horses’ instincts, saddles and cooling down

Need some coaching suggestions from Ingrid Klimke? The eventing and dressage championship medallist shared some pearls of knowledge at Wellington Driving earlier this month…

1. Horse ought to exit each day: “Typically an proprietor will deliver a horse who’s 10 and say she’s not allowed to exit and I’ll say go away her right here two weeks and I’ll ship you a video of her grazing, going for a hack!”

2. Selection is vital in coaching. Even Ingrid’s dressage horses will practice over cavaletti and go up the racetrack.

3. Don’t change the routine earlier than a giant occasion: “Through the years I’ve learnt issues occur within the lorry, within the steady – if they will occur, they’ll occur. You need to hold horses as very like horses as you’ll be able to and hope they’ve the instincts to remain alive.”

4. Be aware about what order you experience horses and whether or not they exit earlier than or after work. “I experience those who want all their vitality for coaching first.”

5. Be versatile about competitors plans – you’ll have to make adjustments in line with the climate and floor and the way the horses are going. “We’ve one mare who’s delicate and she or he wants extra time to get better after competitions. When you’ve got 10 horses, you’ll have 10 schedules in thoughts.”

6. Horses want a break of seven or eight weeks after an extended format three-day occasion and nonetheless solely do one or two lengthy codecs a 12 months on the prime stage. Younger horses compete extra typically to achieve expertise.

7. Attempt to see a cross-country course via the horse’s eyes if you first stroll it – after which bear in mind you might be coming in canter.

8. As a coach, don’t attempt to change greater than three issues without delay. And bear in mind how troublesome it’s to vary a behavior.

9. In case you rush the fundamentals and miss out steps on the ladder, you’ll have to return and fill them in in the future. Take it step-by-step, be affected person.

10. Don’t attempt to practice one thing troublesome three days in a row – it gained’t be any higher on the third day. Lunge the horse on the third day, allow them to stretch ahead and down as a lot as they need, then begin once more the subsequent day.

11. Cooling down is admittedly essential after a take a look at, whether or not the horse comes out tense or has accomplished a very good take a look at, and after cross-country too. Stretch them in trot and generally even in canter in a light-weight seat.

12. It’s essential the saddle is snug for the rider in addition to the horse: “I choose saddles that don’t have large knee rolls, so I can shorten the stirrups and go for a hack or do a soar after dressage.”

13. Work exhausting on your self. At all times ask your self what you are able to do to be higher. And deal with the horse as your finest good friend.

You may additionally be all for:

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is filled with all the newest information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.

H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L stage, and has labored within the business on a prime occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest stage, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.