14/03/2025
❤️
𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐳: 𝐀 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
I’ve found that the more I learn about Manolo Mendez’s approach to classical dressage, the more it resonates with me on a deeply personal level. His philosophy is not just about the technical aspects of riding or training, it’s about the relationship between the horse and rider. It’s about building a connection rooted in mutual respect and understanding. This is something that, as a rider and coach, I find incredibly powerful and inspiring.
Manolo’s approach emphasizes the importance of listening to the horse, understanding its body, its mind, and its emotions. This holistic view goes beyond just getting the right movement; it’s about helping the horse feel balanced, relaxed, and confident. I think this is something that many riders, including myself, can sometimes overlook. We often get caught up in the goal of performing a movement or achieving a specific result, forgetting that true success comes from a partnership where the horse feels secure and willing to learn.
What I find most striking about Manolo’s philosophy is his patience and commitment to revisiting the basics. The idea that “the hardest work for both trainer and horse is to be prepared to revisit the basics many times to reach your goals” really speaks to me. It’s a reminder that there are no shortcuts in the training process. Every step, no matter how small, matters. And as simple as it sounds, revisiting the basics is often where we make the most progress.
Another thing I admire about Manolo is his belief that training should not just be about performance but also about healing. He believes that the horse’s physical and emotional well-being should always be the priority. This approach is something I try to carry into my own coaching. It’s easy to focus on pushing a horse to perform, but the foundation must always be about creating a horse that feels healthy, comfortable, and confident.
Another exercise that Manolo frequently incorporates into his training is the straight line with lateral flexion. This exercise is designed to help the horse develop better balance, body awareness, and flexibility while working in a straight line. The rider guides the horse on a long rein while asking for slight lateral flexion through the neck, encouraging the horse to soften and bend gently to the inside. The focus is on maintaining straightness in the body while allowing the horse to stretch through its top line and engage its hindquarters. This exercise helps correct any stiffness, improve the horse’s alignment, and encourage it to move with more fluidity and suppleness. By performing this exercise in-hand, the horse learns how to maintain a straight line while also engaging in controlled lateral movement, preparing it for more complex work under saddle. It also builds the horse’s confidence and responsiveness, as it learns to respond to subtle cues and gain a better understanding of balance and coordination. Manolo’s emphasis on exercises like this shows his belief in laying a strong foundation of posture and connection, setting the horse up for success in future training.
Manolo’s teachings have had a significant impact on my own practice as a coach. His respect for the horse and the time he takes to observe and understand each animal is something I strive to bring into my own work. I want to create an environment where my horses feel heard and safe, not just pushed to perform.
Though I haven’t yet had the chance to attend one of his clinics, I dream of the day when I can experience his approach firsthand. I know it would be a transformative experience for me, one that would deepen my understanding of not only dressage but the true art of working with horses.
The Dovecote Stables is a friendly training centre based in Oxfordshire specialising in training for
