BREATHE LIFE INTO TRAINING

HARMONY IN COMMUNICATION, By Jenny Rolfe

OBSERVING THE HORSE

Harmony is borne from many hours spent observing, listening and responding thus providing an environment, where both confidence and trust may flourish. You sometimes hear riders complaining about their horse, who has become difficult and unco-operative. This may be manifested in objectionable, resistant and sometimes potentially dangerous behaviour.

The horse may respond in a disruptive way, as a result of being placed in a stressful situation, where he feels anxious and insecure. Humans and animals respond to stress in many different ways. When our horse is subject to our modern day expectations, this can causes anxiety for him. If he is exposed to much pressure, which is unnatural for him, then he may react in a negative manner. It is our responsibility to ensure that when the horse is reprimanded, we have not abused his trust or generosity. If we mis read the signals he is trying to give us, whilst looking for security and leadership, this will make him even more wary and distrustful. The horse looks to a herd environment for his security and we need to be aware of his natural fear and flight instinct which will be instigated if he has only fear and anxiety within his surroundings.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LOOSE WORK IN TRAINING

It can be helpful for the trainer to observe the horse working at liberty. It is an opportunity to assess his ability, energy and individual nature and also the way in which he naturally uses himself. We may observe him lacking energy in his gaits with insufficient propulsion from the hind limbs. Insufficient activity will cause the head and neck carriage to become elevated, but when we ask for more energy within the gait, the horse with produce true self-carriage, elevation and fluidity within his movement. This will result in a natural (not artifical) lowering of the head and neck carriage. This 'frame' should not be forced in ridden work, but encouraged, by instigating forward, fluid energy, from a calm and trusting horse.

This is also an opportunity for the trainer to establish his leadership, thus taking this relationship through to the ridden work. Harmony can be encouraged if we offer the horse an opportunity to warm up either through loose work, lungeing and working in hand. The first few minutes of our ridden work should allow time for the horse to stretch his muscles, loosen up and also tune into a positive attitude for work.

Jenny's highly acclaimed book 'Ride From The Heart' is now bought to life by her NEW training DVD. This features her four Iberian Stallions who demonstrate together with Jenny