suzii
Novice Willy Washer
Officially In Love With A Young Bay Man :D
Posts: 882
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Post by suzii on May 10, 2008 20:46:45 GMT
Is working a horse in an outline natural? It seems emphasized alot all the time, sometimes I wonder if it would be best to let the horse go how it wants to (obviously not bombing across feild ect!!) I suppose though, you could say is riding horses natural? Is that why we should train them to work in an outline? Because it's easier for them to carry us?? Sorry, I know i'm dumb!!  |
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Post by maximum on May 10, 2008 20:58:59 GMT
you are not dumb!! you have a thirst for knowledge!!
Riding a horse is not natural, they have developed to move and carry their own weight not ours so in order to allow them to carry us we have to change their way of going in order that they can carry us and their own weight in a way that means they can maximise their potential with the least amount of wear and tear on the horses body.
the aim of riding is to help it go in the way it does without a rider, if it can move freely under a rider it will relax. by riding in an outline the horse will have a loose back and supple muscles.
this why the scales of training are so important for the well being of the horse regardless of its level.
the scales are Rythym - looseness - contact - impulsion - straightness - collection.
By letting the horse 'go as it wants' it will be on its forehand and this leads to tripping, stumbling etc at its worst and to a rather uncomfortable ride at best!
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Post by brigadier on May 11, 2008 6:00:48 GMT
Hi Suzii
as above- try and think of the horses progression according to the above scales. for years we have been so interested in getting horses to track up and then pulling their noses in that we have forgot the basics. I spent all last Sunday watching a classically trained french rider instructing- see post re Anya Berren who, without exception had every rider off the horses mouth and not once did any of the horses track up. she had taken them right back to basics and was developing looseness.
some of these horses were at medium level with the riders using double bridles etc.
It brought it home to me just which way riding is going now- the basics have to be correct- thats why I didnt post a quick fix on How to get the horse on the bit on your last post- I thought it important for you to achieve the independant seat first!
Your questions are great- keep them coming- its lovely to see such enthusiasm!
Brig
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suzii
Novice Willy Washer
Officially In Love With A Young Bay Man :D
Posts: 882
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Post by suzii on May 12, 2008 11:27:58 GMT
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ceej
Administrator 
im back.... :)
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Post by ceej on May 13, 2008 10:30:03 GMT
some horses do naturally carry themselves in more of an outline too - the andalusians and lippizannas of this world have a natural posture that makes it easier...
think too about people - we all slunch our shoulders and slouch and get bad necks and backs...pilates trains us to hold ourselves by having core strength - it eliminates so many niggly little aches and pains that we dont even grumpble about by training ourselves to walk the way we should, even though naturally we are lazy and slouch!
dressage = pilates for the horse (!) and helps not only to take that extra strain of the rider (which is what it is essential for) , but in day to day comfort too...!!
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