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Better warm-up at competitions
Competition

Better warm-up at competitions

When I warm up at a competition, my horse tends to throw his head up in the halt, and then the score sheet says he looks unsure. How can I improve that?
Answers from HayHay's experts

Hi!

🐴 A common problem is that the horse drifts into the halt without bringing the hindquarters with him. The power from behind then travels forward through the horse, and to avoid taking a step forward he compensates by lifting his head. He may of course also be looking around out of curiosity, which is perfectly natural for a horse, but I suspect it comes down to strength and the ability to be precise in the transition from canter to halt.

🐴 Have you tried asking your coach for advice? You could perhaps drop down and start in slightly easier classes until you feel you have the horse steadily in front of the leg and into the bit.

πŸ¦„ I think this will come good nicely with training. Do vary your dressage sessions with both pole work and small fences on the ground, and riding and hacking out in the countryside. And do not forget that recovery is essential. It is the foundation for building strength and stamina and for consolidating what you are working on.

Good luck πŸ€—πŸ΄

Malin Axel-Nilsson
Malin Axel-Nilsson
Equine Ethologist
Last reviewed:
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