he should be able to work up to manoeuvring around the inside with practice.

2. Progress

To increase the difficulty level, raise the poles (using risers like these) to place a greater demand on the core strength and hindleg engagement.

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The owner of a pony who was left catastrophically injured in the road by the driver who hit him with his rider stuck underneath hopes sharing their story may help save others.

Abby Carvosso’s daughter Sofia was uninjured when her pony Paddy landed on her on the road in Surrey last Thursday (5 June), but the 22-year-old Connemara had to be put down at the scene.

“Our gorgeous boy,” Abby told H&H. “We called him Perfect Paddy because he was just a dream, and he was even perfect then. He got up; he was so brave, he didn’t panic, he was still lovely. But the vet arrived, looked at me and just said: ‘no’. It was cut and dried, and we just had to put him down in the lane.”

Abby said Paddy, who had taught countless young riders all they know, and won “everything”; Cotswold Cup, Pony Club and national schools association championships, had just been loaned out to a 10-year-old, and Sofia, who rides professionally for Andrew Balding, was helping keep him fit by hacking out.

“I was at home, about 10 minutes away, and Sofia rang me while she was still on the ground and said ‘I think they’ve killed him’,” she said.

“It’s one of those country roads that’s narrow with high hedgerows and Sofia said she could hear a car coming so she stopped. It came round the corner, screeched its brakes, went into the hedge then smashed into Paddy and Sofia.

“She said she was crying out ‘Help’, and she heard the driver stop – and then drive off. Thank god she was ok. It was hideous enough with our darling pony but it’s not worth thinking about what could have happened.”

Abby said she does not really use social media but she posted appealing for information and has had hundreds of people contacting her and police. A man has since been “assisting police with enquiries”.

“My daughter’s so lovely; she said ‘Mum, it’s going to change his life’ but people have to be accountable for their actions,” Abby said.

“We’d had Paddy 10 years and he’d taught so many little jockeys to be good riders, and was still bossing it round the 90cms. He had so much still to give.”

Abby said her children’s driving instructor, who keeps a horse at the same yard, has always spread the word on passing horses safely with her clients.

“And partly, if anything comes from this, it needs to be awareness,” she said. “It’s life-changing for the driver and that’s the risk you take by driving like that. It could be a person walking a dog. If we can do anything to drive awareness; that’s all I’d want from this, because that’s all that can come from it now. And it could save another horse’s, another rider’s life.”

A Surrey Police spokesperson told H&H the man is assisting officers, but the force is still appealing for information.

“Were you in the area at around 8.30pm on Thursday, 5 June?” she said. “Do you have any information that might assist our investigation? Please get in touch quoting PR/ SYP-202606040795 via our website or social media. In an emergency, always call 999.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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When it comes to lengthening and shortening the canter, this simple exercise is a must-try

Speak to any event rider about how to improve canter adjustability and, more often than not, they’ll recommend this polework exercise – but it’s not just useful for competitors.

When you’re schooling at home, this simple two-pole setup takes the guesswork out of lengthening and shortening the canter stride. It will reveal much about your horse’s strength, as well as just how effective your aids are, all while you’re working on improving the canter.

For young horses, it offers a framework for learning to shorten – establish the aids and mechanics here to set him up for dressage movements, variations within the pace (such as extended canter and collected canter) and course riding.

Aims

• improve canter adjustability
• refine the rider’s aids
• engage the hindleg

The setup

You need: two poles placed on the three-quarter line – it doesn’t matter about the distance between them

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, approach the poles in an active, rhythmic working canter. Aim for the middle and to maintain the rhythm without interfering too much. Your horse should look and adjust to meet the poles in the middle of the stride.
• Repeat, noting how many strides your horse fits comfortably and consistently down the line without interference.
• Now, still your seat over the first pole and make the shortening adjustments needed to fit an extra stride.
• Re-establish the working canter pace. Then ride forward over the first pole and open the canter to travel down the line in one stride fewer.
• Repeat, varying the number of strides you aim for each time.

Things to note

1. Don’t panic about half strides…

… or if your horse breaks into trot. This only means your horse is finding it tricky to engage the hind leg to shorten or maintain the power for a longer stride. Practice will improve his ability and interpretation of your aids.

2. The exercise doesn’t end with the second pole

Be mindful of your approach and getaway; you should still aim for a straight line and a quality corner. Furthermore, ensure the canter retains its quality, balance and control away from the second pole, and that your horse doesn’t lose momentum or get too onward bound.

3. Take breaks

Your horse may get tired, and some may become excited as they anticipate what’s to come. Take care to walk your horse if he’s blowing, or spend a couple of minutes working on something else if he lights up. It can help to give young or sharper horses a shorter approach to the poles. As ever, match the length and intensity of a schooling session to your horse’s age, fitness and ability level.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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A showjumper who competed, and went clear, over a 1.20m track at the first British Bridleless Competition told H&H this “feels like the start of something very exciting”.

Serena Kullich and Silas VTS, who have qualified for the Talent Seekers final at Horse of the Year Show 2026, were among the +20 combinations at the event organised by Mia Rodley of The Heart of Horsemanship at Merrist Wood on 31 May.

H&H reported that the event had had a huge and positive response, and Serena said she was delighted to be part of it.

“It was so exciting to see so many people competing bridleless,” she said. “I know quite a few of them and we play about bridleless, but actually to see everyone in a competition was just so inspiring.”

Serena said she had been fascinated with riding bridleless since she had childhood dreams of riding along the beach without one, but there were not the online resources available that there are now.

Then a few years ago, she was riding Benji at home, the horse with whom she has contested the prestigious London International Horse Show under-25s final.

“I was playing around and realised I could steer him quite well with my legs and back off with the neck rope, and that I could ride him bridleless, which was really exciting,” she said.

“Then I started doing it with Silas. At that point I knew Mia a tiny bit, but I now know her really well; a lot of this is down to her, she’s inspired me to do a lot of the things I’ve done.”

Many riders have said that riding bridleless has improved their horses’ way of going; not the riding itself but the fact that to get to a point at which riding without a bridle works, by definition the horse-human relationship is harmonious and working together.

