Yoga for the Horse
Mounted Exercises for the Therapeutic Riding Horse
By Amy Sheets and Michelle La Fleur
Exercise 1: Shallow Serpentines





Ride on inside track (slightly off rail) around arena while performing shallow serpentines.
Work on bending inside, then outside, then inside, etc. while maintaining forward walk.
Repeat at forward trot.
Start with loose rein and progress to more contact. Practice being able to maintain horse’s
freedom of movement as contact increases. If the horse shortens stride or becomes stiff in
jaw/neck/back, he is probably not ready for the amount of contact and is no longer benefitting
from the exercise.
Continue with shallow serpentines while switching from longer rein to shorter rein to longer
rein, etc.
BENEFITS: This exercise helps the horse loosen up both sides of the body without stress. The horse will
eventually become softer in the jaw, more flexible in neck and back and will come through willingly as
contact is increased.
SUGGESTIONS: If the horse does not respond to the aids for the shallow turns, simply add a full circle in
that direction and then continue with the serpentine adding full circles when needed. This is most
effective if done with an opening inside rein and slightly stronger leg aids to keep the hind legs coming
through.
This is also a great exercise for improving balance at the canter/lope once the horse and rider are ready.
Exercise 2: Leg Yield (3 different methods)
Leg yield on rail:





Begin with forward walk and approach the rail at a 45 degree angle.
Ask for the leg yield before the horse’s nose is close to the fence. (If tracking right, bend the
horse to the left and leg yield off the rider’s left leg.)
Continue to maintain the 45 degree angle to the fence while asking for the leg yield.
Straighten the horse and move forward with impulsion on the rail.
Repeat at walk and trot/jog in both directions.
BENEFITS: Moving forward and laterally at the same time stretches the horse’s legs and encourages the
horse to bring the hind end underneath himself (he can’t cross-over if he doesn’t reach farther) thus
lifting his back and teaching him how to more comfortably carry the rider’s weight.
SUGGESTIONS: This type of leg yield is helpful for horses who resist contact or don’t yet understand
contact. The visual aid of the rail helps the rider use light rein aids. If the horse gently bumps his nose
on the rail, he may learn to flex at the poll and move more laterally. If the horse gets confused, halt and
ask for a couple of side pass steps facing the rail, then straighten and march forward down the rail.
Remember to praise and provide release for each incremental improvement.
Leg Yield from quarter line to rail:




Begin in forward walk past centerline of arena and turn on quarter line.
Make sure the horse is marching straight on quarter line before asking for leg yield.
Leg yield to rail.
Repeat at walk and trot/jog both directions.
BENEFITS: This exercise sets the horse up for success because most horses prefer being on the rail and
anticipate being asked to be on the rail. The physical benefits of the leg yield exercise itself are as stated
above.
Stairstep Leg Yield:






Begin in forward walk on rail.
Leg yield away from rail to quarter line. Continue on quarter line until horse is moving forward
and straight.
Leg yield to centerline. Continue on centerline until horse is moving forward and straight.
Leg yield in same direction to next quarter line. Continue on quarter line until horse is moving
forward and straight.
Leg yield to rail. Maintain forward movement and lengthen rein allowing horse to stretch.
Repeat in both directions at walk and trot/jog.
BENEFITS: This exercise is especially helpful for horses (and riders) who get crooked and lead too much
with the shoulder in leg yield. The physical benefits of the leg yield exercise itself are as stated above.
SUGGESTIONS: Do only as many “steps” as your horse can do correctly. Straighten the horse and move
forward as needed to maintain the quality of the leg yield.
Exercise 3: Half circle with straight side (demonstrated at Horse Expo Pomona, CA Feb. 2014 by Jec Ballou)





Set up cones to delineate an arc for ½ of a 20 m circle. Set ground poles in a straight line from
first cone to last cone.
Begin riding at walk around cones working on correct bend.
Make 90 degree turn at last cone and continue straight alongside ground poles.
Continue to follow arc around cones and straight line at ground poles working on staying as
close to each as possible.
Repeat in both directions at walk, trot/jog and canter/lope.
BENEFITS: This exercise strengthens both of the horse’s hind legs. The horse will be using his inside
hind leg as he bends through the arc of the ½ circle. Then he must push off the outside hind leg to make
the 90 degree turns. The momentary straight line allows the horse to gain forward impulsion before he
is asked to start working on bending again.
SUGGESTIONS: Start out allowing the horse to be at some distance from the cones and ground poles,
then progress to being closer and closer. Pay attention to how well the horse makes 90 degree turns. If
the haunches swing out, this identifies a weakness in that outside hind leg. If the horse is sound and
healthy, work that direction more to help strengthen that hind leg. If the horse may have some arthritis
or other exacerbating condition, discontinue the exercise and consult a veterinarian about what kind of
exercises the horse should or should not be doing.
Exercise 4: Circles within Circles (as demonstrated at WDAA “Train the Trainers” Clinic)


Draw a twenty meter circle with four 10 meter circles within the 20 meter circle.
Start working at a walk and progress to trot/jog and canter/lope for more advanced riders and
horses.
v




Work horse on 20 meter circle for several laps to feel where on the circle the horse will fall in
and where he will try to bulge out. Most horses will have one half where they want to fall in and
one side where they want to ‘fall out’ (or bulge the outside shoulder). Work on using leg and
seat aids to help horse balance on the arc.
After working one direction on 20 meter, reverse direction.
Once both directions have been performed, start working 10 meter circles along path of 20
meter circle.
Change of direction can be done using half of the 10 meter circles.
BENEFITS: Improves flexibility and suppleness throughout horse’s body. Also improves horse’s
response to aids. Helps horse to slow down and regulate gaits, especially trot/jog and canter/lope.
Helps riders learn to use outside aids more effectively and ‘get out of’ the inside rein.
SUGGESTIONS: Pay attention to using just enough inside rein to ask the horse’s nose to stay on track of
circle. Practice using outside leg and rein to guide horse through circles instead of “Pulling” with the
inside rein.
If the horse is too stiff or suffers from arthritis (or other age issues), enlarging circles to 30 and 15
respectively is an option.
Exercise 5: Turn on the Haunches (Pivots) to Ride the Square. (taken from 101 arena exercises and The
Handbook of Riding Essentials)



Set up four cones to mark a square within riding area.
Ride the perimeter of the square.
At each corner use a quarter turn on the haunches to set horse up for next straight line. Place
weight on inside sit-bone to immobilize pivot leg (inside hind); rock body weight back over sits
bones; outside rein applies indirect pressure; inside hand resists slightly to prevent energy from
inside leg going forward; outside leg active just behind girth/cinch to prevent hips from slipping
out; inside leg creates energy.
BENEFITS: Increases mobility and lightness of front end; loosens up horse’s shoulders and teaches
horse to move shoulders; helps rider to gain better control of horse’s shoulders; improves flexion.
SUGGESTIONS: If horse does not understand pivots, have horse move forward in relaxed walk applying
indirect rein and corresponding leg behind girth until horse moves over a step or two. Release aids. Ask
again for two or three steps. As horse learns what is expected start slowing forward motion making the
movement tighter
Notes:
These exercises are just some of our favorites. There are many more to choose from! Conditioning and
exercising the therapeutic riding horse should be done with a thoughtful plan and sensitivity to each
horse’s needs.
This presentation was focused on arena work, but don’t forget that you can plan exercises that benefit
your horse while out on trail or riding around the property for a change of scene and terrain.