Every equestrian professional knows that the warm-up and the cool-down are the two most essential parts of a riding lesson. Without them both horses and riders are in danger of soreness, injury and a host of other problems.
But how long should a warm-up last during riding lessons? And what should it entail? The answers depend on the type of riding lesson you are teaching, but never assume that the warm-up isn’t important.
Walking
In my experience, riding instructors do not have their students walk enough. There is a quote on the wall in my office: “The walk is the foundation for all riding.” I don’t remember where it came from, but it is true nonetheless.
The walk is not only important for warm-up in riding lessons, but also for cool-down and building a solid framework. If your riders cannot execute a move at the walk, why would you expect them to do it at the trot or canter?
My riders walk for a minimum of 5-7 full minutes when they first enter the arena. However, it isn’t simply ambling around the ring while I sit on the fence and chat with parents.
Turning
Horses and riders need to be limber in order to enjoy the full benefits of a riding lesson. Therefore, staying on the rail simply isn’t an option.
My riders walk, trot and canter many turns during their warm-up. I ask for 10-, 15- and 20-meter circles; serpentines in both directions; spirals from the rail and a host of other movements. This way, my riders can loosen up from the hips and waist while their horses achieve the correct bend.
This is also an opportunity to catch small mistakes that your students make during riding lessons. Don’t use warm-up as a chance to sit back and let the lesson begin to unfold; instead, get active. Talk to your students during their warm-up exercises about what they are doing incorrectly (and correctly) and why they are engaging in these specific exercises.
Cavaletti
Whatever you call them—cavaletti, trot poles, jump rails—these exercises force your riders to gain balance and control in the saddle. Furthermore, the horses will need to shorten and lengthen their strides, warming up their muscles, tendons and ligaments.
I keep a set of cavaletti set up in my arena at all times for use during riding lesson warm-ups. I adjust the spacing depending on the lesson, but those rails are designated for this specific purpose.
You can also use cavaletti for leg work during warm-ups, such as trotting through without stirrups, in two-point and other positions.
Reminders
While my students are warming up for riding lessons, I talk constantly. Sometimes, they might simply be trotting circles or serpentines, and when I don’t have anything else to say, I discuss the goals of the lesson.
I might remind them of what we worked on last week or forecast how the next few lessons will progress. Whatever the case, I use this time to put my riders in an education-oriented frame of mind.
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About the Author: Laura Jane Thompson is the Chief Equestrian Officer of Riding Instructor University and the Feature writer for the horses section at Suite101. She believes that any horse business can succeed provided its owner practices smart strategy.
