The German Training Scale (GTS) is a systematic approach to evaluating and prioritizing a horse’s way of going, serving as a crucial guide for structuring daily training programs. It progresses through distinct phases, starting with Familiarization, emphasizing rhythm and relaxation, and moving towards the Development of Propulsion, which introduces connection and impulsion, and finally, the Development of Carrying Power, focusing on straightness and collection. Establishing a strong foundation in rhythm, relaxation, and connection makes the subsequent introduction of impulsion, straightness, and collection significantly more manageable. This article delves into the fundamental application of the six stages of the GTS, highlighting the foundational elements essential for effective horse training.
The Familiarization Phase: Rhythm and Relaxation
The initial stage, Rhythm and Relaxation, encompasses suppleness and elasticity. Rhythm is defined by the consistent footfalls of each gait, with tempo, the activity of the hindlegs, and the over track of the footfall all contributing. A regular rhythm allows the horse to settle, leading to increased relaxation. However, if the tempo is too rapid for the horse to maintain balance, relaxation will be compromised. Conversely, a tempo that is too slow can result in a lack of activity, thus failing to meet the requirements of rhythm. When balance is lost, the horse will become tense. Therefore, activity must be maintained alongside relaxation, with the horse remaining responsive to the leg aids without losing its relaxed state. This equilibrium is achieved through precise timing of the rider’s aids, applying pressure to elicit a desired behavior and then releasing it as a reward, encouraging learning and relaxation. As the horse becomes accustomed to moving forward from the leg and yielding to the hand, it progresses to the next phase, establishing connection.
Development of Propulsion: Connection and Impulsion
Building upon the bedrock of rhythm and relaxation, the Development of Propulsion phase introduces connection and impulsion. This phase begins with relaxation and connection. Relaxation in a working horse can be observed both laterally and longitudinally. A fundamental exercise for lateral relaxation is incorporating a bend, which encourages the opposite side of the horse to stretch, akin to stretching a tight muscle in humans. This bend also deepens the connection. When a rider applies pressure with the inside rein, a corresponding aid from the inside leg at the girth is necessary to maintain the quality of rhythm. As rein pressure is eased in reward for bending, the leg aid becomes more effective in maintaining the bend and assisting forward movement. Simultaneously, the outside leg and rein are used to guide the horse along the intended line of travel.
Connection can be simply understood as the integration of the driving aids of the leg and seat with the guiding aids of the hand, back, and seat. When lateral relaxation is achieved in both directions, it often leads to longitudinal relaxation, characterized by the lowering of the head and neck and a lifting of the back, which signifies the onset of collection. Further exercises to clarify connection are introduced during the development of power or impulsion. These include simple gait transitions, both upward and downward, as well as variations within a gait, such as lengthening and shortening the trot or canter stride.
During these transitions, the rider must remain attentive to the horse’s straightness, as it may become crooked or shorten its stride on the weaker side of its body. The more consistently the horse can maintain impulsion, the straighter it will become during upward and downward transitions. Furthermore, by increasing the range of bend and lateral suppleness, the horse becomes more supple and straighter due to an even distribution of carrying power.
Developing Carrying Power: Impulsion, Straightness, and Collection
As a horse gains strength and power, its straightness should also improve. As these stages of the GTS advance, the horse will be capable of lifting its shoulders and withers higher for progressively longer durations, gradually developing the ability to collect. Collection can be described as the horse’s capacity to shorten its stride, increasing the weight carried by the hindlegs while simultaneously enhancing the hindleg’s engagement, leading to greater elevation and lightness in the forehand.
The Phase of Developing Carrying Power incorporates two stages from the Propulsive Phase, while also drawing upon the relaxation established in the Familiarization Phase. The overarching principle is that all six stages are interconnected, with the rhythm remaining paramount.
A recommended warm-up routine to implement the GTS typically takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the horse and rider’s level, and is applicable for both flatwork and jumping.
- Walk: Begin by walking on a long rein in both directions, incorporating 10-meter half-circles. Assess the regularity of the walk – is it lateral or pacing? While a slightly lateral walk initially is not critical, observe if it becomes more regular after trotting and cantering. The half-circles help evaluate lateral suppleness. Note if the horse quickens when the reins are picked up; if so, focus on slowing it down with the reins. Does the horse lengthen its stride or quicken from the leg in the initial walk?
- Trot: Trot in both directions, including a 20-meter circle and then two three-loop serpentines in each direction in a smaller arena, or two to four four-loop serpentines in a larger area. Evaluate the trot: is it short, long, quick, or slow? Is the horse tracking up? Does it move forward from the leg without breaking to a canter? Does it slow down from the hand and seat? Does it fall inward on the serpentines? Can it bend freely from one direction to the other on the serpentine? Assess if a simple trot-walk-trot transition can be performed on the centerline of the serpentine from both directions. Determine if more time should be spent on trot work before proceeding to canter.
- Canter: Canter in each direction. Initially, on a large circle, then around the arena, perhaps with a circle at the opposite end. Observe if the horse lengthens or quickens its trot to achieve the canter; if so, shorten the trot before transitioning. The horse should “lift” into the canter, not run or lengthen into it. Does the horse fall in or out on the circle after the transition? Use diagonal aids of leg and hand to counteract this. For less experienced riders, practice down transitions on the circle. For more experienced pairs, incorporate down transitions or simple changes through the trot on a diagonal. Advanced horse and rider combinations can include serpentines with simple changes through the trot and even the walk.
- Cool Down: Walk, relax the horse, and evaluate the next steps for the day’s training.
The USEA Eventing Coaches Program (ECP) plays a vital role in educating riders and horses for safe and knowledgeable participation in eventing. Established in 2002, the ECP (formerly ICP) aims to provide coaches at all levels with essential training principles to build upon throughout their careers. Through educational workshops and assessments, coaches can achieve ECP certification. Further details regarding the ECP’s objectives, advantages, workshops, and assessments, along with a directory of certified coaches, are available on the USEA website. You can learn more about the USEA Eventing Coaches Program here. Learn more about the USEA Eventing Coaches Program.
