What’s Up With Your Warm Up?

You may be familiar with the term ‘warming up’ but when it comes right down to it, are you comfortable with the how, why, where, what and when of it?

 

Let’s combine lessons learnt from decades spent in the worlds of western horses, driving and dressage. Once we have a warm up goal, we can tailor it to fit our individual horses and disciplines… and get off to a good start, each and every ride.

 

So, what’s a warm up?

In a nutshell, this is whatever it takes to have our horses and ourselves – mentally and physically – ready to perform.

 

Why are we doing it?

We warm up to avoid injury, to maximize our talents, to make the most of our training. By planning our warm up, we have a tool that allows us to peak at the moment we need to shine.

 

Competitive horses are not the only ones needing a warm up! Ranch or trail riding horses benefit from standing saddled a while, then moving their feet around, if it’s cold out or if they’re feeling humpy. Depending on our working horse, he might need to walk, or long trot, or lope, the first mile out before he’s ready to cope with the demands of the day.

 

Our goals may differ but in many ways, an effective warm up is very much the same, regardless of our discipline or the horse or pony we’re handling. Too often, we lack any clarity when we throw a leg over our horse. We want to be adjustable in the event of crazy weather or time scheduling but being able to ‘roll with the punches’ is no reason to forego our schooling goals. It shouldn’t take forty-five minutes before our horse is able to behave himself, or to perform. We like to think that within about ten to fifteen minutes, our horse will – mentally and physically – be ready for anything.

 

How do we do it?

When it comes to setting our horses and ponies up for success, we always recommend saddling them for at least half an hour before we ride. This is because most horse wrecks happen during the first few minutes we’re mounted. If our horse is saddled somewhat loosely, tied and left to think and stand quietly, maybe finish up his hay, it allows that his mind and back will ‘warm up’ some before anyone climbs aboard.

 

We never just tighten our saddles and swing up but move our horses’ feet around, either on a long rein or in a ground driven circle, if they are green. If I feel that I must lunge them, I’ll do so in a quiet corner. My goal is to shorten the amount of time a horse needs this lungeing warm-up, until the need is no longer there. Older horses are turned around to face the other way, once or twice, unlocking them, if you will. Should you have to do this on a well-trained horse? Heck no, but it’s a very good habit to get into. This is old-fashioned thinking from grandfather’s era – and like many such remedies, bears consideration, no matter the saddles we ride.

 

Once we’re mounted, we want to encourage our horses to stretch and relax, to start with.  By stretching through the top line, we turn what is essentially our horse’s weak spot, that place just behind the saddle, into the strong arching span of a bridge. This one thing frees him up to swing through from behind… his hind leg will reach under and carry him… his shoulders will reach freely and smoothly ahead. Too often, we see riders mounting up, taking hold of their horses and getting straight to work. Unfortunately, this approach is a false economy of time.

 

Instead, I teach my horses to go long and low at regular intervals all through our schooling rides.  They learn to crave the endorphins that come with stretching… and it’s an easier thing to teach when horses are working at home and are just a bit tired.   When we get to the show, this stretching is a fail-safe method to calm the horse and make him our willing partner, whether in harness or under saddle.

Remember this: relaxation truly is the secret to horsemanship. If we hurt, or are tense, brilliance is impossible!

 

What are we doing?

Step one begins with what we’ll call our “freestyle” ride. It is based on the all-important “STRETCH!”

 

We relax, use a verbal cue and slowly give with our reins, allowing our horse or pony to reach towards the bit and arch his top line. This stretching to the bit is the fundamental goal of all riding or driving, regardless of discipline, and in the name of collection, is so often left out of training. Note that he may be too fresh to stretch fully and might need to get rolling along.

 

When it’s time to trot, we rise slowly and smoothly on a loose rein, letting our horse pick the pace. If he’s quick and erratic, he needs to learn that he will be trotting until he’s got some rhythm and self-control. Sometimes this means staying in the warm up ring and missing a few classes. He will be kept trotting until he decides to slow down. We know we’re getting ready for step two, when the pony feels like he needs a bit of pushing on.

 

Step two is keeping to the long, swingy trot but asking the horse to stretch downward. As my horse learns to relax and stretch, steps one and two practically merge. He knows that throughout all our warm up and schooling sessions, we will return to asking for stretch. This always eases his muscles and more than pushing him on, encourages him to swing through from behind.

 

If my horse or pony refuses to reach for the bit, I know instantly that our training has gone off-track somewhere. I know that he is not ready to work well or compete while his body is resistant, or while his mind is in the clouds. A well-balanced animal will happily stretch his nose to the ground at the trot all the way round the arena. This is such a good feeling, for both of us. When this stretching at trot happens, it’s time for the next step.

