19/11/2024
Something I talk about a lot, Timing and Feel
When one talks of a rider’s ability to feel, one understands his ability, at all times, to judge how well he is sitting, his effectiveness, his giving of aids and equally, as far as his horse is concerned, its responsiveness, its degree of collection and whether it is paying attention. This sense of feeling should tell the rider how his horse is going, when action or an aid is necessary and with what degree of firmness; then quick judgment as to whether what he did was effective and the intention achieved or whether the action should be repeated.
Feeling is something one has to teach oneself. Teachers can only try to stimulate it by good instruction, advice on self-discipline, appropriate lessons, and the way they react to the manner in which the pupil tries to carry out their commands. …
It is the horse which is undoubtedly the best and only master of the art of giving the rider a sense of feel. One has only to interpret its reactions and make corresponding corrections. …
Feeling will only be learned by the person who uses his brain and interprets what he feels.
Riding Logic
by W. Müseler
(p.29-31)
