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Chad Basile Dressage, Webster, NY (2024)

07/08/2024

07/03/2024

Christoph Hess on the direction dressage should be heading:
“For me, it is wrong when the rider is coming with his upper body behind the vertical. For me, the advice to every rider, is rising trot and light seat in canter, do it like this, and when you do this, then as a rider you get another feeling. Looking from the biomechanics point of view, you get more the feeling to be with the horse.” Ingrid Klimke and Damon Hill demonstrate appropriately in the CHIO Aachen warm up arena:
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2022/08/is-dressage-heading-in-the-right-direction/

04/04/2024

"Effective aids are not exhausting to the rider and not souring to the horse." –Charles De Kunffy

Let’s take this apart.

“𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗮𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿”
👉 This means that your aids should not be excessive. Are you kicking and kicking and your horse isn’t listening? Are you pulling on the reins so hard your shoulders ache? These are signs that your aids are not being executed correctly.

If you feel like you’re hitting a wall or your horse isn’t listening… stop. Regroup. Take a step back and assess the situation from the outside, without any emotion or bias. Think about WHY your horse isn’t responding the way you want them to. Always remember: more is not always more. Break apart your roadblock piece by piece, back track, and try to pinpoint where your horse got stuck in the first place.

If you’re at this level of frustration, your horse probably didn’t understand a concept previously. Meet them where they are at and help them understand with patience, kindness, and correctness.

“𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲”
👉 Your horse should be both willing and able to perform the skills you ask of him. Read that again - he needs to be WILLING and ABLE. If your horse is showing signs of discomfort such as ear pinning or kicking out, ask yourself: is my horse willing right now? Is he able to physically and mentally do what I am asking of him?

A sour horse can be the result of many different scenarios. Our horse’s comfort should be our #1 priority, so make sure you address any sourness that arises in order to prevent serious mental or physical damage. Call your vet, seek out a saddle fitter, increase your horse’s turnout time… Whatever it is, make sure you get to the bottom of it.

If your aids are calm, precise, and direct but your horse is still not responding correctly, pause. Take a step back and assess the horse from head to hoof. If a horse is showing signs of discomfort he is trying to tell you something. Listen.

𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒂 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚!
🩵 𝑱𝑱 𝑻𝒂𝒕𝒆

🐴: Denali
📸: Richard Malmgren

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01/24/2024

01/15/2024

An excellent article talking about how the seat and leg create roundness and it’s not to do with pulling on the reins. Good education on the double bridle as well. Enjoy 😊

Truths about contact with Coby van Baalen and Jo Hinnemann:“The rider should never force contact with the hands. “Everyone has pulled on the reins to get a horse’s head and neck in the right position,” van Baalen says, “but to no avail. It’s always detrimental to the horse’s schooling. It may look nice – such a proud, round neck – and the horse may even come up a bit. However, if the shape of the neck is not the outcome of the driving aids and a good contact with the seat and legs, then it’s meaningless, because the hindquarters aren’t active and the back isn’t swinging, allowing the movement to flow through the body.”https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2019/07/jo-hinnemann-on-contact/

01/05/2024

12/19/2023

“No Big Deal”

There are all kinds of horse training traps that create tension and argument, and one of the most common is for the human to make too big a deal out of some perceived resistance or lack of responsiveness or, worse, some “disobedience” on the part of the horse.

This can take many forms. The horse seems a bit stuck about moving off the leg. Or he moves a step or two at the halt. Or the upward or downward transition isn’t smooth. Or he misses picking up the correct lead a couple of times. Or or or or, whatever.

The calm trainers, those who tend not to get triggered, will maybe make a couple of attempts at correction, but they won’t get obsessed to the point that they amp up the heat. They know, consciously or unconsciously, that changes happen over long periods of time, and that taking a horse to, and then beyond, its anxiety threshold is counter productive.

The good trainers have a sort of “no big deal” attitude about the litany of daily situations that are less than ideal. They are OK about it because they know that there are ALWAYS situations that are less than ideal, and that if they pick up on some of them and drill to fix them, instead of making it better, it will make the horse tight, nervous, and more resistant.

Having a “no big deal” reaction can be a learned response. And, sure, even the good trainers will sometimes step briefly across the line, but not often, not for long, and they will be quick to apologize to the horse by dialing the pressure down.

This doesn't mean that they will not readdress the problem at some later time, but they will sort of sneak up on it, get maybe a glimmer of improvement, then go on to something else.

