The Top 50 Exercises on The Flat Every Rider Should Learn
A simple checklist for instructors, trainers and independent horseback riders,
to make sure they have covered all of the basics on the flat.
Mount and Dismount
Pick up and hold reins correctly
Shorten and lengthen reins
Drop and pick up stirrups with feet, no hands
Check girth, tighten girth under saddle
Walk
Trot
Canter
Gallop
Halt from the seat only
The following seat
Turning the horse from the rider's seat only
Proper biomechanics of the alternating leg aids
The following contact
Turn on the haunches
Turn on the forehand
Rein back
Half circle reverse
Changing direction across the diagonal
Lengthening the reins to allow the horse to stretch and gathering them back up in all of the working gaits, without losing connection
Leg yielding off of both sides
Quickly and easily changing between a full seat (three point position) and a two point position
Posting on the correct diagonal
Cantering on the correct lead
True bend
Counter bend
Simple change of canter lead through the trot
Shoulder fore
Shoulder in
Shoulder out
Haunches in
Haunches out
Figure eight
Serpentine
Walk poles
Trot poles
Canter poles
Psoas release in the saddle to find a neutral balance in the seat
Discovering the proper alignment of your foot in the stirrup
Riding in all gaits with a wand across both hands to make sure your hands are in the proper upright alignment
Pulley Rein, Emergency Stops
No stirrups at walk, trot and canter
20m Circle
15m Circle
10m Circle
Sitting trot
Jumping position in walk, trot and canter
Trot over a course of groundpoles
Canter over a course of groundpoles
Ride in the open with control
While this list does not encompass every single thing beginner riders should learn, it is a great starting point. There are many more lessons to be learned as student's go up through the levels, but I hope this helps you get started.
