Dressage Arena Exercises

Download this chart of dressage arena exercises to help develop connection with your horse.

November 2012 Extra

The basics of dressage focus on asking your horse to move forward into contact in a relaxed manner so you can create a connection. To do this, you have to ride your horse from your legs, asking him to come into your hands. In the quest for connection, riders spend countless hours on the 20-meter circle. However, there are other figures and exercises you can use to avoid the boredom of repetitive circles. By doing exercises that require you to think about your horse’s bend and direction, you can improve his movement and find that connection.

Download the diagram above for some exercises you can use to practice in your arena at home. Get full descriptions of these exercises from Susan Friend LeTourneur in the November 2012 issue of Horse Illustrated.