At Appaloo, we understand that starting a young horse under saddle is a key stage in its life as a leisure or competition mount: this is the time when trust, physical development, understanding of the aids, and the foundations of good communication are established.
To progress calmly, a young horse needs simple, progressive exercises, and above all, consistency from one schooling session to the next.
In this article, we will introduce you to 5 exercises suitable for young horses, directly inspired by the training sessions available in the Appaloo Equestrian app.
1. Trot-Walk-Trot Transitions
Session goal: balance, engagement, responsiveness to the aids.
Level: as soon as the young horse understands the aids for halting and moving forward.
Why is this exercise essential?
Transitions are the foundation of all schooling for a young horse. They allow you to:
- strengthen the hindquarters,
- establish a clear response to the rider’s aids,
- improve rhythm,
- develop impulsion and back stability.
The more progressive and controlled the transition, the better the muscular development.
Our tips
- First, ask for your aids on a straight line, then on a large circle.
- Seek to achieve a smooth, calm transition.
- Reward immediately when the horse responds correctly.
- Maintain the lightest possible contact on the reins.
2. Ground Poles at Trot / Canter
Goal: coordination, regularity, impulsion, proprioception.
Level: young horse already comfortable in all three gaits, and who knows how to walk over ground poles.
Why are ground poles perfect for a young horse?
Ground poles will allow you to:
- improve the symmetry of the movement,
- work on your horse’s proprioception,
- get a more attentive and focused horse,
- naturally strengthen the back and core muscles.
Our tips
- Start at the trot, with poles spaced 80 to 90 cm apart (you can use our automatic distance calculator to adjust it for your horse).
- Introduce the canter only when the passages are correct and steady at the trot.
- Maintain a regular rhythm: do not try to push the horse forward or hold him back. The poles will help him find the desired tempo.
3. Circles & Transitions
Goal: lateral balance, engagement, and regularity.
Level: horse already comfortable on large circles.
Why is this beneficial for young horses?
By combining circles and transitions, you ask the horse to:
- maintain the gait despite the curved line,
- carry himself on the shoulders without falling inwards,
- improve his coordination.
Our tips
- Prefer starting with 20 m circles, or even larger if you have enough space in the arena.
- Include transitions Walk ↔ Trot, then gradually Walk ↔ Halt.
- While on the circle, try to maintain a slight bend through your horse's body.
- Avoid letting your horse fall in on the circle: to help, support with your inside leg.
4. The Figure Eight
Objective: flexion, balance, control of the line, focus.
Level: ideal once the horse and rider have mastered riding curves.
Why is this an excellent exercise for a young horse?
The figure eight will teach the horse to:
- link changes of direction,
- mobilize its body on both reins,
- work on maintaining the same tempo despite changes of rein.
This is an exercise that may seem simple, but it is extremely educational for establishing the foundations of training.
Tips
- Keep circles wide at first (20 m).
- Do not seek a pronounced bend.
- Focus on the rhythm and the fluidity of the line.
- Gradually reduce the size of the circles according to the horse’s progress.
5. From Ground Poles to Jumps
Goal: confidence, impulsion, control before the jump.
Level: young horse calm at the trot and canter, accustomed to ground poles.
Why is this exercise useful for introducing jumping?
Adding a small jump or cavaletti after a ground pole allows the young horse to:
- help regulate its rhythm thanks to the setup,
- take the time to break down its jump,
- build confidence by gradually increasing the height of the fence.
This is an ideal exercise to gently introduce jumping.
Our tips
- Keep the jump very low at first (20–30 cm). The height isn’t what matters, especially in the beginning.
- Approach the exercise at a trot, giving your horse time to think.
- As a rider, aim to be as balanced and steady as possible in the saddle.
- Reward generously after each successful effort.
Conclusion
Training a young horse requires patience, gradual progression, and consistency in what you ask of them. The 5 exercises presented here can help you establish solid foundations under saddle.
Free access to the Appaloo Equestrian mobile app already allows you to benefit from a catalogue of varied schooling sessions tailored to your needs. Around 500 exercises are available!
In the Premium version, you will find complete training programs, some specifically designed for young horses, to guide you in structuring your schooling sessions and to support you in your progress. You will also have access to planning and tracking your sessions, thanks to a self-assessment form and the ability to view your training statistics!
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