Training Tips
by
Gail DeStefano
There is riding and there is riding...
As a rider have you ever tried to explain to a non-rider what a canter feels like? As a non-rider, did you understand? Try explaining what you think and feel as you and your horse rise up and over a jump. Oh sure, you might say " It is fun", or "scary" or even "I don't remember what I was thinking!" Yet, stop and think, what were you "feeling?" What does your body "feel" when you move into a canter transition from the trot? Do you think about what you have to do to make this transition or do you just ask naturally? Do you think about where each of your horses feet are when you ask? Or should I ask "Do you know where your horses feet are?"
Yes, I am full of many questions. I am asking because, during one of my lessons it dawned on me that I was having a hard time trying to explain a concept. That concept was a "feeling". Not the kind of feeling like cantering on the wrong lead, but a feeling of really using your body in a certain way. I am not talking about the mechanics of asking for a canter by allowing your inside leg to grow long and slightly forward and your outside leg to move slightly back etc. I am speaking of using your seat and your energy. Ahhhhhhhhh, maybe it is the feeling of "energy" I am trying to explain? The true connection between a horse and their rider. If there is a true connection, the horse knows what the rider is going to ask for before the rider even asks . How can a horse know this? How do you know when you sit in the saddle that your horse is up that day? Did he say to you " Man, I sure feel good today and the wind is freaking me out." I know I saw a few horse eating things blowing around in the ring." Actually he did say that, but, not with words. I think even a non-rider can tell when a horse is feeling their oats. What about the horse that doesn't look up? How can you tell that your ride might be a little more exciting then you planned? You sit in the saddle and you might say,you can feel he is full of energy. OH? Did you say, you can FEEL he is full of energy? But, he looks calm. You are feeling his "energy." How? In your seat of course. Now, you need to know what to do to channel that energy. Move his feet! Yielding the hindquarters changes the horses attitude. When a horse crosses his hind legs over it causes submission. In other words it calms his mind. After working your horse like this for a little while you will "feel" a difference in his energy level. As a side note, the riders that run into trouble are, those riders that missed the warning signs that something was coming.They did not feel what their horse was trying to tell them.
I bring up the "feelings" you get from your horse because you also give your horse "feelings." Bad day? Yup, they know it.
I try not to ride when I am upset or angry. Not that I would get angry at my horse, I just feel I can not give my full attention to my riding and that is not fair to my horse.
Now, let's talk about the aids you give your horse. The feeling aids. The body feeling aids. Which brings me back to the question of how to explain a body feeling aid. Keep in mind I am not talking about a basic leg aid. Did you think about how to explain what a canter transition feels like? Are you able to explain it? What does your body feel like when you ask for a canter? Not how a canter feels, but how does the transition "feel?" What energy are you giving your horse to get that canter? Many well schooled horses just need a kiss sound, others just need the outside leg. We then have horses that need that canter "feeling." Without that "feeling" they either ignore you or don't believe you.
Have you ever watched an extremely talented dressage rider? What did you notice? Where were your eyes? You were watching the horse. You never saw the rider because the rider and the horse were one. If you did look at the rider you should have seen "nothing." It should have looked as if the rider just happen to be going for a ride, which is only possible when there is a true partnership with the horse and rider. The horse is "feeling" what the rider is asking. It may only be a slight movement but, you must be aware of how every move you make means something to your horse. As the rider you also have to feel what is going on underneath you so you can make the appropriate corrections.
To quote Mary Wanless " In the process of discovering what looks and feels 'right' we are all struggling with:
What we think we do
What we actually do
What we know we ought to do
The good news is that we may forget many different things in our lives, but we will always remember a "feeling." Your body will remember long after your mind forgets. Now the last question I have is: " Did you explain that canter transition "feeling" yet?"
More information can be found at: www.longislandridinglessons.com
