A Simple Plan for a 30-Minute Horse Riding Session

If you have a busy schedule but still want to give your pony some exercise and training, a 30-minute riding session can be just what you need. In this article, we’ll provide a simple plan for a 30-minute horse riding session, including what you can do to help school your pony.

1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes)
   Start with a few minutes of walking your pony to get their muscles warmed up and ready for exercise. Walk your pony in a relaxed and rhythmic way, encouraging them to stretch their neck and back. This is also a good time to check that your pony is responding to your aids.
2. Trot Work (15 Minutes)
   Once your pony is warmed up, start working in trot. You can do a simple exercise such as riding circles, serpentines or leg yields to help improve your pony’s balance and suppleness. Ensure that you maintain a consistent contact with the reins, and encourage your pony to stretch over their topline while maintaining a steady rhythm.
3. Canter Work (5 Minutes)
   Next, introduce some canter work. Canter is a more strenuous gait, so limit your time in canter to around 5 minutes. You can do simple exercises like canter circles or transitions between trot and canter. Ensure that you maintain a balanced and steady pace, and don’t overdo it.
4. Cool Down (5 Minutes)
   Finish your ride with a few minutes of walking to allow your pony to cool down. Walk in a relaxed and rhythmic way, encouraging your pony to stretch its neck and back. This is also a good time to check that your pony is relaxed and responding to your aids.

School Your Pony During a 30-minute riding session

It’s important to make the most of this time to help school your pony. Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Focus on quality over quantity:
  In a short session, it’s better to do a few exercises well than many exercises poorly. Focus on the quality of your riding, your pony’s responsiveness to your aids, and their overall balance and suppleness.
• Be consistent:
  Ensure that you are consistent in your aids, and that you ride with a steady and clear contact. This will help your pony understand what is expected of them.
• Offer praise:
  When your pony does something well, offer praise to reinforce good behavior. This can be a simple pat on the neck or a kind word.
• Be patient:
  Remember that training takes time, and that your pony will not learn everything in one session. Be patient, and continue to work with your pony over time to build their skills and confidence.

A 30-minute riding session can be a great way to give your pony exercise and training, even if you have a busy schedule. With a simple plan and a focus on quality and consistency, you can help school your pony and build a strong partnership.