Things to try this week in, or out, of the saddle

Plus, win a bundle from Ariat! [View this email in your browser]( The [October issue of Horse&Rider magazine]( is out now. [Subscribe to Horse&Rider magazine.]( With the colder months looming, we’re looking for ways to stay motivated and inspired in the saddle. We’ve loved the variety of advice in October Horse&Rider, from Dannie Morgan’s methods to help improve your horse’s trot, to Laura’s Collett’s super-simple gridwork exercise and Fizz Tickridge-Marshall’s guide to getting your horse competition-fit.  Have you been having a go at any of the exercises in this issue? Let us know - we love to see how you’re getting on. You can email us [horseandrider@djmurphy.co.uk](mailto:horseandrider@djmurphy.co.uk?subject=Here's%20how%20I've%20been%20getting%20on...&body=), or tag us in your socials, we’re on [Facebook]( and [Instagram]( [Get the latest issue]( Things to try this week Bring your A game Having a horse who’s quick on his feet and adjustable within his paces is a crucial part of showjumping success. Spice up your training sessions with Yazmin’s exercise to improve agility and adjustability [Read more]( 6 secrets to free walk on a long rein At the lower levels of dressage, you’ll be required to show free walk on a long rein, which may be asked for across a diagonal or performed on a circle or straight line. [Read more]( A road safety refresher From equipping you and your horse with the skills to safely and courteously ride on the road, to upskilling friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to pass horses with more care, join our campaign for considerate road sharing [Read more]( Guide to rider straightness Polishing your position and improving your horse’s way of going are intrinsically linked – dressage star Lewis Carrier shares his tips. [Read more]( [More riding advice here…]( Top Tip When you first pick up canter in the warm-up, adopt a light seat. This allows your horse to keep loosening his back and lets him know that the pressure is still off for now. Ingrid Klimke How can I stop my horse rushing into a fence? Mary Hart-Stevens Before trying to solve the problem of rushing into a fence in the school, make sure you’ve ruled out pain as a contributing factor by getting your horse’s tack checked over and that it fits him correctly, and ensuring there are no underlying health issues. When you have a horse who rushes, your main aim is to keep his brain busy – so he has to think carefully about what he’s doing, which should ultimately slow him down. Therefore, it’s important to mix things up and keep sessions varied so he can’t predict where you’re going and what you’re doing. For example, avoid jumping a single fence over again in the same way – ride a transition or circle before or after to keep him focused, or add in poles on the ground. Trotting into fences is another great exercise to use that will help you establish rhythm, balance and control. And, as you’ll know from my feature on p20, gridwork is a useful tool, too. Remember to consider the influence you have on your horse. Are you unknowingly causing him to rush by leaning forward, tensing or gripping with your leg? Someone on the ground will help you identify this, but think about maintaining your rhythm by counting. Doing this out loud will also encourage you to keep breathing which will help relax your muscles and transfer less tension onto your horse. Get in touch by mail or online, our experts are on hand to help you and your horse. Send your horsey problems to [experts@horseandrideruk.com](mailto:experts@horseandrideruk.com?subject=Ask%20the%20experts&body=) or log on to [horseandrideruk.com]( for more advice. Competitions WIN with October Horse&Rider magazine This month we £1,016 worth of prizes to be won! [Enter now]( WIN an Ariat bundle We’ve teamed up with Ariat to bring one lucky reader this full riding outfit from Ariat! [Enter now]( Great reasons to subscribe… ✔️ Become part of the Horse&Rider subscriber club - early access to reader offers, exclusive gifts at events and more! ✔️ Packed with top tips and advice in veterinary, riding, horse care and management ✔️ The latest product buying guides and reviews ✔️ Plus, loads more! [Check out our current offers]( [Facebook icon]( [Instagram icon]( [YouTube icon]( Copyright (C) 2024 Horse and Rider. All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Horse and Rider Our mailing address is: Horse and Rider Olive Studio Grange Road Farnham, Surrey GU10 2DQ United Kingdom Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe](