THE RIDDEN HORSE

Page Update: 18th August 2008

In General

NOTHING is more satisfying that riding a well mannered horse. However this does not happen by magic. It takes time and correct, well established training to produce a horse which is responsive to the aids, accepts a contact and is polite.

WHETHER or not you choose to follow the competition route it is important that your horse has a clear understanding of how to behave whilst being ridden. This is of primary importance from the moment you set foot in the great outdoors. The countryside is not as quiet and peaceful as it used to be and just about everyone has to contend with lorries, fast moving cars and motorbikes alongside pushchairs, umbrellas and barking dogs to name but a few of the hazards that can be encountered. And if you come across a log that's just crying out to be jumped - well you want to know that your horse has the same opinion!.

THE journey from the unbacked youngster to the confident, respectful riding horse is sometimes a long one, but extremely rewarding.

Backing

BY THE time a young horse is actually ready to be backed it will have been through the various ground training stages so that it has developed a stronger physical structure and so more able to carry weight on its back. Throughout the ground training period we are constantly assessing a young horse's development so that the right time can be chosen actual backing for the particular individual and the transition is as smooth and easy as possible.

WE STILL prefer to carry out the backing process over several sessions rather than taking the approach that "today is the day". In other words we will have spent time preparing the young horse for being sat on. Usually leaning over and then ultimately sitting astride a young horse does not present any difficulties if sufficient preparation has been done but however there are always the exceptions even if no specific reason(s) is evident other than the horse just being wary of the process. Unfortunately though, quite a number of the horses that find themselves with us have had their early training started by someone else and something has gone wrong in that horse, handler or both have managed to frighten each other; this results in a lack of confidence and a worsening of the situation.

WHEN a young horse decides that it really does not want someone on its back whether by being unhappy about being leant on or reacting once someone is on top, depending upon what has gone wrong, it can sometimes take quite a while to restore confidence. As with any situation that has caused a horse to become tense, stressed or actually frightened, it takes considerably longer to restore the status quo. This is why those who are not experienced in backing young horses pass the task to those that are. It is so important that equine training is only undertaken by those with adequate experience as sadly it is not uncommon for a horse to be mentally scarred to such an extent that he never does fully overcome his trauma.

Early Ridden Work

THIS is really is confined to simple rein changes in walk and trot whilst the young horse learns to balance himself once again now that he has a rider to carry. Once the horse has established that balance again, then we can begin to influence his way of going and the outline he makes.

HORSES vary considerably at this stage as some adjust much more quickly and begin seeking a proper rein contact sooner than others, but whatever the speed of development, maintaining free, forward movement is our main concern at this point.

THIS little 4 year old mare, "Lily" is well-balanced despite only having been ridden away for a few days when this photogaph was taken.

SHE is already seeking a contact, is not overly on the forehand and is going forward freely and happily without resistance.

ONCE she is more accustomed to being ridden, then a less forward seat can be adopted.

CONFORMATION and breed characteristics (as well of course as temperament, character, etc.) play an important part in how the young horse reacts and develops at this stage of their training. Compare the photograph above with those below.

	BY his very breeding this 3 year old Dutch Warmblood gelding is designed for a career in the dressage arena. The horse is already quite well balanced and starting to engage behind despite having been only ridden away for a couple of week. CARE must be taken at this stage not to be tempted to do too much too soon thereby putting undue stresses and strains on an immature body.
THIS recently backed 4 year old Appaloosa X mare, "Ella" has the potential to lead a more varied lifestyle. She has incredible natural agility and power and by her breeding has a tendency to "draw herself in" in front but at this stage of her training she must be encouraged to go forward in a more open outline. THE mare also has a very sharp mind so consquently her future training will need to provide lots of interest and variety to prevent boredom setting in which of course can lead to misbehaviour (albeit through no fault of the mare).
	"ADAM", a 4 year old, is destinated for a career in Eventing. ALTHOUGH he has a lot of making up to do the basic structure is already there - a good length of leg, short coupled (so handy for the fences with more than one element), strong quarters and a lovely shoulder. YOUNG as he is, this horse is a super ride with a lovely easy movement

THE photographs give a very clear illustration as to the importance of working with and training each horse according to its individuality; training programmes and methods must be flexible.

