Dressage notes week 2

FOCUS ON SUSSECCFUL DRESSAGE  - July 2011 Copyright J.A. Garrett   
OVERVIEW OF SESSION TWO
 
Refresh on what we covered on week one – feedback and questions. Followed by understanding your particular horses strengths and weaknesses – conformation type temperament – attitudes to dressage work etc .
 
Started the session with a brainstorm as to ‘what you/we did when went out to school our horse/s ‘on the flat’ – warm up focus stretch, transitions, flexions from base of neck and ‘the carrot exercise’ – the importance of doing this AFTER the horse as warm. Content of the first phase of a session warm stretching, focused – tuned in etc.
 
Explanation of a flat work schooling session – divide into three, first third warm up, focus stretch, flex.
Second third the ‘guts of the session’ – the movements and ‘work out’ of the session – near the end of this session recommend walk on a long rein to reward horse (although always reward any feeling of better work) ‘reflect’ on the work positive things first and then make a judgment call as to doing a little more work on the same movements or choose something the horse knows well - before the last third to finish on a good note and warm down – could be long and low again – going for a ride – walking to cool down etc. Always end as good friends!
 
What school movements (shapes) do you ride ? Are you making them work to make progress in your training?
We took the example of serpentines – the use of cones on the centre line to help keep your ‘loops’ of equal size – accurate riding – the importance riding the horse straight across the centre line and into the new curve/bend/direction legs and use of outside rein and inside leg, turning your upper body not leaning over rather then ‘just steering the horse with your inside rein’. Develop the serpentine work by using transitions a different pace for each loop. Progress on to make the serpentine more pear shape, introduce a circle within each loop. Recommend you became creative with other school movements/shapes in a similar way to make this a training ‘tool’ .
Lateral work example used parallel legyield  (LY) – what is LY what should it look like what should it feel like – suggestions to get the feel of this walk in on your own 2 feet, visualize FORWARD and slightly sideways. Timing of the ‘move over aid/leg is important. Why do LY what are the benefits what does it require the horse to do – go forward and step under the body weight. For the rider more co=ordination of hands, legs and weight to negotiate the horse. Gets the horse yielding to the leg – a step towards bending him.
Dressage whips – how to select – not to flexible with a wide knob and thick enough where you hold it to prevent you having to tighten your hand to grip it ( leads to uneven contact). Whip needs to be balanced. How to hold and use demoed. – wider hand before you use can be helpful to prevent pulling back. Using 2 whips can be good. Work at being able to carry and use the whip with both hands – very important.
 
Rein contact – amounts consistency direction (positioning of hand and arm) of contact with bars of mouth. Fun Exercise – with reins – what feels like an even contact to me does not feel even to you!!  Used spring balances to check amounts of tension. Contact needs to be even for horse to step evenly under body weight a stronger hand on one side puts the hand brake on the hind leg on that side. When on a curve outside rein should be against the neck inside rein away from the neck. Communicating down the rein – vibration – not a sock in the teeth!!! A soft squeezing or inward turn of the wrist. Think of the contact continuing up your arm and into your shoulder not something that stops at your hand. Gadget for telling what your rein contact is like go to website
www.telerien.co.nz
 
Half Halt (HH)   What is a HH why are they so important. What should you be doing when giving a HH – key elements LEG BEFORE HAND” instant leg response simultaneously use of back, seat and lastly hand.
Spurs -  - purpose – refined aid not a prodder to make resistant horse go – ‘get real’ about why the horse resists. – fitting types of spur  The old Quote ‘ you need to earn your spurs’ I have not heard this one for many years but in effect it means you need to have a secure/stable lower leg before you use spurs.
Any Requests
Draw for free lesson was won by Gina Cork
 
 
NEXT WEEK – we will have Video of rider working to improve position and balance. More on the scales of training. The Suppleness = two curves, The rider – position balance – body shape, ‘FEEL’ = harmony.
The praise chain – for joyful submission,  Lateral work explained