Bridleless showjumping: the benefits

“What’s been interesting with Silas is that he’s a slightly tense, introverted horse,” she said. “He’s one of those who it’s easy to kind of tell them what to do, even if they’re not completely happy about it. His thing is that he doesn’t like the edges of the arena.”

Mia said with a bridle on, these fences were not a problem but without, she realised he was not as happy taking these on.

“I’ve spent more time getting him truly relaxed and confident,” she said. “I think it’s not been kind of one specific thing, it’s the whole connection I’ve now got with him, to be able to do everything I can do, has transferred to the jumping. He has always been a willing horse but now he really tries, he has he so much more trust in me.”

Serena said she rides some of her younger horses with bridles, some without, but she applies all she has learned from working without, to their benefit.

“I use all the principles that I use with Silas bridleless, like my steering from my seat, teaching them to have rhythm and relaxation on a long rein,” she said. “Teaching a four-year-old all that, I find, makes such a difference, because then when you jump them when they’re a bit older, they’ve got that foundation and are confident and relaxed.

“So many older showjumpers I get are hard in the mouth; I now go about teaching them the contact slowly and carefully. The fundamental of jumping round a course is that you need them with you and listening and if they’re just running off on their own, it’s not easy!”

Adjusting the stride

Serena and Silas’s round was foot-perfect; she explained that she has put a lot of work in without the bridle, on adjusting the canter stride on the flat, so she knows the gears are there on a course when she needs them.

“He always feels completely with me,” she said. “But then I wouldn’t jump round a course bridleless if I didn’t feel he was completely with me. So I’ve always set him up perfectly for success, whereas in a bridle you can slightly skip things. So with all my jumpers I try my best to always have that feeling of the bridleless, even when I’m riding with a bridle.”

Serena said her main goal is to show people what can be possible.

“It feels like the start of something very exciting,” she said. “The fact Mia’s looking to hold more shows, the reach it’s got across social media is exciting, and so many people are keen to do more of it.

“It’s that feeling of freedom. As well now for me, I love the preciseness, the collection and the ability to adjust a stride jumping but as a kid, it was that feeling of freedom I loved.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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This spiral circle exercise can help you avoid getting stuck in a rut of riding aimless 20m circles. With a bit of focus, you can turn those circles into a really productive flatwork exercise.

Aim

• to improve your horse’s suppleness, engagement and focus.

The setup

Setup: No setup required. All you need is enough space to trot a 20m circle.

How to ride the spiral circles exercise

• Once warmed up, pick up an active trot on a 20m circle. Make sure your horse is bending correctly on the line of the circle, with your inside leg on the girth and outside leg just behind.
• Use the outside leg to spiral in to a 15m circle, then 12m then 10m.
• Your horse should not be falling in or out, but maintaining the bend through his body as the circle gets tighter.
• Leg-yield back out to a 20m circle, using your inside leg to outside rein.

You can repeat a few times, working on your horse’s suppleness and response to your aids, and they should soften. Adjust the size of the smaller circle, and how quickly you return to the larger circle, to be appropriate for the horse’s level of training.

Repeat the exercise in canter if you’re both ready for it. When you spiral in, your horse will need to collect the canter strides a little while maintaining their bend and impulsion.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Falling in

All horses will be stiffer on one rein and this spiralling exercise will help. Keep the inside leg on the girth, encouraging your horse to bend through his body, and your weight on the inside seat bone. Support the outside shoulder with the outside rein.

Check you are not pulling the horse’s head round and back with your inside hand, instead opening the inside hand to guide him. Turn your shoulders in the direction of the turn, don’t lean inwards.

2. Falling out

Use your outside leg behind the girth to prevent the quarters swinging out. The outside rein should guide and contain the shoulder.

The inside leg should encourage your horse to lift through his ribcage rather than sinking. Keep your weight on the inside seat bone.

3. Slowing down

This is a sign that your horse is finding this exercise is challenging. Stay in trot and repeat little and often in your schooling schedule as it will gradually improve their suppleness. You should find that he is much softer on a 20m circle after doing this exercise.

In canter, your horse will have to take shorter strides to make the tighter circle. Keep the rhythm and impulsion to enable him to maintain the canter quality throughout the spiral.

4. Flying changes

Sometimes in canter, when riders apply the inside leg to leg yield back out to the 20m circle, the horse does a flying change. Make sure your leg is on the girth and not behind.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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This zig-zag polework exercise is particularly useful for encouraging more lift, cadence and expression within the paces.

Polework exercises are a really effective way to develop a horse’s strength, balance and way of going. The unusual shape created by the zig-zag poles, combined with the spacing between them, encourages the horse to sit more on the hindquarters, lift through the core and open the shoulder. It is an excellent exercise for horses who tend to run onto the forehand or become flat through the body.

Aims

• Improve your ability to keep your horse straight and upright
• Encourage your horse to push more actively from behind
• Develop greater lift, cadence and shoulder freedom within the pace

The setup

You will need: four standard 3m poles

Setup: Set the poles out in a zig-zag formation along the three-quarter line. The gaps between each section should be approximately the length of one pole. A simple way to build this is to create an initial triangle shape, then move the base pole to begin the next section of the zig-zag.

How to ride the exercise

1. After your usual warm up, start by riding walk-trot-walk transitions, focusing on your horse reacting promptly from the leg, stepping forwards into the contact while remaining balanced and waiting for the half-halt.

2. Before introducing the full exercise, ride over a single pole on different lines across the school. This allows the horse to understand that poles are part of the session and helps establish relaxation. You can ride over the single pole in walk, trot or canter.

3. When ready, turn onto a line that takes you directly through the centre of the zig-zag. Make your turn early enough that both you and the horse are completely straight before reaching the first pole. Ride through in an active, forward-thinking trot, maintaining rhythm and balance throughout. Straightness is crucial. If the horse drifts left or right, the distances immediately become uneven and the exercise loses its intended effect.

Pitfalls to avoid

1. Loss of straightness

If the horse drifts off line, the distances between the poles will no longer ride correctly. Practise riding straight lines away from the track before attempting the exercise. When riding through the poles, some horses benefit from the rider carrying the hands slightly lower and wider, with a more supportive upper leg to help maintain straightness and alignment.

