Never let it be said that there is no overlap between equestrian disciplines. Not many people will acknowledge it of course; they just adopt a slightly patronising attitude.

Show jumpers think eventers are mad jumping solid fences; they both regard dressage as the end of the line when your nerve has gone. Everyone looks on racing training methods as an enigma, and new sports like polocrosse and endurance riding - well because to the uninitiated knowledge of them is scant, they are viewed with some scepticism.

Such a parochial attitude is not worthy of serious riders. Even happy hackers benefit from a bit of training.

Dressage and endurance seem unlikely bedmates but attention to flat work can and does help endurance riders achieve faster time with the increased confidence of having a sound, fit horse passing through the final vet gates. The criteria needed to achieve Grand Prix dressage is as relevant as it is for a 100 mile ride, the only difference being the final outcome. An athletic, supple, balanced horse copes easier and takes less out of itself on a distance ride covering differing terrain, sometimes rough, constantly changing pace and dealing with gates and other hazards.

Attention to detail is the key to any successful campaign, so with the new season on the horizon now is the perfect opportunity to plan flatwork training that fits easily into the fitness schedule. It doesn't have to be too rigorous, provided certain criteria are kept in mind movements can be incorporated into everyday rides.

Between Hand and Leg: The horse must first be working between the riders' hand and leg. Jargon it may be, but it is the basis from which all riding improvement starts irrespective of discipline. The horse is then ready and listening for the riders' next command and will perform the movements in an active, balanced, controlled manner.

The start of many a distance ride sees horses galloping at full stretch with flapping reins and little control. By the time the rider takes charge the horse has expounded considerable energy, which contributes to early tiredness. A tired horse can run on adrenalin so a rider must be aware when his mount starts to flag and make every effort to hold it together with seat, hands and legs.

Impulsion and balance work in harmony. The horse needs to move forward freely, the hind legs working actively underneath it. The weight of the horse and rider should be carried as much as possible by the hind legs. The stage of training obviously dictates how 'engaged' or how far underneath the quarters the hind legs are carried. The more 'engagement' the horse has, the more self carriage it achieves. This is what is referred to as a 'balanced horse'.

If allowed to run on the horse's weight will be shifted forward onto the shoulders, termed as 'on the forehand', putting strain on the front legs. It might become strong and heavy in the hand, which will tire both horse and rider quickly, plus add to the risk of the horse damaging itself with overreaches or similar.

Transitions teach the horse to rebalance itself, encouraging more weight on its hind legs. There can never be too many; starting with walk-trot, progressing to trot-canter, ultimately reaching walk-canter. It is important that the horse does not use its weight or strength through the rein to stop itself. The rider must be responsible for not allowing the horse to lean on the bit. Half halts (slowing the pace quickly with a firm hand and then releasing the rein and pushing the horse forward) also encourage the horse to balance itself. They can be used in trot and canter to set the horse up for an approaching obstacle such as descending a steep hill or over rough or uneven terrain. Half halt before leaving a field to go onto a road will balance the horse so it will not slip. A simple use is for getting the horses' attention for a change of pace or direction. All can be practised in straight lines, although walk-canter-walk is much easier for the horse taught on two circles.

Obedience may seem obvious, but the saying 'behind the riders' leg', so often appearing on dressage sheets, indicates that the horse is not obedient to the rider. It must always react to the lightest leg aid. The rider's responsibility is to be able to control his own legs, not giving indiscriminate aids confusing the horse.

On wide, quiet pathways the horse can be asked to leg yield from the centre outwards, in other words a touch from the outside leg behind the girth tells the horse to move sideways away from the leg. The horse must be kept straight otherwise it will run or 'fall' onto its outside shoulder losing balance and falling onto the forehand again. Moving the horse lightly away from the leg in this way could be used for avoiding uneven or rough ground or indeed slower competitors.

Once the horse has the idea of leg yielding it can progress to 'turn on the forehand', vital for opening and shutting gates. A flat surface with plenty of space is needed. It helps in the teaching to stand the horse alongside a fence so that when you ask the horse to move its quarters away from the outside leg (placed behind the girth) it cannot move forward. A contact on both reins keeps the horse straight. The inside leg stops the horse from moving backwards. In the first instance be satisfied with one step, but gradually increase the steps until 90 degrees can be achieved. Always finish the lesson with a halt, so the horse learns to be still when required.

'Turn on the haunches' is the same principle only the shoulders move over while the hind legs remain on the same spot. Again this is useful for gates, particularly wide ones that tend to swing open. The horse must understand the principle of moving sideways before learning turn on the haunches or 'half pirouette'. With the inside leg encouraging the horse to keep walking and the outside leg guarding against it stepping backwards both hands bring the shoulders round restraining the horse from going forwards.

Initially it is useful to think of walking two circles sideways, the larger with the front legs and a smaller with the hind legs. Keep the circles large until the horse understands what is required and always think of bringing the shoulders over, almost neck reining with the outside rein. A common fault is to pull the inside rein and lose contact with the outside. If impulsion is lost the horse will try to step backwards and lose the regular four time walk. Ideally the horse's hind legs should march continuously while remaining on the same spot.

Suppleness needs to be developed from the beginning. If a horse can bend correctly every movement will be much less of an effort. The same can be said for equality. Given the chance horses will favour one side, much the same as humans, leading to extreme reluctance to use their stiff side. To prevent this happening riders must consciously change diagonal and make sure the horse will canter off both leads. A good exercise to help both leg obedience and suppleness is working on a circle increasing and decreasing its size by leg yielding, making sure not to lose the inside bend.

Some horses have natural rhythm; others require effort on the rider's part to develop an active, regular pace. There is sometimes a temptation for the rider to push the horse out of its stride in their endeavour for more impulsion. The horse will then lose its rhythm, fall onto its forehand and lose its balance again.

For endurance finding the pace that most suits the horse and developing its regularity and consistency is the most economical way of conserving energy.

Finally it is the riders' responsibility to be fit. A tired rider adds kilos onto the horse and tends to collapse onto their weaker side, which contributes to saddle sores.

It is always useful having someone on the ground so it is a good idea to have some proper lessons, maybe even compete at a dressage competition to give the horse somethin g to think about. Once the rider has an active, balanced, listening horse the next logical step is to teach it flying changes. The ultimate time saver, the horse should find no difficulty in learning them provided the basics are in place.

Balanced, supple, listening to the rider and fit for the job and a well-schooled horse is a joy to ride.

Published: 28/01/2005