So, continuing on from the last post, which got me into this situation, because I can never keep my thoughts to myself: Relaxing the horse and further training of both horse and rider.
One must remember at all times that the horse can only ever be as good as the rider on it's back. Therefore, a bad rider equates a bad horse. This is not always the case, but we can assume that in some cases, bad results reflect more on the riding than the horse. If, for example, Satchmo finishes 10th in a competition with Isabell Werth, this does not mean that Satchmo is no good, it is just that some of Isabel's riding and the interpretation of the aids let them down. It happens to everyone, use too much leg when asking for extended trot and you can end up in canter. Horses at the top level of dressage are highly sensitive to the slightest aid from hand, seat, or leg. These 3 aids are ideally used in conjuction with each other and it is the interpretation of each aid by the horse that produces the movement.
So, as a rider it is our job to be as good as we can, to have our postition as good as can be so that we can best help the horse to carry out its work almost flawlessly. We all have our weaknesses as riders, mine is a not always secure lower leg, some have problems sitting tall in the saddle, others are over relient on the hands. Each can be remedied over time, but it takes a lot of effort from the rider and it is more often the case that some riders spend more time on the horse than they ever do on their own riding.
One of the most dreaded exercises of all for a rider is working without stirrups. But, it is one of the most helpful exercises for fixing problems with the lower leg and getting a rider to sit up straight. Ideally the lower leg should be wrapped round the horse at the girth, holding the horse together in the collected movements and supporting and balancing during the more open paces. Used in conjunction with a secure, light seat (where the rider takes their weight off the horse's back while still seated) a beautiful, light piaffe and passage can be produced. In these movements, done correctly and effectively, the horse will almost appear to be "dancing" trough the air, hardly touching the ground. A light passage and piaffe is infinately more beautiful and pleasing to look at than some of the heavier ones that are sometimes seen, where the rider doesn't seem to be helping the horse at all.
So, how to cure over relience on hands? Try riding without the reins. This is also effective at stopping horses "leaning" on the bit for support. A heavy contact in the hand is a sure sign that the horse is relying on you to hold it up. It is to be avoided at all costs. A horse that is heavy in the hands is not carrying itself correctly.
Remember, you should at all times be riding leg to hand. Not hand to leg. the horse should be going forwards into a light, elastic contact with the legs supporting at the centre of gravity and the seat light to help the horse lift itself. We are looking at all times for elevation of the shoulder and the forehand and a lowering of the hindquarters, never the opposite.
Using lateral work (leg yield on a circle line and also down the long side of the arena) helps to lift the shoulders and engage the hindquarters. Transitions within the paces (collected trot to medium or extended trot) and also "direct" transitions (halt to trot to halt) further engage the hindquarters and get the horse infront of the leg and working forwards into the hand. The idea of training is to get the horse forward away from the leg, while keeping relaxation. It takes a lot of time, but the effort is well worth it. Training this way may never get you to the Olympics, but you will have a correct, happy horse and the respect of your peers. That is worth infinately more to a true horseman/woman than any number of gold medals.