2. Spooking or stopping

The unusual pole angles can look visually challenging to some horses. This is partly what makes the exercise effective, as horses do not naturally have strong close-up vision and must learn to assess the question while staying relaxed.

If your horse feels tense or unsure, begin by riding the line in walk to allow them time to process the exercise. You may also choose to remove one or two poles initially until their confidence improves.

3. Rushing or breaking into canter

Horses who find lift and lengthening difficult often try to solve the question by quickening or cantering. Focus on the clarity of your trot aids. Use more half-halts if needed, alongside a quieter, slower seat.

Some horses find the exercise easier with the rider rising; others prefer a sitting trot. Whichever you choose, stay tall through your upper body, avoid tipping forwards and remember the value of the voice. A quiet “steady” or “trot” can often help maintain rhythm and confidence.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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One of the easiest ways to impress a dressage judge is by riding accurate corners. But it’s not just about scoring high marks; improving how you ride corners encourages the correct bend, suppleness, straightness and balance from the horse with the rider prioritising using their seat and leg, over their hands. This is the foundation for all lateral movements and more advanced work.

Here’s how to work on your discipline and accuracy round the bends with the help of a simple flatwork exercise.

Aims

• to ride into the corners of the arena
• achieving bend through the horse’s whole body, without drifting in or out
• to encourage straightness and suppleness
• improve your transitions

The setup

Setup: No setup required, but you do need an arena – whether permanent or marked out in a field – so that you have corners to ride into.

How to ride the exercise

• Once you’re warmed up, ride a 20m square in trot, turning across the school from E to B (or B to E, depending on the rein).
• Two strides before each corner, ask your horse to walk. Imagine your horse’s whiskers touching edge of school so that you ride deep into the corner, then turn and trot out. The downward transition should help rebalance your horse.
• As you approach each corner your horse should begin to naturally take their balance back on to the hindleg as they anticipate the downward transition. When you feel this, you can continue around the corner in trot without walking.
• Build up to a consistent trot rhythm on the whole square, without changing tempo or cutting any corners, then repeat on the other rein.
• If you feel the horse fall in or try to cut a corner, do the next one in walk.

Tips

1. Stop the drift

If your horse tries to cut the corner, half halt and check your inside leg is there to encourage them to bend their body around your leg through the corner.

2. Building up

Once your horse is becomes more consistent, instead of walking in the corners, just half-halt to rebalance the trot before the turn.

3. Progress

As the balance of both horse and rider develops, you will be able to ride a consistent trot rhythm through the whole square without cutting any corners. If you lapse at any stage, go back to walk and establish correct corners again so the horse understands what you are asking him to do.

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Being able to change your horse’s canter lead while in the air over a jump might seem daunting, but it’s a necessary skill if you want to ensure a smooth jumping round – and be competitive. Plus, horses do flying changes naturally in the field all the time. Use this figure of eight jumping exercise to master lead changes in the air at home so you can save vital seconds when it counts.

Aim

• use a four-fence set-up to practise and improve lead changes over a fence

The setup

You will need: four fences – you can use cavaletti, full jumps with wings, or ground poles – and cones or markers if you have them.

Setup: construct two sets of two fences at right angles with a distance of approx 20m between the points of each set as shown in the diagram. You can set the fence at whatever height is appropriate, or even start with poles on the ground.

If you have cones, place them as a guide about 10m from the point where each set of two fences meet, at each end.

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up and ready to jump, in left lead canter ride around the cone to the first fence (red) – follow the black line in the diagram above.
• Change lead in the air. By looking round to the next fence in the sequence (yellow), the natural shift in bodyweight and direction sends the message to the horse to land with the new leading leg. If you and your horse have not yet established changing leads over fences, see “tips and troubleshooting” below.
• Go round the outside of the other set of fences (blue/green) on the right leg.
• Jump the next fence (yellow), changing to the left lead in the air.
• Go round the cone and repeat. After a rest, repeat on the other rein.

For a more testing challenge, you can come inside the second set of fences making a tighter circle (following the white line), increasing the focus on your rhythm and balance.

Do the same over the blue and green fences to mix it up. Just switch the direction of the set-up, starting on the left of the diagram above, so that you jump the blue and green jumps and go around the yellow and red ones.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. My horse won’t change leg

All horses have a favourite leg to land on, so training them to land on a particular lead takes practice, starting by making sure your aids are super clear and consistent.

Do not lean into the new direction as this can throw your horse off balance. Instead, sit straight and balanced, looking ahead in the new direction.

Support your horse with the new outside rein, and put the new inside leg on at the girth while opening your new inside hand in the direction you are turning.

2. Course-building tactics

If you build one set of fences small and the other slightly higher, you can start over the small set and not have to dismount to adjust before jumping the bigger one.

3. Mix it up

With this set-up you can also practise riding dog-leg turns.

4. Keep it smooth

Being able to change legs in the air will save you time and enable you to produce smooth, rhythmic rounds in competition. Keep thinking ahead, preparing for the next fence as you jump each one.

Want more ideas? Check out our full daily training inspiration library

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Equestrianism in the UK has reached a “pivotal moment”, research has found, as work is ongoing to support its “sustainable, inclusive and socially valuable future”.

British Equestrian (BEF) has published its 2025 “state of the nation” report, the third annual overview of the sector. The report takes in research and information from the BEF, its member bodies, partners and other organisations in sport, health and education.

“This year’s report is evidence that equestrianism has reached a pivotal moment, with participation and social impact evidence on the rise,” the report states. “Equestrian activities deliver significant health, wellbeing and inclusion benefits, while reaching groups often underrepresented in other sports.

“But it also highlights real pressures, with rising costs and fewer local facilities restricting growth and accessibility, as well as increasing welfare and social licence scrutiny.

“The message is clear – equestrianism matters more than ever, but protecting its future will require care, investment and clear evidence of the positive impact horses have on people’s lives.”

