Musings from a Master

Horses mainly live and survive by making use of their instinct for self-preservation. The instinct of self-preservation not only ensures that they stay alive, but also - and this is very important in equitation- it keeps them comfortable. In general, and mainly from the physical point of view, horses are able to do practically everything we ask of them. But if they find what we ask is difficult, their instinct of self-preservation tells them not to do it, or it tells them to do it in a way that they find easier. I am considering here a rider with good co-ordination of the aids. Therefore the resistance is not caused by the rider. What I have to say here only applies to the problems of the horse - rider problems are another story. Training the horse is mostly a matter of doing things in such a way that everything we ask of the horse becomes easier for him to do.

For example, if I want my horse to have a good collected trot with good cadence and a good rhythm, with good impulsion, good balance and with him able to do this in self-carriage, first I have to make it easy for the horse. I have to make the horse do the appropriate gymnastics that will see him develop the muscles and the suppleness that he needs to use in order for it to be easier for him to accomplish this collected trot.

I shouldn't think about training a horse to do a movement, bur rather I should thing about training a horse to be able to do this movement (in equitation 'able' means to be easy).

Every time I find a difficulty in obtaining some specific response from my horse, and I can't get that response, I have to think that this is happening because it is difficult for the horse to do. I have to think about the qualities that the horse needs to have in order for him to be able to give that response, and then to do the correct gymnastics in order to develop those qualities. And it is especially important to never think "Ha! he doesn't want to do it! He has to do it or else!" Normally what happens is the else.

All equestrian exercises are gymnastic exercises which are used to 'obtain the harmonious development of the physique and ability of the horse' (Article 401 of the FEI rules for dressage events). The point here is this: When doing a a shoulder-in at trot, for example, we should not be happy if we are simply traveling along in the shoulder-in position. We should always be riding and using our aids in order to turn that shoulder-in into the best possible gymnastic exercise. we do this by trying to obtain the best cadence, engagement, impulsion and balance.

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