Warming up and Cooling Down

Dressage training with Charlie Hutton

Petplan Equine have teamed up with Charlie Hutton from the renowned Talland equestrian to produce a series of videos to help dressage riders care for their horses, prevent illness and injury where possible and to help them achieve those extra marks

http://www.petplanequine.co.uk/area-festivals/training-videos.asp

Warming up and cooling down

• Start by walking your horse for ten minutes.

• Use stretching exercises including transitions within and between the gaits to help your horse relax.

• Keep the horse switched on in the cool down phase working in trot and canter, but work him in a looser frame allowing him to stretch.

• After your cool down, walk your horse for ten minutes - if possible outside of the school or exercise area, such as a short hack, so that he can relax.

• Remember when warming up and cooling down you are working on the horse’s whole body.