The report found that equestrian participation and engagement continue to grow. There has been a 16% increase in BEF member body members, for example, to 295,965 in total, and a 21% increase in social media followers, to more than 2.3m people. But equestrian businesses, charities and the workforce are under pressure.

“Rising operating costs and workforce challenges continue to impact riding establishments and community facilities, threatening local access if not addressed,” the report states.

Social value

A big focus in the BEF state of the nation report 2025 is on social value; H&H reported that major BEF “power of horses” research had found that equestrianism generates £1.2bn in social value every year.

BEF insight and research manager Abbie Bevan, who spoke about the social value research at the launch event last year and highlighted the need to communicate this value to Government, told H&H the picture is overall a positive one.

“This is a retrospective of last year and we can only take it year by year, but at the moment it’s showing there’s a lot of opportunity across the federation with our member bodies,” she said. “That’s what the power of horses research showed us. When we align a lot of the findings of that and the work that’s done in riding schools, there’s a huge amount of opportunity for us to align with Government agendas, on health, wellbeing and social connection.

“This is a reflection on what has been but with the idea of helping us navigate forward as well.”

Ms Bevan explained that it can be difficult to keep up with all the different research and work being carried out; pulling it together helps keep the sector on track and relevant, and to compare equestrianism to other sports and wider trends.

“There are elements of keeping us accountable, but also giving us a bit of a direction; what areas could we focus on next and are there opportunities for us to learn from other sports?” she said.

The BEF state of the nation report sets out the evidence of equestrianism’s relevance to society and the need to protect the sector through “collaboration, investment and improved insight”.

Ms Bevan said that as well as ongoing work with its funders and investors, the BEF is working internally and with specialists to put together its requests to the Government.

BEF state of the nation: work goes on

“There’s a lot of work going on behind closed doors at the moment, but exciting things are to come; that’s essentially the summary,” she said.

The BEF is also working towards its next Sport England funding cycle and “constantly improving” data collection, including research on the workforce.

“Looking ahead, British Equestrian will continue to harness the power of evidence, by developing research and data to better understand the sector and support year-on-year tracking of participation, workforce sustainability, welfare and social impact,” a BEF spokesperson said.

“Set against national evidence of declining physical activity, widening inequalities and growing pressures on health and education systems, the report demonstrates how equestrian activity can contribute to preventative healthcare, social connection and positive life outcomes across all ages.”

BEF head of development and inclusion Rebecca Gibson added that the report shows equestrianism’s status as “far more than a sport”.

“The evidence demonstrates its ability to deliver meaningful social value, improve wellbeing and reach people who are often missed by other forms of physical activity,” she said. “By placing data and insight at the heart of our work, we can better protect the future of the sector, support our communities and ensure horses continue to enrich lives across the UK.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout the year, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Bestselling author Jojo Moyes reflects in her own words on her childhood riding in London, being chased by park-keepers, and why horses are her oxygen mask

Judy Harvey was one of my first role models. She had just taken over Lee Valley Riding School in London, where I started riding, when I joined. We’d work 20 hours for one hour’s riding and we thought that was great. I will always be grateful to Judy because she took us all seriously in a way that, given her own talents, she absolutely didn’t need to.

My first horse of my own was Bombardier. At the time there were lots of funny little yards around East London tucked away in side streets. You’d open a garage door and there would be four stables behind it in a small cobbled yard.

A man called Danny had found Bombardier chained to a lamp post, a section C stallion. Danny nursed him back to health, but had no idea what to do with him. And so I sort of took over some of his training.

I would ride in London Fields, which wasn’t well received by the park-keepers. I couldn’t afford a saddle and so rode bareback much of the time. One time, I was lying on Bombardier’s back listening to my Sony Walkman – which felt like the coolest thing – and was then royally bucked off when someone hit a tennis ball at him and he farted off across London Fields, with me – and the park-keeper – giving chase.

I had to sell Bombardier when I had A-levels coming and couldn’t spare the time to work to pay for him. I could never discover what happened to him after that – it broke my heart. No animal has ever left me since; they’re with me for life.

Jojo Moyes on competing: “Carl Hester doesn’t have to worry yet”

Now I have Joey, a warmblood. He’s a confidence-giver. He can be a bit complicated but he’s not sharp; he’s never made me think, “I might die now”.

I absolutely love him. He’s a bit like a large dog in that he likes to chew everything. If you’re mucking out, he’ll pick up a broom and start sweeping.

His favorite thing is to stick out his tongue and have you waggle it; he goes into a sort of reverie.

I took up classical dressage about three years ago. We’d moved to London and to a livery yard, and one day the owner barked at me, “Do you know anything about the outside rein?” I’d spent 20 years “hacking and yakking”! So I’ve had to unlearn everything, learn to ride off the outside rein and use my seat properly. I love it – even though it made me cry repeatedly for the first few months.

Joey and I have been out competing a few times and he’s often in the ribbons. We’ve got as far as elementary – Carl Hester doesn’t have to worry just yet!

“I don’t know who I’d be without horses”

Horses are so important to me because they fulfil so many of our needs in life. You can pour unconditional love into them, and riding is an intellectual challenge – you have to think about what you’re doing. Plus there’s a community and it’s great for you physically. It makes me happier than almost anything else that I do.

I draw something so deep and visceral from the company of horses. I couldn’t even explain it. I just need to be near them, and I don’t know who I would be without them; how I would navigate the world. Every horse person I’ve ever met is the same. It’s who we are.

I really notice the difference in my mood when I ride. I suffered from depression when my mum was dying, my marriage was ending and I’d overworked myself. I would struggle in the mornings, so would go out on my horse or walk the dogs.

And then I went to ride in Portugal for the first time and after a few days realised that I was waking up cheerful. I think it was being allowed to be “a horse-mad 14-year-old girl” with zero responsibilities, a lot of curiosity and room to learn, in an extraordinary landscape with beautiful horses.

It taught me an important lesson, especially in terms of being a woman and feeling like I’m always responsible for everything, which is that it’s vital to have periods when you get to just be an old horse girl. I don’t think it’s selfish; it’s putting your oxygen mask on first.

Jojo Moyes on the parallels between writing and riding

For both writing and riding, I believe, you have to love learning. My favourite thing with both is to lose myself in it to the point when I stop thinking and I’m just in it. You just have to go with it. I love not being in my head, and both riding and writing give me that.

Horses have been the biggest gift in my relationship with my daughter. All through her teens we would ride side-by-side at the weekend, and that was how we talked about stuff.

It taught her the discipline of doing your horse before you do anything else and she’s now this astonishing, hard-working, very capable 28-year-old. I think horse girls carry an air of capability that almost no other sports discipline gives.

I really feel like I had the best relationship with my daughter because of horses. We still ride together; it’s my favourite part of the weekend.

There are some really interesting questions being asked at the moment about our relationship with horses. I think it’s about actually observing what the horses are telling us and working with it rather than subduing them. I hope that we’re moving as a horse society towards something that’s a little more collaborative rather than dominant.

• Jojo Moyes’ latest book, We All Live Here, is out now in paperback

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Improving your horse’s way of going doesn’t require a perfect arena or a strenuous workout – this halting exercise is an excellent example. You can make significant gains using simple transitions without ever moving faster than a walk. You can ride this flatwork exercise out hacking, in the field or in an arena.

Aims

• to improve your horse’s responsiveness
• hone your horse’s walk-halt transitions, so you can perform them on demand with light aids
• for the horse to understand that go means go, and stop means stop

Setup

No setup needed: You can practise this exercise in an arena, field or out hacking.

How to ride this exercise

• Once warmed up, establish an active walk. Choose a marker, whether it’s a letter in the school or a bush on a hack, where you will aim to halt.
• Sit up tall and reduce the amount your core and hips are following your horse’s back, then gently close your fingers around the rein to ask for halt.
• If the horse doesn’t stop within two strides, check your aids. Were they clear? Repeat and be black and white. As soon as your horse halts, release the rein and praise, with the voice or a stroke on the neck. How long it took to achieve the halt will give you feedback on how early you need to prepare next time, but your horse should become more responsive as you practise.
• Take a moment to assess the halt. Is it balanced? Is your horse square? Does your horse stand still when you release the reins?
• Ask your horse to move off in walk by giving a light leg aid. If he doesn’t react positively from first touch, immediately reapply the leg clearly. If he still doesn’t react, don’t nag, but give a stronger leg aid – it doesn’t matter if the horse trots off as long as he goes forwards. More refined seat and back aids can come later, but the horse can only interpret a limited amount of information, so start with the basics.
• Practise this exercise at regular intervals until your horse is responsive while remaining soft and in a good balance through both the upward and downward transitions. You can do it after four strides or after 40 – what matters is that the horse is listening and responding to your aids.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. It’s a conversation

Give your horse a chance to understand what you’re asking him and try to make it enjoyable. When he tries, show him you appreciate his effort.

2. Don’t fidget with your hand and leg

Many riders never stop twittering with their hand and leg, so the horse learns to ignore them as he doesn’t understand what’s being asked. Ride with clear intent. Ask for a reaction and then leave your horse alone as a reward. Be decisive and have clear boundaries.

3. Let your horse find his balance

If your horse needs to put his head up initially to find his balance, let him. To start with, it’s about the legs: do they go, do they whoa?

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Livery yard owners and managers are facing increasing challenges and “emotional labour” – as new research shows the need for better support.

Researchers at the University of Liverpool explored the experiences of 52 yard managers and managers around yard set-up and management and how decisions are made regarding horse wellbeing.

The study, published in CABI’s Human-Animal Interactions journal, highlighted the “complexity of livery yard management with each yard functioning as a unique ecosystem based on a balance of independent factors including the management of horses, clients, land, business and facilities”.

“Livery yards were frequently run from a desire to work with horses, and this shaped the yard managers’ provision of services and care,” said the authors.

“While yards were organised around the physical tasks of looking after horses, participants suggested that the core of their workload was, in fact, related to the organisational and emotional work of managing clients and horses. This included negotiating around interspecies individual needs, managing disagreements and building relationships. Collectively, this required complex organisation and emotional labour.”

Lead researcher Tamzin Furtado told H&H she came away with a “huge amount of sympathy” for yard owners and managers – and said a takeaway is that there needs to be more support and professionalism for yard owners and “respect for it as an industry”.

“There are so many things that just fall to yard owners and managers, without any of us knowing about it,” she said, giving examples of assisting with euthanasia decisions or “extreme scenarios” such as being shouted at by liveries and having horses “dumped on them”.

“A lot of the work yard managers described went unrecognised, and working conditions which we just wouldn’t accept in other situations. They were trying to manage all these difficult situations, while managing their own work-life balance and the costs of running the yard and many described basically subsidising the yard themselves,” she said.

“It’s hard, we’re in a changing world where things are more expensive, we’ve got more horses, less land, winters are getting worse. We need to understand yard managers better and understand why certain decisions might be difficult for them.”

Ms Furtado added that Chery Johns of LiveryList is doing a “phenomenal job of plugging the gap” and providing a community for yard owners.

Ms Johns told H&H she is pleased to see the work highlight the fact yard management is “far more complex than it often looks”.

“Decisions made on yards can directly affect welfare outcomes, standards of care and the experience of horses and clients in an unregulated industry,” she said.

“It’s encouraging to see the role being recognised properly for what it is; a skilled, responsible and often demanding job that plays a vital role within the industry – and one that needs the right level of support to maintain standards and strengthen the sector.”

Sarah Dale, British Horse Society (BHS) head of approved centres, told H&H the society welcomes this “important study that highlights the challenges and complexities faced by livery yard owners and managers”.

“These businesses are central to equine welfare and the wider equestrian community, so improving understanding of the pressures they face is vital in helping create better outcomes for both people and horses,” she said, adding that the BHS supports livery yards becoming licensed in the future.

“We recognise that running a yard requires far more than excellent horsemanship. Owners and managers are balancing business pressures, client relationships, staffing challenges and ever-changing operational demands, often all at once.”

The BHS offers support for approved centres, including advice from regional business support managers on topics including business and pricing strategies; marketing and mental health; as well as access to professional helplines, networking events and vouchers towards training courses and professional development.

