| Whether your horse is trained English or Western, | | | | required to give with it's head on the vertical compared |
| whether he works cows, jumps or is trained for | | | | to a Hunter/Jumper where the contact is lighter and |
| Dressage there are five elements to the well trained | | | | the horse's head is slightly above the vertical but either |
| horse that is standard no matter what the breed or | | | | way you want your horse's mouth actually putting a |
| discipline. If one of these five aspects to your horse's | | | | little pressure on your hands and then yielding to the |
| training is missing there is no doubt it will show in his | | | | change of pressure in your hand that transfers to the |
| performance and in your quest for the perfect ride. | | | | feel of the bit in his mouth. Without this situation your |
| While there are numerous techniques that scores of | | | | communication is weaker and you have less influence |
| books and DVD's have been written about on how to | | | | over your horse when asking him to do something for |
| achieve these five elements their requirement in a | | | | you. Please understand that in any discipline for the |
| horse's training repertoire is essential. | | | | horse to be properly on the bit the contact should be |
| 1. Do you have your horse's attention? I think Linda | | | | light as a result of the horse giving to the bit and the |
| Tellington Jones said it best; "to teach a horse anything | | | | rider maintaining the constant feel of the horse through |
| you must first have its attention!" I would like to add, | | | | his hands. I've always heard the saying; "there are no |
| before you can make any successful request of your | | | | strong bits, only strong hands" meaning even with what |
| horse he must be paying attention to you! Not to the | | | | people would consider a severe bit, if its pressure is |
| horse in the turn out next to the arena, not to the | | | | controlled in the hands of a master it can feel as light |
| squirrel chirping on the fence post or the truck coming | | | | to the horse as a simple fat snaffle but the operative |
| up the road but to you! There are a number of ways | | | | word is "master"! A strong bit has no place in the |
| to influence a horse to keep his attention (influence | | | | hands of someone who's balance and feel for the |
| being the operative word because if you have to | | | | horse isn't perfection. Don't make the mistake of |
| resort to "fear" tactics then it's time find some other | | | | thinking a beginner rider needs a harsh bit in the horse's |
| way). One simple way to help your horse to focus is | | | | mouth for security. It is a recipe for disaster! |
| to insure he's in the proper frame of mind. A horse that | | | | 4. Does your horse move from the leg? Having a |
| hasn't been out and worked for days will be too hot | | | | horse yield to your leg is not something you should |
| and must be allowed some play time. Even horses | | | | take for granted. A horse often has to be taught to do |
| that are worked regularly sometimes need a little time | | | | so at the beginning of his training. This is something I |
| out to run and buck and kick up their heals. If you have | | | | teach my young horses from the ground in hand at |
| a horse that's having difficulty giving you their attention | | | | the earliest stages of their training by putting slight |
| try untacking them and turning them out in a generous | | | | pressure where my leg would go under saddle with |
| space for them to zip around and use up some of the | | | | the round end of my whip. As the horse yields to it |
| stored energy. You might be surprised at the result. | | | | even with the slightest movement away I stop and |
| Other options are taking your horse for a nice walk in | | | | praise the horse generously. In no time the horse is |
| hand. I am often surprised at what a difference this | | | | stepping underneath itself moving away from my cue |
| makes in the "spooky" horse especially if you spend | | | | and when transferring that signal to using my leg under |
| time chatting with your friend as you walk by all the | | | | saddle I go through the same routine, just a little give |
| things that would normally divert his attention. | | | | from the horse and he's told he's done well. |
| 2. Is your horse forward? Call it "being in front of your | | | | 5. Does your horse yield to the seat? This is something |
| leg" or having impulsion but whatever you want to call | | | | that comes more natural to a horse but it is the rider |
| it if you don't have it you have no connection. Before | | | | that can screw things up. First of all the rider must |
| you can effectively touch your horse with your reins | | | | have an "educated" seat. In proper riding a rider uses |
| or move him from your leg or have any influence on | | | | their seat to both drive a horse forward and hold a |
| him he must be moving forward. Even if you want him | | | | horse back. If you don't know the difference between |
| to back up, the effort comes originally from this | | | | a "driving" and a "softening" seat then there's a great |
| forward motion. Once your horse is forward it's your | | | | chance you could use some training. Until then the |
| task to develop his rhythm. Forward without rhythm | | | | wisest thing to do on your horse with your seat is |
| becomes reckless with your horse and you becoming | | | | simply follow his motion and work on your balance. |
| off balanced and most likely annoyed with the whole | | | | As a professional trainer even when I have a horse |
| experience or perhaps even fearful. | | | | come to me that's been labeled as "well trained" it |
| 3. Does your horse give to the bit? This is a difficult | | | | almost always shows me room for improvement on |
| one to understand. First there are different standards | | | | at least one of these elements. Conqueror all five and |
| to what "giving to the bit" involves. No doubt there'll be | | | | you're well on your way to owning a horse that people |
| a difference between how a Dressage horse is | | | | will envy and you'll love riding! |