11/07/2023

Flexion vs Bend

For the sake of clarity of this post, and specifically equine education, I am going to generalise by saying that people misunderstand/confuse the terms Flexion and Bend. These terms are used interchangeably without clear comprehension or clear ex*****on during training.

FLEXION
Flexion refers only to the change in position of the joint found just behind the ears and poll – Atlas axis joint. Flexion refers to the decrease in angle between 2 related body parts (bones). From the point of origin to the point of insertion. Only one joint is involved.

BEND
Bend refers to a change in position or curve throughout the horse’s body, nose to tail.
Bend is when several subsequent muscles along the same line of direction are equally contracted/activated, resulting in the body/body parts creating a curve. More than one joint is involved.

https://www.xenophonec.com/single-post/flexion-vs-bend

08/19/2023

A very well written and thought out post about connect and the riders hands among other issues.

I once rode in a lesson with an Olympic coach who told me that there were three things that could not be “fixed” in a dressage horse. He told me that one of these things was contact issues.
Anybody who has ever had a horse with serious, deep-rooted contact issues knows how disheartening and frustrating it can be, so I can understand why someone would say something like this.
Thankfully, I believe differently. From a very young age I have been educated by professionals who still believe that training dressage horses is a skill and an art and a huge part of this is problem solving.

Of course, a major factor leading to contact issues that will never be resolved by even the best training, is physical discomfort.
Dental problems, ill-fitting tack, mouth sores, pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back and even in the limbs or feet can all lead to resistance or avoidance in the contact.
All of these things need to be addressed before it will start to be more clear what the cause of the contact issue is.

Once you’ve determined that the horse is healthy and comfortable, you can be fairly sure that the issue is coming from the riding and/or the horse’s lack of proper training.
For the purpose of this post, I’ll skip my thoughts on properly starting a young horse, but focus on trouble shooting for the horses who have developed contact issues later in life.

There are a handful (no pun intended) of riding related reasons that a horse may be having contact issues.

The first and most obvious is the riders hands. Rough or unsteady hands, sudden movements or gripping the reins tightly can create discomfort for the horse and hinder proper connection.

If the use of harsh hands are intentional, this is improper training. Incorrect or harsh training techniques can lead to resistance or contact issues that horses will associate with the bit. Discomfort or pressure, leads them to evade or resist the contact.

If the harsh use of the hands is NOT intentional, we chalk it up to inexperience or a lack of sensitive feel on the riders part. Inconsistent rein aids, unintentional tugs, or sudden movements can confuse the horse and lead to resistance.

In this same vein, inexperienced riders that may be lacking sensitive feel and mismatched aids can also cause confusion for the horse. If the riders leg and seat aids are not in harmony with the rein aids, these conflicting aids can cause inconsistencies and contact issues.

I would classify most of these rider issues as “mental factors” for the horse. Poor riding results in confusion, frustration or fear for the horse. Harsh hands and confusing aids will cause a horse to loose trust in the rider and the horse will then avoid or resist the connection.

This next set of “causes” are more closely related to the training rather than the riding.
The first is as simple as a lack of education about the reins. Horses that haven’t been properly educated about the rider’s aids and the meaning of the reins, will generally struggle to understand how to respond to contact cues.

The next is tension or stiffness. Horses that are tense, stiff or lacking suppleness in their body may struggle to maintain a soft, consistent connection. Tension makes it difficult for the horse to seek the bit and move with fluidity.

Lack of engagement is another issue that can cause contact issues. Horses that are not properly engaged may lack the necessary impulsion and balance to maintain a correct contact. Engagement of the hindquarters is crucial for carrying the weight and seeking the bit.

The last is as simple as the training progression itself. Progressing too quickly through the training stages without establishing a solid foundation can lead to contact issues. Horses need time to develop the strength, balance, and understanding required for a correct connection.

Addressing contact issues involves a combination of proper training, a lot of rider education, addressing physical discomfort, and building a trusting relationship between horse and rider. Working with experienced trainers and professionals (ones that do believe these issues can be fixed) can help identify the root causes of contact issues and develop effective strategies for resolving them.

