03/12/2022
More and more, I am finding that any talks, instruction or written information on the subjects of ‘collection’ or ‘feel’ are so far removed from how I was taught, that I must stop—from taking part, listening in or even reading them.
Why? Because more and more, these two topics centre wholly on our hands, on the front half of the horse.
Interesting to me is the fact that the ridden discipline does not matter. Whether Dressage or Western performance, the concepts of feel and of collection seemingly exist in that two-way communication between the rider and the bit. I cannot comment or join in because this is so foreign to how I ride, I have nothing to add.
“More outside rein!” or “Bridle him up!” are two of the most common commands from a teacher to an advanced student, no matter the sport or the arenas.
I think also that this explains exactly why the number one issue we see with so many riders is their incessant looking down. They are so focused on their hands, so tuned into that which is going on in front of them.
I was taught so strictly to hold the reins with little more thought or importance than I would, say, while holding up the hem of a long skirt, as I climbed a set of stairs. More vital to my success at getting up those stairs will be what I’m doing underneath that skirt!
Yes, I thought that would get your attention!
So, back to the seat and legs… The only conjoined body parts between us and the horse. This entire ‘interface’ is where the mind of the rider must be, in my opinion. This is why our head is easily up and our eyes not focused, but are kept soft… because the rider’s mind is in no way focused on the horse’s head and neck.
I learned this early on, knowing that if my horse felt like he, or she, was going ‘on rails’, the rear engine was working in a way to propel the rest of the horse into roundness. That the horse was swinging through from behind. I learned to listen to the footfalls of the horse to know if this was, in fact, true. While various breeds and sizes of horse move somewhat differently, it is surprising how the feel of any horse moving from behind is remarkably similar to the rider’s seat and legs.
What were my reins for? Well, they initiated the bend for the horse by picking up my inside rein first—only slightly—and then, riding the horse onto the outside rein. It always surprised me how little I needed the inside rein at all, once the horse developed a liking and understanding of going well from behind. Certainly, my reins have very little to do with getting my horse to carry himself vertically in front, a notion that I am only now beginning to see is unusual in today’s horsemanship.
Allied to this is my opinion that the hands don't much matter; that our 'softness' is more accurately to be found in our elbows.
I am now realizing why I feel so strongly that the bits my horses use are of no particular importance. One seems to serve just as well as the other, though if I am honest, I can see that some horses prefer certain mouthpieces over others, just as we have our favourite pair of jeans. It does not mean that we hate all others, or that we can’t work well in a different style!
I wish this mindset was taught more often, that it was more widely understood. Everything comes from behind… and our ‘feel’ should be born in our minds and in our seats. Period. Knowing, understanding and doing this is the key to collection and it has precious little to do with riding the inside leg to the outside rein.
There. I said it.
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If there is anything I write that gets you to thinking more deeply about your horsemanship, I'd love to share a virtual 'cup of coffee'. Thank you for the gift of your time. Cheers, Lee.
buymeacoffee.com/horsewoman
