Ah, the cool breeze, the leaves changing colors, and the sweet aroma of autumn in the air – the barn is a special place year round, but there’s something magical about it in the fall. As the temperature drops, but winter’s not yet arrived, our horses’ coats get thicker, and we let their manes grow long, I love the fall as a time to rekindle my passion for riding. It’s a time when the pressure from show season eases off, and with that, I find it’s the perfect time to dial everything back to basics. I spend more time just hanging out at the barn, loving on my horse and making sure she’s taking in all the sunshine and fresh air now before the rain, snow and grey clouds take over for winter. In the saddle, I love to go back to basics, working on the fundamentals, and diving into our flat work. Here are some of my favorite things about riding in the fall.

1. Back to Basics in the Irons:

You and your horse are athletes, and as in any sport, it requires a strong foundation. Going back to basics means revisiting the essentials: balance, posture, strength and conditioning with your horse. In the fall, I find myself focusing on my position, and refining my aids. It’s a time to strip back all the complexities you’ve assembled throughout the last year, deconstruct your riding and continue to build on what’s most important. The basics.

1. Leg position
2. Eye level and focal point
3. Hip angle / Seat
4. Independent hands
5. Strength and Endurance
6. Balance

These are such simple principles of riding that we learned in the beginning, and I LOVE coming back to some of the most simple exercises to check in on these basics time and time again.

2. Embracing the Flat Work

For us in our barn, we’ve got a list of “Everyday Ten”. It’s posted on the arena wall and while it may get overlooked during show season (don’t tell my coach!), the fall is a great time to simply structure every ride around these 10 exercises on the flat.

1. Turn on the forehand
2. Turn on the haunches
3. Side pass left / right
4. Halt and rein back in a straight line
5. Shoulder in
6. Haunches in
7. Extended walk/trot/canter
8. Collected walk/trot/canter
9. Counter canter
10. Walk canter / canter walk transitions

Working daily to improve these exercises results in better transitions, increased balance and coordination for both horse and rider, bi-lateral strength for your horse, flexibility, adjustability and improves your horse’s responsiveness to your aids, deepening your connection and communication. All things absolutely essential in a good partnership.

When you focus on the basics and fundamentals, you’re setting yourself up for success in the future. As the saying goes, “nothing great can stand on a weak foundation.” So, take the time to strengthen your foundation in the fall, and you’ll reap the rewards in the (show) seasons to come.

3. Clinic Season Begins

Seeing the end of show season means clinic season is just around the corner! I’m an absolute fanatic for clinics. If this is new to you; a clinic is basically a workshop hosted or taught by another (usually renowned or well established) coach. Clinics often run over two days with small groups that are intentionally structured around horse/riders at similar levels with similar goals.

There are a few ways to participate in clinics. First, you can pay to participate and ride your horse. Clinics usually have a limited capacity (to maximize the value each horse/rider is getting out of the time in their session), and they are usually a premium price given that clinician’s are typically well-known, sought after trainers. The cost of the clinic is usually well worth the value. The opportunity to be coached in a small group by a trainer/coach/horseman, and what you will learn in this condensed time is usually well worth the investment.

The second option, if I can’t participate in the clinic myself, is to audit. This just means spectate, watch, listen and learn from the sidelines. The opportunity to audit a clinic is usually offered at a fraction of the cost of participating in it as a rider, and to be honest, I find it can be just as valuable to watch as it is to ride. I absolutely LOVE going to clinics and soak them in every opportunity I get.

4. Reconnecting with Your Horse

Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of riding in the fall is the chance to bond with your horse all over again. This is such a great season to spend more quality time with your four-legged family member, nurturing your relationship and appreciating all that they do for you throughout the year.

True, we appreciate them year round, but in the winter we’re often too cold to be just hanging out at the barn and are very task focused on getting in, and getting out while we can still feel our finger tips. Spring seems to be full of anticipation for the approaching show season and the focus is often what’s ahead. Summer seems to go by so fast as we’re going from show to show, or life outside the barn is also busy with holidays and, you know… all the non-horse life stuff that happens too.

For me, fall just is a very present time and I soak up as much of it as I can. We get the last few weeks of grazing in, spontaneously go for what could be the last hack around the property of the year, pull out the laundered blankets from last fall and bundle up our horses as the temps drop for the first time.

Whether its going back to basics, working through your own “Everyday Ten”, or just being present and deepening your connection with your horse, fall is a season of transformation, renewal and reconnection. So as you stand in the cross-ties in the days ahead, I encourage you to consider how you will use these weeks between summer and winter to your advantage. If you don’t know quite yet, perhaps you have time for one last leisurely ride outside to think it over. Happy riding!

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