BD Youth blog: Let's get physical

For issue 2 of BD Youth Inspire e-newsletter, we catch up with National Academy athlete Abigail Taylor to ask how she keeps her training exciting for academy partner Indy. Read her blog here!

Training outside of the arena is an important and essential part of any training programme, it takes hard work and dedication to keep your horses mind fresh and enjoying how you ask him to perform. With the evenings getting lighter, now is the perfect time to start introducing a variety of activities to spice things up for you and your horse.

As an AASE and National Academy Athlete, I am going to give you an insight into the training programme me and my horse Indy follow.

Our exercise sessions

We have a varied programme and spend lots of time working from the ground, going through a variety of exercises including pole work to help keep Indy supple and help with looseness. We include a variety of stretches over the poles, not only to help with his body but his mind too, these can also help him with his coordination and awareness of what he is doing with his limbs. Indy receives regular chiropractic sessions from Sally Cobbald MRVCS who recommends this type of work, 10 minutes two/three times a week is a good place to start.

Hacking is a fantastic way for both you and your horse to relax together and at the same time continue with your horse’s training. Roadwork, hill work and a relaxed walk are all great ways to help with building your horse’s muscles and increasing his fitness. If your horse can jump, this is another way to vary the work you do with him in the school, some horses can become stale if it’s all work and no play…Indy absolutely LOVES to have the odd jump!

He loves his hand grazing and with the fields still so wet and muddy turnout is limited - this is good way to stretch your horse’s legs and body as well as relaxing his mind and maintain that vital bond with him.

How does this affect performance in the arena?

Keeping your training programme varied will help your horse to enjoy the work you do in the arena, both in training and at competition – your horse has to want to dance for you and a happy horse is a willing horse.

As a BD Youth rider my ambition for a long time has been to enjoy my love of horses and to also make a career out of it. The AASE and National Academy programmes have helped me start to achieve my goals. BD Youth has given me these amazing opportunities, although owning a horse and training for competition can offer many challenges and be hard work, it can also be lots of fun and the achievement of reaching your goals far outweighs this.

If you have always dreamt of owning and riding a horse…follow your dreams, I am!

Applications for the BD Youth Foundation Academies open this May, the programme provides an ideal leg up to young professionals and dedicated riders, with support from industry experts in all areas of equine performance. 

BD YOUTH ACADEMIES, LEARN MORE!