097. Young Horse Basics | Suppleness & 20m Circles

If you’re bringing along a young horse or looking for a simple, effective way to loosen and supple a more experienced onem, this ride is for you. By the end of the ride, your horse should feel more attentive, looser through the body, and comfortably moving forward in a steady rhythm.

✅ This lesson is great for… 👉 Young horses learning the basics of flatwork and balance. 👉 Horses that benefit from simple, repeatable exercises to improve suppleness 👉 Riders looking for a structured but low-stress flatwork ride. 👉 Pairs comfortable cantering on a 20m circle.

✅ What to expect: 👉 Clear, straightforward flatwork focused on rhythm and relaxation. 👉 Circles and straight lines in walk, trot, and canter. 👉 Walk–trot transitions to maintain responsiveness and attention. 👉 Short walk breaks to keep the horse mentally and physically fresh.

✅ Where to ride:Jon rides in a standard 20m x 60m arena. Adjust the size of circles or duration of work as needed to suit your horse and space.

✅ Lesson plan: • 1:00 – Walking: Jon introduces the focus of the ride while walking around the arena. • 3:30 – Trotting: Ride around the arena, incorporating 20m circles and trot–walk–trot transitions in both directions. • 11:00 – Walking: Short break; take your feet out of the stirrups and let the horse relax. • 14:15 – Cantering: Canter around the arena and on a 20m circle in one direction. • 17:00 – Walking: Short walk break. • 18:00 – Cantering: Canter around the arena and on a 20m circle in the other direction. • 20:00 – Walk, pat your horse, and finish on a positive note.

✅ Time spent in each gait:• Walk: 8 minutes• Trot: 8 minutes• Canter: 5 minutes

✅ Meet Your Coach: Jon Holling (Eventing)Jon Holling is a US 5* event rider and coach, ICP Level IV certified, and the US National Safety Officer to the FEI. As a coach, he's easygoing and candid, while delivering clear, thorough coaching that helps riders build confidence and understanding in every ride.

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Release of Liability:In consideration of my use of this audio lesson provided by Ride iQ, I expressly agree and contract that Ride iQ and its insurers, employees, officers, directors, and associates, shall not be liable for any damages arising from personal injuries (including death) sustained by me or my horse as a result of the use of the audio lesson, regardless of whether such injuries result, in whole or in part, from the negligence of Ride iQ. By using this audio lesson, I accept and assume full responsibility for any and all injuries, damages (both economic and non-economic), and losses of any type, which may occur to me or my horse, and I hereby fully and forever release and discharge Ride iQ, its insurers, employees, officers, directors, and associates, from any and all claims, demands, damages, rights of action, or causes of action, present or future, whether the same be known or unknown, anticipated, or unanticipated, resulting from or arising as a result of the use of said audio lesson. I understand and acknowledge that activities with horses, including the use of this audio lesson, involve risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death.