“Studies like this reinforce the importance of continuing to invest in meaningful support for yard owners and managers, who remain at the heart of a healthy and sustainable equestrian industry,” said Ms Dale.

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Booking a saddle fitting and getting your horse’s saddle checked is something all horse owners should be doing regularly, but it can fall by the wayside until there’s an issue. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve got a second-hand GP saddle, a custom-made dressage saddle or something in between, good saddle fit is essential to your horse’s welfare.

We asked Ruth Spencer, a master saddle fitter who also serves on the board of Society of Master Saddlers (SMS) assessors, to explain how often you really need to get your saddle checked and answer some other need-to-know questions about saddle fitting.

How often should you get your saddle checked?

As a general rule, saddles should be checked at least every six to 12 months.

“This is in line with guidance from the Society of Master Saddlers,” Ruth explains, “however, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Horses in regular work, young horses, those changing shape through training, or those coming back into work after time off may need more frequent checks.

“In contrast, a mature horse in consistent, light work with a stable condition may be fine with annual checks – but it’s important not to become complacent, as subtle changes can still occur over time,” she warns.

What factors affect saddle fit?

A horse’s shape is not static, so saddle fit can change for a variety of reasons, but riders can also affect how the saddle fits and performs, Ruth explains.

These factors include:

• changes in horse weight
• muscle development (or loss)
• fitness levels
• age
• workload
• seasonal factors, such as availability of grazing
• changes in rider weight
• rider position or balance

Additionally, the saddle itself can alter over time through flocking compression, wear or tree movement.

What can owners do between checks to ensure good fit?

There are several simple but effective checks owners can do regularly, Ruth reveals.

You should look for:

• Even contact and balance – the saddle should sit level and not tip forward or back
• Clearance and symmetry – check there is adequate clearance over the withers and that the saddle sits evenly on both sides
• Horse’s way of going – monitor changes in performance, willingness, or behaviour under saddle

“Consistently running your hands under the panels and observing your horse before and after work can help you pick up early signs of change,” she advises.

Signs a saddle doesn’t fit as well as it should

Common indicators include:

• uneven sweat patterns
• dry patches
• ruffled hair under the saddle
• reluctance to be tacked up
• resistance under saddle
• hollowing
• change in performance
• muscle wastage
• soreness
• sensitivity when grooming around the saddle area

Who can check saddle fit?

Owners should look for a fitter qualified through the SMS, such as a qualified saddle fitter (QSF). This ensures they have undergone recognised training, assessment, and adhere to professional standards. You can find more information about saddle fitting qualifications at mastersaddlers.co.uk.

Ruth adds that “ongoing professional development and insurance are also important indicators of a reputable practitioner”.

Regarding specific brands, Ruth says that a well-qualified, independent saddle fitter should be able to assess a wide range of saddles.

“Some brands do have specific design features, however, so a fitter with experience or training in that brand can be beneficial in some cases,” she adds.

“Ultimately, the priority should be the fitter’s qualifications, experience, and ability to work objectively in the horse’s best interest.”

How long does a standard saddle fit check take?

A standard saddle check typically takes 45–90 mins. It should include assessing the horse statically and in motion, templating, evaluating the saddle on and off the horse, checking flocking and balance, and observing the rider where possible.

Any necessary adjustments, such as flocking, may be carried out on the day or scheduled for a later date.

How much does saddle fitting cost?

As with many costs of keeping a horse, prices can vary depending on location and the level of service, Ruth explains, but costs “typically range from around £50 to £100 for a standard check, with additional costs for adjustments such as reflocking”.

She advises that it is always worth clarifying what’s included in the fee before booking an appointment.

“I struggle to find someone willing to check a saddle they haven’t sold me” – any advice?

Ruth agrees that this is a common frustration, but says “there are good fitters who will assess any saddle objectively”.

She suggests searching the SMS register to find qualified professionals in your area.

“When contacting fitters, be upfront about your needs – many will offer a check-and-advice service even if you’re not looking to purchase. Building a relationship with a trusted fitter over time can also make future appointments easier,” says Ruth.

“It’s worth remembering that an ethical, professional fitter’s priority should always be the welfare of the horse, regardless of where the saddle was purchased.”

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Poles are a useful tool to improve the quality and balance of your horse’s paces, strengthening the core and boosting cadence. You don’t need intricate patterns and dozens of poles to work on the canter – this polework exercise to improve canter quality requires just three or four poles.

Aims

• to improve your horse’s canter quality
• work on the quality and balance of your horse’s canter
• help the rider to feel the canter rhythm and see a distance

The setup

You need: three or four poles

Setup:

• Place three or four poles on a straight line with approximately 3m between each (adjust this according to what suits your horse or pony, aiming for an easy, balanced canter).
• If setting up in an arena, place the poles in the middle of the long side, so that you have sufficient space both to approach and after.

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, ride a good corner to give a straight approach to the canter poles, counting your horse’s strides out loud.
• Focus on the centre of the poles and aim to canter smoothly over them in the same rhythm, without your horse having to stretch or chip.
• If your horse is rushing, sit up and half-halt. If your horse is struggling to reach each pole, keep your leg on, and if that still doesn’t work, shorten the distance so he is comfortable.

You can repeat this exercise several times on each rein, aiming for a regular, relaxed canter rhythm without resistance.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. I can’t see a stride

If you keep getting the distance to the first pole wrong, the whole exercise can disintegrate with poles flying everywhere. It may be too much for your horse to handle mentally, so start with just one pole and practise cantering into that. Once you’ve nailed meeting a single pole correctly, build back up to three or four poles – avoid two as that encourages your horse to jump the lot.

2. My horse rushes towards the poles on the approach

Sit up and ask your horse to halt and stand as soon as he grabs the bit. Reassure him, then quietly turn away and approach again. Keep asking him to stop and stand until he approaches on your terms.

3. My horse jumps the poles

Some horses just do! Repeat the exercise a few times until hopefully he relaxes and canters through quietly. Don’t worry too much if he jumps them, so long as he’s maintaining his canter quality.

