Dressage exercises

on Mules, Horses, and DIY

A discussion of this indispensable element in daily dressage training

Quick and Effective Flatwork Exercises Creating a proper flatwork routine and sticking to it is always a bit daunting. Even though we all know the benefits of a good warm-up followed by an effective flatwork session, most of us feel stuck in the arena questioning our improvement with our horses. This is especially the case with busy equestrians who have limited time. Is it impossible to create a flatwork routine that focuses on your improvement without taking too much time? No, it is not…

Dressage is imperative to build strong & consistent muscles in your horse. We will take you through 3 basic exercises you can do to improve..

Why and when to introduce your horse to lateral work - While they used to be predominantly the domain of prancing dressage horses, lateral movements like shoulder-in and haunches-in offer unrivaled conditioning effects for almost any equine athlete. Exercise science has shown them to be on par with gymnastic routines like hill repeats and cavalletti routines in terms of muscle recruitment, with a bonus of altering motor sensory patterns. Below I will explain how and why you might consider…

Things are getting a little more complicated this week! We’re going to head into a bit more challenge with non-progressive transitions (specifically walk/canter/walk) and a walk/canter straig…

The Refined Rider - Dressage - The turn on the forehand is a dressage exercise that can transform everything, yet many riders don't use it!