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Tuesday, 29 March, 2022
With the return of fine weather, it is also the return of outdoor rides. Greatly appreciated by riders, long rides in nature are also beneficial for horses. Inès Boudina Ravella, a professional dressage rider who regularly works outdoors, shares her recommendations and exercises with you.
Going for a ride in the countryside is very good for the morale of both the horse and the rider. It allows him to clear his mind and to get out of his usual environment. In an unfamiliar environment, you will work on your horse's concentration. This will strengthen your connection and therefore the harmony of your couple.
Taking the horse out of its routine and the environment it knows also allows it to get used to and desensitize it to outside noises and movements, to the presence of animals or vehicles... Afterwards, if you take it to competitions or to unusual places, it will be much calmer and more relaxed
Just because a ride is relaxing doesn't mean the horse won't work. Outdoor rides in nature are an opportunity to train your horse differently.
First of all, outdoors, the horse is naturally more active. It wants to move forward on its own, so forward movement becomes easier. It will also improve its cardio and endurance, two essential skills whatever the rider's favourite discipline.
If the terrain is suitable, it is very interesting to work on the slope. The horse will gain strength in the hindquarters, the back and also the abs. The variations in terrain also allow the horse to work on and improve its natural balance.
In addition to building muscle and gaining breath, there are many other things you can work on when you are out and about.
If you want to increase your horse's bounce, Inès Boudina Ravella advises you to work in the high grass. "Working in the high grass will have the same effect as bars on the ground. The horse will get more bounce and lift its knees more. It will also move its shoulders, back and hips more." While it is difficult to estimate the evolution of the horse's bounce, powerful tools exist such as the CEEFIT. A small sensor to be placed on the girth, it measures the horse's bounce and gives the rider a concrete and quantified vision of the horse's progress.
The large spaces offer more freedom than an arena or a riding school, and the rider also has the possibility of playing on the accordion effect of the gaits. He can achieve much greater lengthening and vary the gaits over a longer distance.
Finally, the space available also allows the rider to learn to manage his space and to know how to work without spreading himself too thin.
Of course, the exercises proposed by Inès have to be adapted according to the terrain, but the outdoors offers many possibilities for work.
As Inès says, even when you are outside and you enjoy working in a new environment, you must always listen to your horse and go gradually. If you are working on uneven ground and he is not familiar with this exercise, don't ask him to be too difficult, especially on hills. Move at his pace.
Nature means insects. After each ride, especially if you have been through tall grass, be sure to check your horse for ticks. Ticks can carry serious diseases such as piroplasmosis, a disease similar to malaria in humans. You can also use certain essential oils, to be applied before you go out, to prevent them from sticking: essential oil of lavender, lemon eucalyptus, citronella or geranium (to be mixed with coconut oil or aloe vera).
Also beware of the terrain. Wet ground can become slippery, especially for shod horses. You should also avoid hard ground, which is bad for your horse's feet.
Finally, let's talk about safety. Riding is a great time with your horse, but accidents can happen. Protective equipment like the airbag waistcoats can be effective against falls. Moreover, if you go out alone, there are solutions so that your loved ones can follow your route and have more peace of mind. SEAVER offers the SAFERIDE feature, which can be activated directly from the application which detects your falls and warns your loved ones by sending them your geolocation. So you can go outside alone in complete safety.
Outdoor riding is very beneficial for you and your horse. They keep his morale (yours) up and allow you to work differently but just as effectively. Although pleasant, outdoor riding can be dangerous for single riders. SEAVER accompanies you outdoors with SAFERIDE and SAFEFIT to guarantee your safety. How about you, how do you put the outdoors to work for your horse? Comment here 💬, or send us messages on our social networks: Facebook and Instagram.
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