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New data on the average price of riding school lessons has highlighted the rising cost of learning to ride and reopened the conversation about pressures riding schools face in today’s economy.

Booking platform EC Pro collected anonymous lesson booking and pricing data through its system from more than 200 UK riding schools and equestrian centres in 2025.

It analysed the information and has created a 2026 price guide, which a spokesperson told H&H is designed to provide an “indicative snapshot of the current market and highlight broader pricing trends […] rather than create a formal industry index”.

The average price for a one-hour adult group lesson ranged from £31 in the north west of England to £54 in the south east. For children, this ranged from £31 in the same region, to £53 in London. Nationally, 30-minute adult group lessons average around £35.

“Affordability matters if we want to keep the sport accessible. Horse riding is an incredibly valuable activity for so many people, but for many who like the idea of riding – or experienced riders – it can feel increasingly expensive,” said EC Pro chief executive Beth Lothian.

“What this data shows is that there is no single ‘normal’ price. Costs vary significantly depending on where you are in the country and the type of lesson or activity you’re booking.

“At the same time, unlike most service businesses, riding schools are also running a full-time animal welfare operation and the horses don’t care what the economy is doing.”

She added: “For riding schools, this is not just about pricing. It is about communication, customer trust and long-term retention.

“If customers understand what goes into the experience they are paying for, and if the booking experience is straightforward and professional, they are far more likely to keep coming back. That is a responsibility for all in the equestrian world.”

British Horse Society (BHS) chief operating officer Sarah Phillips said that riding schools are the “backbone of equestrianism in Britain”.

“They provide vital access to horses for people of all ages and backgrounds, while promoting education, wellbeing and high standards of horse welfare. For many riders, a riding school is where their journey with horses first begins,” she told H&H.

“However, riding schools continue to face significant challenges in 2026, including rising operating costs, staffing shortages and increasing pressure on affordability for participants. Many centres are working incredibly hard to maintain lessons, care standards and accessibility within their local communities, despite ongoing financial pressures and increasing operational demands.”

Ms Phillips added that the BHS continues to support riding schools and equestrian businesses through practical guidance, professional development opportunities and access to industry expertise, to help centres “build resilience and adapt to changing demands”.

“At BHS, we continue to support riding schools and equestrian businesses through practical guidance, professional development opportunities and access to industry expertise, helping centres build resilience and adapt to changing demands,” she said. “From business support and workforce development initiatives to training and networking opportunities, we remain committed to supporting a sustainable and accessible future for equestrian businesses across Britain.”

‘At entry level, practically every sport is free – but not riding’

Tim Downes runs successful riding school Ingestre Stables near Stafford, which has clients from across the UK and the world. He told H&H that the challenge for riding schools of finding the balance between being accessible for those wanting to learn to ride and the realities of running a business involving horses is “massive”.

“One of the things that I feel quite strongly about is that any sport is potentially very expensive to be deeply involved in, in terms of competing, travelling and facilities – not just riding. In any sport, if they commit, want to proceed and move up levels, they’re going to have to commit a lot of time and money – but at entry level, practically every sport in this country is free,” he said. “But riding isn’t”.

He added that several years ago, Ingestre tried to encourage various organisations to look at centres to effectively start a foundation that would help give people that first taste. The stables ran free 20-minute private sessions for kids up to the age of 12, and children could come four times.

“We ran it for two years, and it was hugely successful, but we’re a lone voice,” he said. “If we could encourage every riding school in the country to do that – if we could find a sponsor or get it funded somehow – it would help the whole industry hugely.”

Among the other pressures he mentioned is the challenge presented by unlicensed “backyard riding schools”. By not running as proper businesses, these avoid the regulation and taxes that apply to properly run riding schools.

He noted that this can affect market value, lead to confusion among clients as to the differences they are paying for when riders move to a well-run riding establishment, and that tighter regulation is needed.

• View EC Pro’s 2026 price guide

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Rein-back from the ground involves working with your horse, unridden, to train him to step backwards calmly and without resistance in response to simple cues.

We use groundwork exercises to teach our horses cues from the ground, so that they clearly understand what is being asked, while also improving balance, suppleness, coordination and core strength.

Aims

• establish good manners, relaxation and softness from the ground
• engage your horse’s core and achieve response to your cues or aids
• release tension and relax your horse

The setup

You will need:

• Usual bridle, without reins (or twisted and secured inside the throat-lash), or a training halter or lunging cavesson
• Lunge line or long rope
• Schooling whip

No setup required: you can do this in an arena, outside the stable, in a field or on the yard if you have sufficient space.

How to rein-back from the ground

If your horse is wearing a bridle, attach the lunge line or long rope to the opposite bit ring to whichever side you are standing, and thread the line through the inside bit ring. For a headcollar, have the rope attached behind the chin. For a lunging cavesson, have the line attached to the central ring at the front.

• Position yourself facing the horse’s tail while standing slightly to one side of the horse’s head, with the horse standing fairly square.
• Applying gentle downward pressure to the rope, to ask the horse to step back, while using your voice to say “back”.
• You can also point the whip towards the horse’s front hooves or chest to encourage the horse to step backwards.
• As soon as the horse takes one step backwards, release the pressure and praise the horse.
• Wait for a moment to allow the horse to process what they’ve learnt, then repeat the cue or ask.
• Halt and stand still for a few moments.
• Lift the rope and step backwards yourself to encourage the horse forwards one or two steps, then stop to stand again.
• If the horse doesn’t understand the cue to walk forwards, point the whip behind the girth, following up with a light touch if needed.

You can repeat this exercise several times until the horse understands what you are asking and will move forward and back confidently without resistance. To start with he may only manage one or two strides, but you can build up to six or more.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. Diagonal pairs

You want to see the horse stepping cleanly backwards moving his legs in diagonal pairs, rather than shuffling or dragging their feet.

2. Good foundations

Reaching rein-back from the ground early in a horse’s training can help prevent the horse from learning to lean on you when you are handling them from the ground. Once it is established on the ground, the horse should understand the movement much more easily when ridden.