Flatwork – 'builds muscle and improves balance'

RIDDEN flatwork is very important for all horses whatever their purpose be it for hacking, driving, dressage, etc. Attention to the rider, suppleness of the body and free, forward movement is the aim. We obviously do a considerably amount of flatwork but as we are mindful that some horses can switch off, we use varied routines and incorporate all sorts of exercises to maintain interest as well as aid learning.

EVERY horse can have its way of going improved by the correct execution of flatwork. Unfortunatley there are many people who think that they are working their horses effectively and efficiently. All too often though we see horses that are set in a fixed outline in front with nothing going on behind the saddle.

THE gelding pictured below really did not have any "way of going" pior to his arrival. He was incredibly spooky and lacked so much confiidence that it was a case of taking him right back to basics - ground work first, followed by ridden work. He took a strong contact but set himself against the hand with his head up; he used his powerful neck against the rider which enabled him to dive around without the rider really having any say in the matter. He also hung on to the left rein and did not work from behind..

SUPPLING exercises have been the order of the day to turn this horse's attention back on to the rider (rather than it be on all the things he could spook at) as well as getting him to let go of the left rein.

WHILST he is a little behind the vertical here the gelding is listening and working well.

AS he learns to accept the driving leg, he will open up more in front rather than use the aid as an excuse to speed up or evade altogether.

A HORSE cannot be expected to come out of its stable and "drop" into the perfect outline straightaway.

TIME must be allowed for musclesto warm and loosen and the horse given a chance to relax before he is asked to start work proper.

THIS little horse is moving forward nicely and taking a good contact. The picture is a perfectly acceptable one for what is being achieved - loosening up prior to stretching exercises before work proper commences.

THIS horse, whilst seemingly presenting a nice picture needs to soften and be more open through the neck; he also needs better engagement behind - he is not stepping under enough.

WITH more work and as the horse learns to move off the leg these things will correct themselves, as provided he is not restricted, the front will go up and out.

AS an ex-racehorse the horse must also be taught that "off the leg" does not mean go faster!

THE warmblood gelding featured here presents a much more pleasing picture; although in trot (whereas the horse above is in canter), comparisons can be made.

THIS horse is much looser throughout his body and softer in his outline.

REMEMBER horses develop at different rates so allow for this most important factor.

PRODUCING the riding horse is a gradual process. You cannot back a horse one week and expect him to be skipping across the school in half pass the next!

BUILDING suppleness, attaining flexion, establishing straightness and achieving collection are effectively a journey, a most wonderful one, albeit challenging at times!

TRAINING horses is a journey - there is always room for improvement but not for complacency!

THIS gelding is already supple, good to the leg and active behind. However he sometimes is not always straight. By subtle shoulder-fore exercises Fred is keeping the horse's body straight.

Fred with Oscar

HORSES should be equally attentive and remember their manners when working in open spaces.

THIS not only makes riding them a more pleasurable experience but is important as regards safety.

RIDING is potentially dangerous but we can minimise the risks by having horses that are as well behaved and obedient particularly if you wish to ride out on the roads.

OF COURSE training work outside the school is much more interesting for a horse and helps keep him with a fresh outlook.

JUST because a horse is older does not preclude it from being able to undergo further, corrective or remedial training. Usually they have just lost their way a bit and so have become rather stiff and rigid in their outlines. Of course it is just as important to ensure that saddlery is correctly fitted and the horse is appropriately bitted as it is with the young horse.

THE mare, "Beth" pictured below had lost her agility and suppleness; she was rigid and tense, literally setting herself against the bit which, at the time of her arrival with us, was a Pelham. She did not seem to understand the aids and how to react to them; consequently she lacked so much confidence in herself and and her rider which was, understandably, affecting her jumping ability.