 

Step three means it’s time to shift gears… Unlike so many others who warm up, I want my horse to really move out! Even if his event is one based on collection or slowness, my goal is still to put my legs on at the lope or canter and have him step as far underneath himself as his conformation will allow. I don’t want him canted-in or angled, I don’t want to influence his head carriage or speed… I want him as straight as he can be, just moving on.

 

Note that if I am warming up a driving horse, I will generally stay to the trot. Cantering in harness is a good, ’rounding’ exercise… but it is not something that should ever be done in a crowd.  I leave my cantering in harness to be done when we are alone on home turf. When it comes to warming up a driving horse at an event, we must err on the side of caution. The more horses warming up together, the more difficult and essential this is!

 

Ridden or driven, at home or at the competition, we will be doing large bendy shapes, big circles and serpentines, some perimeter work and changing reins on the diagonal. If my horse is young, unfit or rehabilitating his body, I will do this warm-up work in a half-seat. I will get my weight off his back and allow him to raise his back up to me. 

Once he’s rhythmic and everybody is staring at us because, frankly, we’re looking weird…

 

It’s time for step four. We go back to our “STRETCH”, this time at the lope or canter. This is so difficult for the horse because unless his back end is engaged, he will feel as though he’s falling face-first into the ground.

 

If it feels as though you’re always holding your horse together, this step is gonna rock your world. If you’re reining him in to control his speed, don’t. You’re setting yourself up for a never-ending argument. The horse needs to take ownership for his speed control! So keep it simple. Lope or canter lots, teach him to stretch, and repeat and repeat until… he keeps his rhythm without help, he trusts our hand, he reaches roundly down to the bit without any interference.

 

This step can take forever. We have such control issues about horses cantering too fast. We refuse to allow horses to learn this one simple truth: that excess speed equals excess effort. Instead of crediting them this intelligence, we turn third gear into a tug of war that we will never win.

 

If the horse is loping so fast that we may fall, I stop, regroup and start over. A horse or pony who lacks the balance to carry himself can not regain this canter balance once he has lost it. This means that I don’t keep careening around, pulling helplessly. Most importantly, I believe in wet saddle blankets, in building up our joint fitness to lope or canter for ten or fifteen minutes in one time chunk, without a break. It’s knowing that third gear could last a while, is what gets them conserving their strength. Most horses that struggle with their lope or canter need to do much more of it, in the familiarity of home.

To recap step four, we want a rhythmically forward canter with the horse stretching down to the bit. It is this ability to hold the stretch that will allow your horse to maintain a steady carriage and not the on-again, off-again contact that’s so often the norm.

 

Step five is where the fun begins. Without working your reins or fingers, just hold the reins at the length your class requires. Road hacks and hunters can go long and low, western pleasure horses on draped reins, show hacks and driving ponies can be made beautifully soft and round. No matter the desired frame, after this stretching, the horse will always be slightly in front of vertical and will have the poll as his highest point. This one exercise will improve the movement of his trot and canter beyond all recognition.

 

Best of all, this is true self-carriage and will require no undue effort from either of you! No tension in the neck, no head bobbing, no see-sawing or messing with his mouth. If you’re having to work to keep him round, you’re missing the point of this warm-up. Do not be one of the riders nagging, holding the horse in, riding with straight elbows, forcing the horse in position! Just stop where you’re at and go back to step two…

 

Step six means that it’s time to self-test. A properly stretched and relaxed horse or pony has a rounded top line. His neck and front will appear far longer than will his back. The rider will indeed be sitting atop the strong span of a bridge. Watch your horse’s shoulders free up and his entire expression soften!

 

If he’s truly straight and working off your legs, your horse will have a slight bend to the inside, without any use of the bridle. Without any use of the inside rein. A quick look at level ears and eyes will tell you if your horse is keeping his inside shoulder up on the turns. Only now, only when he is going in front of our leg and softly in our hands, relaxed and focused, is it time to introduce the movements that will be part of his judged ride. If possible, skim lightly over these and leave the very best your horse has to offer, for the judge and audience to enjoy. This takes courage.

Voila! These logical steps become the formula that is practiced until both you and he quickly relax into it at home. Once followed, they become the recipe for a winning and joyful ride. Yes, this is both hard and easy. Stick with the steps and if you have trouble, calmly go back to the step that your horse managed before.

 

If your horse is having trouble in his warm up, relying on this method means that you can solve problems without becoming emotional or stressed. You have the tools.