3. No rushing

The aim is for the horse to step back deliberately and confidently, in a relaxed frame with his poll at a similar height to his withers. You want to avoid the horse becoming tight in the neck or back and raising the head during this movement. If this happens stop, give the horse a moment to relax, and then ask again.

4. Pre-ride softness

This is a great warm-up exercise to do before riding, especially if your horse is sharp, as it encourages him to slow down and work with you without too much pressure. You can also do it tacked up, just secure the stirrups so they don’t bang on your horse’s sides.

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Riding accurate corners is one of the simplest ways to improve a dressage test. Just as importantly, riders must be able to show a clear difference between the corners of the arena and a 20m circle at either end.

Too often, horses drift through the corners as though riding part of a circle, losing both balance and accuracy, but this polework exercise will create a visual guide to help you clearly distinguish between riding a corner and riding a circle.

Aims

• Improve rider understanding of the accuracy points of a 20m circle
• Encourage your horse to bend correctly through the body
• Maximise the benefit of riding purposeful corners in a test

The setup

You need: two poles

Setup: Place one pole in each corner either side of C, positioned slightly off the track and pointing diagonally towards the centre of the arena.

How to ride the exercise

1. Begin in walk. Ride around the end of first pole, then continue straight along the short side towards A or C. Focus on maintaining a straight line after the turn without allowing the horse to drift.

2. From A or C, begin a 20m circle. Your horse should leave the track to cross the first pole, touch the long side at the correct point, cross the centre line in the middle of the circle, touch the opposite long side evenly, then cross the second pole before returning to A or C.

3. After completing the circle, continue straight along the short side and ride around the end of the pole through the corner. The key is to clearly show the difference between the circle and the corner. For the corner, think about pushing the horse into the turn from your inside leg while controlling the line and balance from the outside aids. Once the exercise feels established in walk, repeat it in trot and then progress to canter.

Pitfalls to avoid

1. Lack of bend on the circle

Many horses fall through the shoulder or overbend in the neck without truly bending through the body. Prepare the circle before leaving the track by asking for a slight flexion at the poll to the inside. Then focus on riding a genuinely curved line, turning every stride rather than making one large steering movement. Keep the inside leg at the girth to encourage bend and maintain the horse’s balance.

2. Rushing

Some horses anticipate the poles and quicken towards them. Maintain a consistent tempo by paying attention to your seat and rhythm in each pace. Use well-timed half-halts to rebalance the horse and encourage them to sit more on the hindquarters rather than running forwards.

3. Breaking from canter

In canter, horses often lose balance in the corners and drop back to trot. Think of riding a shorter, more collected canter through the corner, keeping the strides active and bouncy. On the circle, allow the canter to travel slightly more forwards before rebalancing again for the next corner. Pole placement should always suit the horse’s training level. A prelim horse will not be expected to ride as deep or as collected a corner as a horse working at elementary or above.

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You can practise this simple flatwork exercise in just five minutes, or use it every now and then in a regular schooling session to encourage engagement. All you need is to establish shoulder-in in trot, and you’re away.

Aims

• to improve your horse’s engagement in canter
• to use shoulder-in to encourage your horse to engage his hindleg in the upward transition from trot

The setup

No setup required: you can do this in the arena or even out hacking, but the arena fence is handy to help you judge the alignment of your shoulder-in.

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, trot down the long side of the arena in shoulder-in, showing the appropriate amount of bend.
• Your horse’s footfalls should be on three tracks: the outside hind, the diagonal pair (inside hind and outside fore) and the inside fore, with your horse bending uniformly around the inside leg from poll to tail.
• Ask for a canter transition as you move on to a circle. As your horse should be nicely engaged from the shoulder-in, this should encourage an engaged uphill canter with the hindquarters working well.
• Maintain the quality of canter as you continue around the circle.

Tips and troubleshooting

1. The correct bend

In the shoulder-in, as a rider you should be able to see your horse’s inside eye if you glance down. If you use too much inside bend, the outside shoulder will fall out, which will compromise your canter transition.

If the hindquarters drift out, your outside leg needs to support your horse more strongly behind the girth.

2. No crossing the hand

A common problem is to cross the inside hand over the neck as you try to flex the horse to the inside. This encourages the shoulder to fall out, so keep each hand on its own side of the neck with the outside rein to support the shoulders.

3. Starting collection

This exercise will be even more beneficial if the horse is able to collect a little in the trot, as this lightens the forehand for an uphill, balanced transition.

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This polework exercise using five poles is designed to improve your horse’s suppleness and manoeuvrability in trot. The poles are used as focus points to structure your training exercise, rather than for stepping over.

Aims

• to improve rider accuracy
• to confirm correct use of inside and outside leg
• to improve the horse’s coordination and suppleness

The setup

You need: five poles

Setup: place five poles on a straight line with five metres between each. Then pull the second and fourth poles to one side but keeping them in the same plane.

Ensure there is sufficient space to the side of each pole so that you can walk around the ends – don’t place them against the fence line.

How to ride the exercise

• Once warmed up, establish an active trot.
• The aim is not to trot over the poles, but around them, ensuring a uniform bend through your horse’s body on both reins.
• Start with the first pole in the line of three poles and ride a pear-drop shaped loop around that, ensuring the horse is bending through his whole body. Then change the bend in an offset figure of eight to perform another pear-drop shaped loop around the first of the line of two poles.
• Repeat with the next two poles in the sequence.
• When it comes to the final pole, make a wider loop and come up the middle of the two lines in a mini slalom. Instead of big wide loops with lots of bend, it’s now about creating a little bit of bend in the ribcage. The horse needs to be listening to the rider and have quick reactions.

The challenge is to do it efficiently with the horse maintaining the ideal tempo and creating the correct shapes, neither falling in or out through the shoulder and quarters.

Tips

1. Start slow

If this exercise is too demanding in trot, try it first in walk (or try this exercise) until the horse understands your aids and what you are asking of him.

2. Perfection by polework

Polework is a great way for riders to monitor whether they are achieving something when riding on their own, because they require accuracy. If you aren’t accurate, you will miss or hit the poles. When you’re just riding around the arena without physical markers, it’s harder to judge your accuracy.

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