J&W Performance Horses

07/12/2023

What is collection truly?
Collection is not a head set, it is not “tucking the chin” and it is not the restraining of the head and squeezing of the body.

To simplify, collection is the availability of the horse’s body. It is the ability of the hind limbs to bear weight equally and of the shoulders to be free, supple, and directable.

You cannot simply get this by bringing the horse’s chin in, you cannot get this by simply squeezing the horse via the legs into a restraining hand, and you cannot get this with tie downs, side reins, Martingales, or other restrictive gear. Muscles cannot be supple by method of any restrictive positioning - muscles must be stretched, posture must be changed, the horse must be released, relaxed, and given time to understand and develop.

The only way to develop collection is through systematic athletic development over time. It is not done in a weekend clinic or even in several months. It is done by an educated seat and hand, and adherence to classical principles - guiding the horse toward equal weight bearing hind limbs and straightness through the body. This is the essence of classical dressage - the development of the horse as an athlete and partner, and to enhance his natural ability and create longevity and wellbeing.

Photo is of Manolo Mendez

17/11/2023

Ingrid Klimke – more on stretching to consider:
“I think it really shows he stretches from the wither, really down, and makes his neck really long, and the nose forward, that is important. Some horses crawl behind the vertical, holding their nose very tight to their chest, then you feel that the back is still tight – the stretching must be from the hindleg over a swinging loose back, and then stretch really down. You see how long his neck is and he is still saying, softy, yes, I know the way is free. My father always said, think of stretching the nose to the sand.
https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2021/06/brilliant-basics-with-ingrid-klimke-two-stallions/

12/11/2023

https://dressagetoday.com/theory/importance-riding-stretching-position-uta-graf/?fbclid=IwAR2xoAoGufRwvRvlJO5uaEfuXzqIJy8Z44Ojxh1YmoMAwINm83VC-4AeTuc

Uta Gräf of Germany that this exercise is an important part of training not just for young horses or dressage horses, but for all horses.

24/10/2023

Horse sale ISO ads :
Adult amateur here, back to riding after 76 years off ! I’m looking for my unicorn 🦄 must be EXACTLY 15.68373 hands. NO VICES and must be sane!!!!! I really REALLY VALUE SANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rider is highly educated beginner missing a leg with major balance issues and will be deceased immediately if the horse looks sideways at one leaf. I can’t afford to get hurt so don’t bother sending photos of your CRAZY HORSES.

Looking to get my silver medal, have no trainer, not in the budget, but I follow ten video libraries! 🥉 Looking for flashy movements that win in the show ring that are easy to sit with tons of suspension that requires virtually no skill to ride. Horse must be FORWARD for fearful rider to clutch and scream “woah” at.

NO MARES, will not tolerate a SINGLE mood, I will be the only one in hysterics thank you very much. I will only look at a gelding of ages 3-4 years old and must be DEAD BROKE. Only willing to entertain bays. Budget $500. Don’t waste my time with anything that doesn’t fit these parameters!

03/09/2023

Round

What does it mean to make your horse round?

Contrary to what many believe, round, when it pertains to the horse, is not in the neck but rather in the back. Sadly, the hyper fixation on having a particular head set is part of a larger problem which stems from the lack of understanding in what a properly moving horse looks like, as well as how horses use their body to help themselves balance and move when they lack the physical strength and training to be in self carriage. Any position, regardless of whether it is considered "healthy" and correct, if held consistently throughout the ride will create tension. Suppleness is brought by constant changes in posture throughout the training session, however these position can never be forced or held by the rider, only encouraged and guided.

Roundness itself refers to the back of the horse, who through correct training is able to carry himself with his hind as opposed to pulling himself along and "grabbing ground" with the forelegs. The measure of self carriage is by assessing the angle of the spine and the engagement of the abdominal muscles and hind end through high-level movements.