Scale of Training of the Horse notes

BLUE GATE FARM

Collection 

Degree of collection according to training level of horse

Neck and topline arches with the degree of collection

  More manouverable, lighter feeling on the riens

Hindquarters lower (Carries weight on hindquarters)

 Steps are shorter but higher because of impulsion, upward mobility 

    

Impulsion 

The desire to go forwards

Develops power and strength.  Moves slowly with power

Movement appears effortless

Power of the horse.

Back muscles ripple, hindquarters lower 

Riding overbent prevents the horse from having impulsion

Moves forward willingly     In front of the leg

Straightness 

Hindlegs follow the front legs 

Equal on both sides      Ears level         Rider sits straight 

 Must be straight to collect.              Evenly developed on both sides

Contact 

Acceptance of the bit.  

Slight chewing of the bit, with (some) foam 

Horse should be able to stretch down, keeping nose in front of vertical on long rein.  

Reins, legs, set are part of contact.  

Supports the horse. Gives confidence   

“On the bit”

Rhythm 

Regular paces  Horse must be loose to have rhythm.   

Tempo is speed of the rhythm is  

4 beat walk 2 beat trot 3 beat canter

Suppleness 

Loose, relaxed and through      Trusts rider

Horse works through his back (Durchlassigkeit) 

Swinging tail indicates relaxed mentally and physically   

Longitdudinal Lateral

Scale of Training of the Horse

Quality of work changes with the training of the horse.  

Determined by the horse as every horse is different. 

Signs a Horse is working correctly

Two top muscles on the neck are seen to flex.  

Crest flops as turns, changes the rein. 

Muscles join withers without a dip and are wider at withers than at the poll.

Muscle under the neck is small, and loose.

Poll is relaxed.  Ears moving, not pricked or kept back.

Nose is in front of vertical (how much depends on the strength of the horse).  

Quietly mouthing the bit, with some foam

Neck is long and low with an upward arch

Belly muscles toned and lifting the back up.  Loins lifted.  

Hindquarters are round.  Big thighs.

Tail swinging gently.

Hind legs move forward, underneath the horse.  Legs evenly muscled.

 Works up hill

Unbalanced horse will thunder and kick up dust.

All horses should have these qualities.

A right handed rider will be stronger on the right side of their body.  Their horse’s hindquarters will move away from their right leg.

Look to where you are going the same as the horse is looking:  Do not turn your head.

Rider leaning to the inside will cause the horse to turn his head out on turns (bending lines)

Sacral lumbar joint is the point of croup