PC: Bethany P Photography

07/25/2023

🌟 Enhance Your Mental Focus in Dressage Training 🌟

Hey everyone! It’s hot in Texas, so here I am writing instead of riding. I want to shed some light on the crucial role of mental focus and AWARENESS in our training endeavors. Dressage requires not only physical ability, but also a sharp, disciplined mind. So, let's look at some valuable mental focus exercises to take your training to the next level:

1️⃣ Mindful Breathing: Start each training session with a few moments of focused breathing. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and let go of distractions. Centering yourself through mindful breathing can calm the mind, enhance focus, and create a mental space conducive to productive training.

2️⃣ Visualization: Engage in the practice of visualization to mentally rehearse your rides. Close your eyes and vividly imagine yourself executing each movement with precision and elegance. Visualizing successful performances can help build confidence and improve your ability to focus during actual rides.

3️⃣ Concentration Exercises: Incorporate concentration exercises into your routine. Set specific mental tasks for each ride, such as focusing solely on your seat, your horse's rhythm, or the connection between your aids and the horse's response. By honing your ability to concentrate on specific elements, you'll improve overall focus in the saddle. Take breaks between these sets of concentrated work.

4️⃣ Positive Self-Talk: Cultivate a positive inner dialogue during training. Replace self-doubt or negative thoughts with encouraging and affirming statements. Remind yourself of your capabilities, acknowledge your progress, and embrace a mindset of resilience and growth. Positive self-talk can foster mental clarity and confidence.

5️⃣ Eliminate Distractions: Create a focused training environment by minimizing distractions. Silence your phone, find a serene space, and establish clear boundaries for uninterrupted training time. By removing external disruptions, you can fully immerse yourself in the present moment and give your undivided attention to your horse.

6️⃣ Stay Present: Practice being fully present during your rides. Train your mind to let go of past mistakes or future worries, and channel your focus into the current task. Pay attention to the sensations in your body, your horse's movements, and the subtle cues exchanged between you. Being present allows for better communication and responsiveness.

7️⃣ Reflect and Review: After each training session, take time to reflect and review your performance. Analyze your mental state during the ride, identifying moments of strong focus and areas for improvement. By regularly evaluating your mental focus, you can refine your training approach and develop strategies for sustained concentration.

Personally, I have also found huge help in practicing a combination of meditation as well as Feldenkrais and Somatics exercises. I find these are a nice mix of meditation and body awareness exercises that result in a more comfortable and “easy” state of mind and body for the barn and in the saddle.

Remember, dressage is as much a mental discipline as it is a physical one. By incorporating these mental focus exercises into your training routine, you can sharpen your concentration, enhance your connection with your horse, and elevate your overall performance.

Stay focused, stay determined, and embrace the transformative power of a disciplined mind. 🌟💪

Happy training!

06/16/2023

This is so important right now with the current state of Dressage and showmanship in the Dressage ring.

Georg Theodorescu was not just as a great trainer and teacher, but also as a standard bearer of civilised riding, indeed civilisation itself…
"When horses are young, the number one thing to remember is that they are children. Of course they have to get used to the weight of the rider, and that is more than enough for that age. They have to get the equilibrium, the balance, with someone on their back. The minute the rider gets on, the horse has lost his balance. Okay, he is alright in walk - but how is the canter and the trot? And everyone expects this poor young horse to dance, and it is much too early."
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2022/03/georg-theodorescu-dressage-is-not-just-a-sport/

01/08/2023

Why trainers PUSH horses TOO FAST

Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, healthier, more powerful horse. It's easier to sell a horse that looks
like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved.
Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but aren't . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks."

Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast
Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus.

Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. It's very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art."

Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horse's body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the
training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation.
Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horse's mouth and teeth."

Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horse's mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller.
Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a rider's fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse."

Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the rider's mood. A rider shouldn't ride if she is under undue stress or doesn't have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; don't work in the arena. The horse mirrors the rider's mood."

Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because he's excited, praise him for it. You shouldn't stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you don't want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER
punish him for offering the piaffe.

12/08/2022

Kyra Kyrklund is one of the world’s great masters of the highly collected movements – piaffe and canter pirouette in particular. Plus she is a great communicator:
“Before asking for collection, you must teach short steps. Teach with the hand and whip, no leg, and shorten the steps until there is nearly no trot at all. As dressage riders we should all become better at mathematics!”
Kyra explains rides between two markers and counts the strides - 13 steps. Then she rides the same distance in short steps counting as she goes – 19 steps. Now, she puts the leg on, and rides it in nine long steps... Find out more:
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2022/01/kyra-kyrklund-developing-collection/