Warm-Up Phase in Horse Riding: How to Start Correctly
The warm-up phase in horse riding is the decisive moment at the beginning of every training session. It largely determines how your horse transitions into the work both physically and mentally, and therefore has a major impact on the quality of the entire session. This phase is not just about warming up, but above all about becoming aware of your horse, assessing its condition on the day, and adapting your training accordingly.
“We use this phase to really listen to our horses, to feel how they are doing and what they are like today,” explains Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. This approach is what makes the difference between simply following a routine and creating a thoughtful, horse-centered training session.
Understanding Your Horse’s Daily Condition
Every horse comes into a training session with a different physical and mental state. That’s why it’s so important during the warm-up phase to observe closely and feel what your horse needs in that moment. Is it motivated, moving forward willingly, and attentive? Or does it feel sluggish, reserved, or difficult to activate? On the other hand, some horses may be very energetic and first need to learn how to channel that energy and focus on the rider.
Jessica describes these observations very clearly:
“Is the horse willing to move and eager to work? Or is it more phlegmatic and reserved? Can I motivate an introverted horse to come out of itself and develop forward energy? Does the overmotivated horse release its urge to move and begin to focus on me?”
These questions help you avoid riding according to a fixed routine and instead adapt your training to your horse’s individual condition.
Connection, Suppleness, and Body Awareness
Another key aspect of the warm-up phase is the quality of the connection between rider and horse. This includes both the contact with the horse’s mouth and the overall communication through the aids. How does the horse respond to subtle signals? Is the contact steady or inconsistent? Are there differences between the left and right side?
At the same time, body awareness plays a crucial role. Early in the ride, you can already feel whether your horse is moving freely, whether it can bend and flex easily, or if there are any areas of tension. “We use the warm-up phase to feel from the saddle whether the horse is moving fluidly, whether it can bend and flex, or if there are any problem areas, or perhaps some muscle soreness,” says Jessica.
This awareness is essential for properly gymnasticizing your horse and avoiding overstrain. In this sense, the warm-up phase is not just preparation, but also a kind of assessment of your horse’s current physical condition.
Staying Flexible in Your Training
How the rest of your training session unfolds depends directly on what you feel during this phase. Having a training plan is important—but it should never be followed rigidly if your horse is telling you something different. “Of course it’s important to have a plan and set goals, no question about it. But it’s just as important to be able to adjust that plan and adapt it to the horse’s condition on the day. It shouldn’t be a rigid plan—the feel is what matters.
If your horse is tired or has some muscle soreness, there is little point in working on difficult dressage movements or trying to reach the next step in your training. And if your horse feels very motivated and eager to work, that may just be the perfect time to introduce something new, even if you didn’t plan for that.”, says Benjamin Werndl. In the online dressage master classes of our Aubenhausen Academy, we show you exactly how we work with our horses and how we like to use the warm-up phase to best prepare and motivate our horses for a successful training session.
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