VideoDo you ever feel that you are sending your horse conflicting messages while you are jumping? Instead of using strong and sometimes conflicting aids while riding, this exercise will help you work on communicating with your horse using subtle aids and riding softly. It is easy to set up and can go in any size ring. It’s also scalable—you can make it very easy or more difficult without having to change the setup. I can do this exercise with my 3-year-olds who are just getting started, all the way to my grand prix jumpers and Advanced-level eventers.
The Setup
Study the diagram. You’ll need two verticals, eight tennis balls or cones and two poles. Position two poles parallel to each other in the middle of the ring to create a lane, and put the verticals at opposite ends of the ring. Set the fences to a height that feels like a real jump for you and your horse but is a comfortable height. Place two sets of four tennis balls on a diagonal on the track between the verticals and lane of poles to create inside, middle and outside tennis-ball lanes for you and your horse to pass through while riding the exercise.
