26/05/2026
Are You Riding All Your Gears?
One of the biggest “aha” moments I see with riders is the tendency to stick in one gear, the “comfortable” pace we default to again and again. But here’s the truth: your horse’s fitness and suppleness depend on your willingness to shift gears, regularly and intentionally.
Riding multiple speeds within each gait wakes up the neuromuscular system, boosts circulation, and helps your horse move more fully and fluidly. Too much time stuck in one pace? That leads to stiffness, imbalance, and restricted motion.
Want to get started today? Here are a few of my favorite drills:
• Counting Steps — mark your baseline between two poles, then subtract or add strides as you go.
• Cardio Intervals — alternate bursts of faster work with recovery in a 1:1 ratio.
• Zig-Zag Poles — demand a gear change right into technical footwork, then speed back up.
Remember: it’s not about being perfect in transitions, it’s about pushing the envelope just enough so the horse learns to adjust, engage, and adapt. That’s real growth.
Let’s challenge ourselves this week, ride all your gears and see how your horse responds.
👉 To read the full blog, check out my website.
JecBallouTraining