 

When do we know we’re warmed up?

Generally speaking, we know we’re warmed up when our horse is soft and focused and accepts being gently pushed on. He will be able to be ridden more into ’roundness’ and his active hind end will allow him to lighten his front.

 

That said, do you know exactly how long your warm up takes before your horse is ready to show? Whatever our discipline, the problem of leaving our best performance in the warm up ring is all too common.

 

I showed a driving pony for years before I finally tried using a stop watch, clicking on at the start of her warm up and clicking off when she was going her best: forward, elastic, happy, “full of jam”. Guess how long for her to give one hundred per cent? Four to six minutes, tops, every single time!

 

I realized that the judges were seeing us WAAAAAY past our “best before” date, when she was losing her natural brilliance and getting tired of my nerves. Often, we’d be starting to bicker just before we’d enter the ring. It took a lot of self-control to just stop and wait our turn, while the competition was out there, honing their skills.

 

As soon as I acknowledged the need to stick to our program, the results spoke volumes. Every horse will be different. The flip side, of course, is the horse needing time to settle, the one who doesn’t stand a chance when we cut it close and are rushing around. The solution is to make it a practice to time our horse in different scenarios – at home and away, in hot weather and cold, indoors and out – to find out how long she or he really needs to get ‘er done.

 

Some horses need what seems ages to get focused, stretching, needing our leg on. Others take ten minutes, tops. Your goal is a forward, slow-legged, swingy ride with everybody smilin’… and without half an hour on the lunge.

This year, vow not to leave your winning round in the hitching ring… nail it in front of the judge!

 

Where are we going to use this?

With show season fast approaching, I invite you to give this a real effort, starting at home, of course. Proper stretching means you’ll be rebuilding your horse’s attitude and his top line. It means making this warm up a regular routine. Your horse has to be as comfortable trotting and cantering onto a long rein, as he is touring around at a walk. This is so practical at home before and periodically throughout every ride, out and about while you’re working cattle, before lessons and clinics, showing your horse before potential buyers, before you set foot into the competitive arena, no matter your sport.

 

Once more, with feeling…

I’m generally starting stretching work on a snaffle, using two hands. Eventually, I can do this exercise in any bit my horse is comfortable with, even if riding one-handed. By starting at a halt or relaxed walk, I caress the mouth gently and as the pony gives to the bit, I say “Good boy! Stretch!” I’m ready to really lean forward in a half-seat and give through the whole arm as soon as they go low and round.

 

By building up, step by step, the horse or pony is willing to reach to the bridle at walk, then trot, then canter… and will happily keep his head up and vertical if I just shorten my reins. It’s a magical way to communicate relaxation.

 

Most horses and ponies are clear about whether they prefer to ‘whoa, or go’. It’s a mistake to think that only the energetic ones need a warm up… if you’re going to compete or challenge him in any way, the lazy boy needs to get in the game! We might walk for a minute or two, asking him to bridle up for a few strides, then stretch for at least as many. We want to offer him the reins and have him reach with his nose to the ground.

 

Once his top line is stretched and he’s tracking up with the hind end, it’s time to energize and off we lope, first bridling up with a soft feel, then again asking him to stretch his nose towards the ground. Remember that whenever you get a soft feel and some roundness, you must reward by gently ‘turning him loose’ again. This reward system builds trust.

 

As soon as the horse is attentive, forward and carrying himself with a stretched top line, we consider him ready. Don’t make the mistake of warming up these laid-back fellows for too long.

 

The nervous or energetic horse is a little more challenging. Once again, use lots of walk, both bridling up and asking him to stretch. Instead of loping, though, we concentrate on the rising trot. Rhythmic rounding and stretching through the top line are our goals here. This stretching releases endorphins that will soothe and calm him. And yes, occasionally classes must to be missed until the horse is willing to accept our leg without checking out of Dodge!

 

We know we’re finally getting somewhere when our high energy ride needs a wee bit of pushing on.

 

If, at any time, your arm loses its straight line from the elbow through to the bit, you are not allowing the horse or pony to carry himself. You are forcing his head into position.

 

In case you missed it, the key to the warm up is stretching. Does this come easily? Nope. But stretching through the top line is key to good horsemanship, no matter your sport and one that is skipped all too often, particularly in competitions that focus on that dirty word, collection. If the term ‘self-carriage’ is of any interest to you, then it behooves your horse or pony to learn to stretch.

 

You – and he – will both learn to love warming up.

Thanks to my daughter, Cait, and the 13:2 Welsh-Arab pony, Ray, for showing us how it’s done. 

 

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