In this insightful exploration, we delve into “Dressage Dissected,” the third installment of Gillian Higgins’ Horses Inside Out Autumn Webinar series. This lecture demonstration, featuring dressage rider Lili Brooksby-Dalby and her PSG dressage horse Hans, offers invaluable lessons for equestrians of all levels. While the initial filming involved detailed work with a painted horse for anatomical demonstrations, the live presentation allows for a fresh perspective, even for those involved behind the scenes. This content is now available for purchase in the Horses Inside Out Academy.
The Universality of Dressage Principles
While the focus is on dressage, the principles discussed are fundamental to all equestrian disciplines. Flatwork, the foundation of dressage, is crucial for the basic training of every horse. Whether you’re a seasoned dressage competitor or simply enjoy leisure riding, the Scales of Training, as explained by Gillian Higgins, offer a framework applicable to any horse and rider combination. The author, an Equine Therapist with personal experience owning and training horses, emphasizes that these scales are not exclusive to dressage and can be adapted to suit various training goals and levels.
Deconstructing the Scales of Training
Gillian Higgins’ demonstration breaks down each scale with practical examples, tips, and visual aids. These scales serve as a diagnostic tool, helping riders assess their horse’s balance, suppleness, and overall well-being, and adapt their training accordingly.
1. Rhythm
Establishing a consistent rhythm is the cornerstone of relaxation and focus for both horse and rider. Counting strides aloud can aid concentration. Developing a familiar warm-up routine can also help horses relax and perform better in the often-stressful competition environment.
2. Suppleness
Suppleness refers to the horse’s ability to flex laterally. Gillian Higgins highlights that this is primarily achieved through the movement of the rib cage, rather than significant flexion in the back vertebrae. Creating the impression of even bending from poll to tail is key, and the demo effectively illustrates how the rib cage opens on the outside of a circle and closes on the inside.
3. Contact
Consistent contact with the reins is vital for maintaining the horse’s forward impulsion and correct posture. The demo emphasizes that inconsistent contact often leads to a lack of forward movement and poor postural alignment.
4. Impulsion
Impulsion is the driving energy from the horse’s hindquarters, leading to greater expression and engagement. A particularly insightful point made is the matching level of protraction between the Radius bone of the forelimb and the Cannon bone of the hind limb during the trot. This alignment is a key indicator of good posture and correct movement, a standard sometimes overlooked in modern sport horse training. Understanding this can significantly improve a horse’s way of going and long-term health. For more on equine biomechanics and training, explore resources on horse training center albina.
5. Straightness
Achieving straightness in a horse requires both rider and equine fitness. A balanced and symmetrical rider is essential, as the rider’s own posture directly influences the horse. For the horse, suppleness and lateral work, such as shoulder-in, half-pass, and counter-canter, are crucial for developing the ability to be straight. The challenge lies in maintaining rhythm, suppleness, contact, and impulsion while simultaneously working on straightness.
6. Collection
Collection is often misunderstood as only referring to advanced movements like pirouettes or piaffe. However, for a young horse, collection can involve simple exercises like half-halts or walk-trot transitions. The demo illustrates advanced collection with a working canter pirouette, explaining the complex muscular recruitment, including the Psoas muscles, increased flexion of the lumbo-sacral junction, lift at the base of the neck, and the “U” shape of the gullet. This concept, applied even to simple exercises like walking over a raised pole, contributes significantly to a horse’s posture, health, and longevity as a riding partner. Understanding these biomechanical principles is crucial for promoting healthy, happy horses with strong bodies. For those interested in specialized training facilities, consider options like harness horse training centers florida.
Conclusion: Enhancing Horse Health and Longevity
The “Dressage Dissected” lecture demonstration, available through the Horses Inside Out Academy, provides a comprehensive understanding of the Scales of Training. By applying these principles, riders can improve their horse’s posture, biomechanics, and overall well-being, ultimately contributing to their horse’s health and longevity. Whether you are seeking to refine your dressage technique or simply aim for a healthier, more harmonious partnership with your horse, this resource offers invaluable insights. Consider exploring other equestrian training options, such as those found at a show horse training center.
WATCH THE LECTURE DEMONSTRATION HERE
