09/03/2024
Überstreichen:
Translated from the German, über means over, and streichen means to stroke or pet. Put simply, überstreichen is slacking of the reins by moving both hands forward along the horse’s neck for several strides, demonstrating that the horse is in self-carriage. During this release, the tempo, balance and outline of the horse should not change. It can also be a test of diagonal connection – inside leg to outside rein, and bend by just releasing the inside rein for several strides while riding on a curved line, the goal being that the bend and balance remain the same. In both cases the reins are taken softly back up afterward.
