#18 Slow Corners

Appropriate gaits: Walk, Trot, Canter

Instructions:

Ride around the ring.  Before the short side corner, down-shift to a lower gait (or halt for 3 seconds if walking). After turning onto the long side, transition up.  If your arena is large, down-shift in each corner.

Repeat: 3 times around the ring per direction.

Focus: Start half-halting early so that you get an instant transition when you ask.

Focus: Forward down-transitions.

Focus: Forward up-transitions.

Tip: Some horses will get strong during this exercise or ignore your half-halts.  Perform down transitions earlier, or even halt and change direction, if needed to reinforce your aids.

Good for: Forwardness, half-halts, responsiveness.