Poles for performance
PART THREE: TURNING POINT
Build your horse’s bending ability and supercharge his suppleness with one simple polework layout from expert Nina Gill
Working on your horse’s suppleness will help develop his strength, power and muscle tone, helping him be better balanced and therefore able to perform to
his full potential. But bending and suppling exercises don’t have to start and end with the same old schooling shapes and lateral work – did you know poles are a great tool to give you focus while achieving the desired results? Let’s take a closer look.
20 HORSE&RIDER
In this feature. . . Understand the elements of bending
As told to Sarah Burgess.
Photos: Jon Stroud
Create a supple, agile horse Keep your position in check
Our expert
Nina Gill is a BHS Stage 4 Coach based in Warwickshire. She has worked on a range of yards from riding schools to 5* event yards and is the owner of Fancy Footwork Equestrian.
Our models
Animal chiropractor Rebecca Stroud has competed in dressage up to Advanced Medium. She rides her 13-year-old Rubinero mare Remi Martini, known as Mini, who she’s owned since she was a foal.
In
the saddle
HORSE&RIDER 21
In this feature. . . Introduce your horse to different fences
schooling cross-country Go arena
Count them up and a cross-country course presents quite a diversity of challenges in the form of di erent types of obstacles for your horse to navigate. Dwell on them for too long and they might feel overwhelming, but by looking at them through your horse’s eyes and introducing them sympathetically, you’ll set him – and you – up for a successful round. Let’s get started.
Part 3: intro to fence types
As told to Rebecca Philpot.36 HORSE&RIDER
Photos: Jon Stroud
From roll-tops and skinnies to corners, ditches and arrowheads, eventer Felicity Collins shares her guide to cross-country fences
Build his confidence Prepare to tackle technical questions
Our expert
Our models
Felicity Collins is an international eventer based in Sussex who regularly coaches riders of all ages and abilities. She’s represented Britain successfully on a number of occasions and made her five-star debut in 2021, finishing in the top 10.
Cum Laude Bright Z (Betty) is a 10-year-old mare owned by Sophie Lunshof. She’s competed up to CCI2* and ended her 2022 season with a fourth place at Swalcli e.
HORSE&RIDER 37 In the saddle
Photos: Jon Stroud. With thanks to Stable Mind Yoga, stablemindyoga.co.uk
Our expert
Meditation mindfulness
Improve your mindset through yoga and meditation and you’ll notice a di erence in how your horse responds to you, says Kathryn Thakrar
As told to Nicky Mo att.
Kathryn Thakrar is a qualifi ed yoga instructor who uses various techniques to help riders with their wellbeing, fl exibility and fitness, enabling horse and rider to build a meaningful connection. She runs Stable Mind Yoga in Hertfordshire and owns her beloved Welsh section D gelding, Norman.
Have you ever tried meditation? Perhaps you think it’s not ‘your thing’. But what if I told you that regular meditation practice could improve your connection with your horse as well as your overall wellbeing? Interested now? Meditation has so many benefits for your everyday living, but it’s true that learning to incorporate it into your life takes some time. But, if you could have the following, wouldn’t you put in that time...?
• improved focus and concentration
• reduced stress and anxiety
• becoming more in the present moment
• better memory
• lower blood pressure
• a stronger immune system
• improved sleep patterns
Make a special space
Create a space at home where you can do your practice – a nice area where you can sit and breathe. You don’t need to have a lot of room. For example, I have a small corner in my bedroom where I like to sit.
When we meditate, we usually become aware of where our mind wanders and how distracted we can be in day-to-day life. Our minds are designed to think and help keep us safe, but this often leads to overthinking, which then takes us away from the present moment.
When we’re with our horses, being in the moment is all the more important because that’s exactly how horses live their whole lives. By being present with your horse in mind and body, you can have more open communication and establish a better connection, and meditation can really help you to achieve this. In order to be able to do this more easily, I suggest taking regular opportunities to be mindful with your daily tasks and set aside a little time to carry out a meditation practice each day.
If you’re comfortable with sitting on the floor, great – if not, a chair is fine. I have a cushion to sit on and, for extra comfort, two smaller cushions under each knee if I’m sitting cross-legged. You don’t need to have a special meditation cushion, but there are ones you can buy if you wish to.
Keep warm by wrapping a blanket or shawl around your shoulders. Our temperature often drops when we meditate and a blanket also makes us feel taken care of. You deserve that. I often have a lit candle or some flowers nearby. Whatever works for you is fine, just try to make the area special so you enjoy being there.
48 HORSE&RIDER
Mind matters
HORSE&RIDER 49
Some of the most mindful moments I’ve had have been with my horse
