Becky Holden
Riding from the ground...Up!
Training for the horse
Following the principles of légèreté we begin with full respect to the horse. We need to treat each horse as an individual and give them full control over any progression.
We have a very systematic approach, teaching the horse correct aids with clever exercises to suit their individual needs.
We isolate the aids for a clear understanding, building a very detailed language with many combinations.
Here are the scales of training that we follow. We begin with the triangle at the top. Balance, Relaxation and Impulsion. We can not split the importance of these three things. When a horse feels out of balance they won’t be relaxed which will then affect their impulsion. Depending on their nature they will either speed up or be too slow. It is important we consider these three things at all times. Balance and relaxation is the job of our hands and to have good impulsion simply means a clear understanding of our legs.
Respect of the horse
The first principle of training is respect so any force or restricting gadgets need to be banished. We need to take our time to teach the horse the language of the aids, beginning with words and building to complex sentences. We focus on relaxation, balance and impulsion in equal measures. We can not split the importance of these three things.
We also need to allow the horse control of how quickly they progress and we need to be their teachers not their oppressor.
“To plan a good sequence of learning is the art of good riding…” Philippe Karl
Every horse is unique and learns at its own pace. By allowing the horse to be in control of their progress, you can tailor the training to their individual needs and abilities. This helps promote their learning and development.
This also allows them to have a voice in their training. This holistic approach ensures that their physical and mental well-being is considered, reducing the risk of physical or emotional stress.
When horses feel in control over their progress, they become more engaged and motivated. This can lead to increased focus, willingness to learn, and overall enjoyment.
We need to prevent situations where the horse feels overwhelmed or forced to perform tasks they are not ready for.
Horses are intelligent and sensitive creatures. This ability to make decisions within boundaries can contribute to the horse's overall development as a trainable and reliable partner.
Balance
All horses will prefer more weight to one shoulder and this connects to their natural asymmetries. We begin with exercises on the ground to help yield the shoulders and create an equal balance in their own body. We also teach them to use the neck in a more suitable position to remain light in the hand. Horses who don't feel in balance will never be truly relaxed.
Relaxation
This is only achievable when the horse understands the bit in their mouth. We begin this education with flexions and with the horse stationary . This isolates the education and is easier for the horse to learn the complex language of our hands. We encourage a soft mobility of the lower jaw and something we observe throughout training. Relaxation is the job of our hands which the horse will learn to trust.
Impulsion
Good Impulsion simply means a clear understanding of our legs. The horse will learn to respond to the lightest touch of our legs. Without good impulsion will look dull and lifeless but when created with tension will cause chaos and stress. We never use the legs with opposing aids from the hands. This doesn't make sense to the horse and will create tension and lack of balance. Hand without leg, leg without hand.
Flexibility
When the horse is relaxed to the hand the rider can develop lateral flexibility. This will help supple the whole spine and reduce any crookedness. We isolate bending and turning with the fléchi droit (bending on the straight line) This will improve the balance to the shoulders and help prepare the horse for circles, shoulder-in etc.
Mobility
Once we have a relaxed, balanced and forward horse we can begin the gymnastic exercises to further improve the balance and straightness. Lateral work will give mobility in all directions and transitions will help with the longitudinal mobility. Upward transition are a test of impulsion and lightness to the leg and downward transitions are tests of lightness to the hand and response to the seat
Collection
When the horse has an in-depth understanding of our hands and our legs, are able to remain relaxed and in balance with good mobility then collection will become accessible. When they can transition between trot and rein-back without hesitation or any resistance then the piaffe, the height of collection will become available to all breeds of horse.
Following the principles of Légèreté we begin schooling our horses from the ground Up! We have a systematic approach based very much around the flexions which we introduce to the horse stationary and then proceed to include the same flexions in-hand. We also value work on the lunge where the horse can improve their balance and forward paces without carrying the rider. We prioritise shoulder balance on the lunge to perfect straight lines, circles and squares and address each horses natural asymmetries with exercises in-hand.
We use a gymnastic exercise program that encourages the horse to stay relaxed and flexible which helps them develop the necessary strength and balance required for self carriage. We never fix the horse into one position and put a strong emphasis on correct neck extension in all paces. We teach the horse to copy our rein length without leaning on the hands or over flexing the poll and teach them to keep a contact to our hands. We never force the horse into an outline causing the neck to shorten and contract their topline.
A horse who is comfortable and relax will move freely and with elegance.
