Rancho del Soule Dressage

29/10/2024

Today's Lesson: REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS

""When you have had a good ride one day, it is wonderful, but it is also very dangerous."--Walter Zettl

It is human nature to desire success. It also human nature to assume that success comes in a progressive manner. While dressage training is based on systematic pyramid of progression, it is imperative to remember that a horse requires many repetitions (NOT in a drilling manner) in order master a new skill or task.

It is of special note when training the young or green horse to keep this in mind. Just because your horse obediently responds to your request for a few steps of leg yield today does not mean that he understands the concept in such a manner that he can answer your request with immediate compliance the next time he is asked. Riders often fail to remember this. You must also consider that when introducing new exercises or movements, the seemingly compliant horse performs easily on day one and day two, then on day three may be balky or even refuse the exercise. This often due to muscle soreness.

It is horse nature to want to comply with the request of his partner (herd leader). There is always has a reason for horse failing to answer the question the rider puts forward. It is the responsibility of the thinking, training rider to figure out why the horse is unable to comply.

28/10/2024

Today's Lesson: DRESSAGE IS GYMNASTICIZING

"Dressage develops the horse's physique and suppleness and improves the horse's three natural gaits, making it a pleasure to ride. Dressage is considered "classical training" because it uses gymnastic exercises--a series of movements and figures--which have been studied and developed for centuries. When done systematically and correctly, the exercises will cause the horse to be supple on both sides and to respond willingly and obediently, moving freely and energetically, with pure gaits and to the maximum level of its athletic ability. "

"Figures, movements (sideways), and transitions such as trot to halt, or walk to canter. These exercises can be used to start a young horse or to retrain an older one, and can be used by riders primarily interested in other equestrian sports, such as western riding. As the horse and rider progress, more difficult gymnastic exercises are introduced into their training program. As a result, the advanced horse becomes an athlete, developing strength, flexibility, and the ability to perform collected and extended gaits with lightness and brilliance. This performance of grace and athleticism is beautiful to witness when the horse and rider work in harmony." -- Charles de Kunffy

In summary: The movements are a means to an end, NOT the end unto itself.

14/06/2024

Do you know which one is correct?

10/06/2024

"The quality of the seat determines whether we can even speak of “riding”, or whether the horse simply has to “deal with” the load on his back.” - Kurt Albrecht

10/06/2024

As you head down centerline, just breathe. Remember this is just another training session. Same horse, same rider, same goals, different venue. No one knows where you've been, how far your partnership has come, or what your goals for this ride might be. Rhythm and Relaxation are perfect goals. Enjoy the moment and dance with your horse!

08/06/2024

"Horsemanship is not merely a matter of bodily skills, but is based on scholarship and, therefore, is a matter of the mind and intellect. Good horsemanship is based on proper character development and, therefore, is also a matter of mentality and spirit. Without the correct attitudes and insights, there cannot be the right sport." - Charles de Kunffy"Horsemanship is not merely a matter of bodily skills, but is based on scholarship and, therefore, is a matter of the mind and intellect. Good horsemanship is based on proper character development and, therefore, is also a matter of mentality and spirit. Without the correct attitudes and insights, there cannot be the right sport." - Charles de Kunffy

06/06/2024

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

**********Thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

09/05/2024

"Any lateral bend should always be obtained by stretching the outside of the bend, never by shortening the inside!"
(Dr.med.vet. Erich Kotzab, 2006)

06/05/2024