THE first thing to do was remove the Pelham, and use a saddle that fitted correctly. After a thorough check over by our chiropractor, we commenced work.

WITH long reining work, re-bitting, and suppling exercises, but most of all with gentle re-direction, the mare has quickly come to and, as can be seen here with Fred, is once again a lovely horse to ride.

OF COURSE flatwork can be kept very simple and basic, but by introducing leg yielding and lateral work, schooling not only becomes more interesting and challenging for both horse and rider but also develops a more supple horse, teaches him to be more responsive and obedient to a wider range of directional cues (aids) and also sets in motion the ultimate aim of all ridden flatwork – achieving collection. See "Dressage" below.

FOR horses that are primarily jumping horses, as opposed to those that are directed towards dressage, then their schooling work must be adapted accordingly. For example, it is important that a horse can maintain its impulsion whilst turning the tightest of turns in a jump off.

HERE Fred is demonstrating in canter working towards those tight turns - just look how the mare is really using her inside hindleg

THE two pictures below were taken approximately 3 months apart and illustrate the changes that occur in a horse's physical development when correct training is carried out. Generally this development could have been achieved a little quicker but the slower pace is perfectly acceptable in this case as the little horse has spent so many years on the racecourse. Also he cannot cope mentally with school work every day; he needs plenty of variety to maintain his interest - and co-operation!

Polework

WE do not restrict polework to ground training work only; it is as equally important for the ridden horse except the horse benefits physically even more because he is executing the exercises carrying the added weight of his rider.

POLEWORK can be executed in 'stretch' or collection; by laying poles in different ground patterns we can achieve a varying range of results. We also work horses over elevated poles when they are suitably advanced enough to cope with the additional physical and mental effort such exercise exerts.

THE gelding on the left is just warming up over the poles; he has a nicely loose outline and is paying attention but is not really working whereas the gelding on the right, suitably warmed up, is using himself well - a super outline with clear hock engagement and suppleness through the back. Keep an eye on the website as there is an interesting story behind the bay gelding which will be added shortly..

THE natural progression from polework is an introduction to jumping which is covered in the next section.

Dressage

WORKING and training a horse beyond negotiating basic movements to the higher levels of engagement and collection is a patient task but worth every minute of the tremendous amount of time it takes. Whilst a horse may well, for example, be able to execute shoulder-in and simple changes, it is the quality of the movements which is so important alongside suppleness, softness and elasticity; as time passes the simple movements just get better as the horse progresses to travers, half passes, tempi changes, pirouettes, etc.

DRESSAGE is accessible to everyone but if you want to be a "serious" dressage competitor then regardless of your training and riding abilities you will really need to be under the regular and watchful eye of a trainer.

EVERYONE needs someone on the ground to ensure accuracy

ROWENA and "Light the Fuse" (Bombie), an ex-racehorse, now train with Paul Hayler as we are confident Bombie will attain Medium level despite having to overcome the effects of his racing injuries. However on a daily basis it is Fred who monitors progress of both horse and rider keeping them up to scratch!

DRESSAGE competitions cover all levels and abilities so don't be put off if half passes and pirouettes are beyond your capability; you can still go out there and have a lot of fun- there are tests where you do not even have to canter!

THERE are plenty of clinics and demonstrations taking place around the country as well as Regional Training days, etc.

PLEASE read more about dressage competitions within the COMPETING section.

AND also visit the British Dressage website.

In Conclusion

HOPEFULLY we have managed to stress the importance of giving the young horse the right start in life. Its early ridden work and how it is effected will remains with a horse throughout its life. Just as people do not ever forget how to ride a bike, likewise a horse does not forget how to be ridden - and nor does it forget what it went through to get to the stage in its life!

Footnote

A CAREFUL study of all the photographs on this page will reveal that not one horse featured has anything but a simple cavesson noseband. Bits and nosebands should be kept as simple and soft as possible.

THE RIDDEN HORSE

WHATEVER YOUR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION