Welcome to the heart of horsemanship. Whether you’re just starting your journey or you’re a seasoned equestrian, you’ve likely sensed that great horse training is more than just a series of commands. It’s a systematic, harmonious development of the horse’s natural abilities. This system, universally recognized and revered, is known as the Scale Of Training Horses. It’s not a rigid checklist, but a dynamic blueprint that builds a horse’s physical and mental capabilities step by step, ensuring a confident, athletic, and willing partner. Understanding this progression is the key to unlocking your horse’s true potential.
At its core, the scale of training is a logical progression of six interconnected principles. Originating from the German cavalry and now the foundation of modern dressage and ethical horsemanship worldwide, this pyramid guides trainers in developing the horse correctly. The principles are Rhythm, Suppleness (or Relaxation), Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, and Collection. Much like building a house, you need a solid foundation before putting on the roof. Similarly, in horse training, the first elements of the scale must be established before the more advanced ones can be achieved. For a deeper dive into the foundations, consider exploring the nuances of english horse training, which is built upon these very principles.
The Foundation: The First Three Scales
The initial phase of training is all about familiarization and building a correct foundation. This stage focuses on teaching the horse how to carry a rider in a balanced and relaxed manner, creating the platform upon which all future work will be built.
1. Rhythm
Rhythm is the bedrock of the entire training scale. It refers to the regularity and correctness of the horse’s footfalls in each gait—walk, trot, and canter. The tempo should be steady and consistent, with each stride covering the same distance and duration.
- Walk: A clear four-beat march (1-2-3-4).
- Trot: A two-beat pace with a moment of suspension between diagonal pairs of legs.
- Canter: A three-beat gait with a moment of suspension where all four feet are off the ground.
Without a consistent, correct rhythm, it’s impossible to achieve true relaxation and suppleness. It’s the first thing a judge looks for and the first thing a trainer must establish.
2. Suppleness (Relaxation)
Once rhythm is established, the focus shifts to suppleness, also known as relaxation. This describes the horse’s ability to be pliable and move without resistance, both longitudinally (stretching forward and down) and laterally (bending side to side). A supple horse has loose joints and toned muscles that are free from tension.
According to Dr. Eleanor Vance, a leading expert in equine biomechanics, “A supple horse is a mentally and physically receptive horse. Tension blocks the flow of energy from the hindquarters to the bit. True suppleness is the physical manifestation of the horse’s trust in the rider’s aids.”
You can test for suppleness by seeing if your horse willingly stretches forward and downward into the contact when the reins are gently eased.
3. Contact
Contact is the soft, steady, and elastic connection between the rider’s hands and the horse’s mouth via the reins. It is the result of the horse’s energy, generated in the hindquarters, flowing through a supple back and neck into the bridle. It should never be achieved by pulling back on the reins. True contact means the horse is seeking the bit, not avoiding it. Achieving this delicate connection is a major milestone and forms the bridge to the next phase of training. Many of the techniques for establishing good contact are universal, applying to various disciplines, including aspects you might find in quarter horse training.
Developing Power and Precision
With the foundational elements in place, the horse is ready to develop more power, balance, and precision. This second phase is about channeling the energy you’ve cultivated.
4. Impulsion
Impulsion is often mistaken for speed, but it’s more accurately described as controlled, forward-thinking energy generated from the hind legs. It is the thrust and power that propels the horse forward into a light, elastic contact. A horse with good impulsion feels like a coiled spring, ready to move forward or upward with minimal effort from the rider. This contained power is what gives the horse’s gaits expression and athleticism. Without the first three scales being firmly in place, asking for impulsion will only result in a horse running fast and unbalanced.
5. Straightness
Just like humans, every horse has a naturally stronger and weaker side. Straightness refers to the alignment of the horse’s body, with the hind feet tracking directly behind the front feet on both straight lines and curves. A straight horse can push off equally with both hind legs, allowing for better balance and ensuring the energy created by impulsion is channeled directly forward. Achieving straightness is crucial for developing the carrying power needed for the final stage of the scale. The ability to maintain straightness and balance is a testament to a trainer’s skill, a quality seen in masters like andrew balding horse trainer in the racing world, where efficiency of movement is paramount.
The Pinnacle: Collection
The final stage of the training scale is the culmination of all the previous elements working in perfect harmony.
6. Collection
Collection is the highest point on the scale of training horses. It occurs when the horse, in complete self-carriage, shifts more of its weight to its engaged hindquarters. The hind legs step further underneath the body, lightening the forehand and allowing the horse to move with increased mobility and expression. The horse’s frame appears shorter, but the energy and impulsion are contained, creating more powerful, expressive, and “uphill” movement. This is not achieved by pulling the horse’s head in; it is the result of a strong, supple, and straight horse carrying itself with power and grace. True collection is the ultimate goal in many disciplines, and the journey to achieve it is beautifully complex. For those interested in this advanced work, exploring questions like how do you train dressage horses can provide deeper insights.
A Non-Linear Journey
While presented as a pyramid, the progression through the scale is rarely a simple, linear path. The scales are deeply interconnected. For instance, a lack of straightness can compromise impulsion. A loss of rhythm will destroy suppleness. A rider must often revisit and refine earlier scales as they introduce more advanced concepts. Think of it less as a ladder and more as a set of dynamic principles you are constantly balancing and improving. Whether you are schooling at home or looking for something like dressage horse training near me, these principles remain the true north of quality horsemanship.
By respecting this proven system, you provide your horse with a clear, logical, and fair education. The scale of training horses is more than a dressage concept; it is a universal language of horsemanship that creates a stronger, healthier, and more brilliant equine athlete, regardless of your chosen discipline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the scale of training only for dressage horses?
No, absolutely not. While it is the basis for dressage judging, the principles apply to any discipline, from show jumping to trail riding. It is a fundamental system for correctly developing any horse’s physique and rideability.
2. How long does it take to work through the scale of training horses?
There is no set timeline. It depends on the horse’s age, temperament, conformation, and prior training. The journey through the scale is a lifelong process of refinement. The foundational levels may take months to a year to establish well, while collection can take many years to develop correctly.
3. Do you have to master one level before moving to the next?
While the levels build on each other, training is dynamic. You might introduce elements of the next level while still perfecting the previous one. For example, you work on straightness from the very beginning, even though it appears later in the scale. However, the preceding scale must be reasonably established to properly support the next.
4. What happens if I skip a step in the scale?
Skipping steps often leads to training problems and physical issues down the line. For example, asking for impulsion without first establishing rhythm and suppleness will likely result in a tense, unbalanced horse that is running on its forehand, which can lead to soundness issues.
5. Can I work on multiple scales at the same time?
Yes, and you always are. On any given ride, you are maintaining rhythm, checking for suppleness, and managing the contact. The scale represents a focus of the training, but all elements are always present and influencing one another.
