♘امیرحسین♞
♘ مدیریت انجمن اسب ایران ♞
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I took a break from riding… for 13 years and started again in a riding school (a very good one incidentally) several months ago - flatwork and jumping. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]At the same time, I discovered this site and it's great advice, to my great benefit. So now more than before, I have a tendency to "reflect" on the subject and to analyze my progression as honestly as possible. I try to put in practice the philosophy of Dressage you explain so clearly, and I get encouraging results.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] But I stumble on one main problem, the one about lesson horses: how can I keep light aids efficient when riding very different horses? How can I progress when I always end up riding a different horse? In short, if I want to access the higher levels, does it not depend on me buying my own horse? [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thanks in advance for your input on this basic but fundamental question. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]Classic dilemma![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Even in a good riding school, it is hard to find well trained horses with a good level of dressage and regularly maintained to their level by a competent rider. Very often, these horses become less sensitive and have relatively little finesse… which allows them to put up with a lot![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Are these horses still good teachers?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] With a horse who leans strongly on the bit or who pulls on the reins, a horse on the shoulders, a stiff horse or one in the wrong bend, or a horse who ignores leg cues, the student rider will be tempted to use strength, to work himself up to get a reaction… the bad habits are created, sometimes for life! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]Of course, all the school horses are not always this difficult, but to really progress, it is necessary to ride refined, sensitive and reactive horses. These horses must be trained, worked correctly and with lightness.
Of course, it is required that the riding instructor possesses real competence.
Very few riding schools offer these kind of horses, for diverse reasons: lack of time, competence, profit…[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] To work with your own horse is ideal… to progress with your own horse is a fascinating adventure and a source of great happiness… [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]But difficulties arise here! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]The horse will have to possess the qualities described above, or at least have qualities that will permit progression toward higher levels.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Then the question about the rider/horse owner's level and experience comes up. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]If the rider lacks experience, he/she must chose an already trained horse, one trained following the classic principles of the Art of Dressage, a horse he will have to learn to listen, to respect and work correctly under the supervision of a experienced instructor, a true horsemen.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] If the rider is well-experienced, tactful, thoughtful, serious and devoted, he/she will be able to train the horse himself (herself), advised every now and then by a good instructor or during good level clinics. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]To become a true "horseman" ("horsewoman"), to access to the higher levels of Dressage demands real qualities, a lot of time and work, and also a lot of different horses! Therefore, it is essential to be able to have a privileged relation with your own horse.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] However, every time it is possible, seek to progress on other horses… school horses or private horses… lifeless ones, nervous ones, delicate ones, strong ones… nature is rich! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]High level Dressage, above all, is the Art to ride any horse and to enhance their best qualities.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]At the same time, I discovered this site and it's great advice, to my great benefit. So now more than before, I have a tendency to "reflect" on the subject and to analyze my progression as honestly as possible. I try to put in practice the philosophy of Dressage you explain so clearly, and I get encouraging results.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] But I stumble on one main problem, the one about lesson horses: how can I keep light aids efficient when riding very different horses? How can I progress when I always end up riding a different horse? In short, if I want to access the higher levels, does it not depend on me buying my own horse? [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Thanks in advance for your input on this basic but fundamental question. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]Classic dilemma![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Even in a good riding school, it is hard to find well trained horses with a good level of dressage and regularly maintained to their level by a competent rider. Very often, these horses become less sensitive and have relatively little finesse… which allows them to put up with a lot![/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Are these horses still good teachers?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] With a horse who leans strongly on the bit or who pulls on the reins, a horse on the shoulders, a stiff horse or one in the wrong bend, or a horse who ignores leg cues, the student rider will be tempted to use strength, to work himself up to get a reaction… the bad habits are created, sometimes for life! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]Of course, all the school horses are not always this difficult, but to really progress, it is necessary to ride refined, sensitive and reactive horses. These horses must be trained, worked correctly and with lightness.
Of course, it is required that the riding instructor possesses real competence.
Very few riding schools offer these kind of horses, for diverse reasons: lack of time, competence, profit…[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] To work with your own horse is ideal… to progress with your own horse is a fascinating adventure and a source of great happiness… [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]But difficulties arise here! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]The horse will have to possess the qualities described above, or at least have qualities that will permit progression toward higher levels.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] Then the question about the rider/horse owner's level and experience comes up. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]If the rider lacks experience, he/she must chose an already trained horse, one trained following the classic principles of the Art of Dressage, a horse he will have to learn to listen, to respect and work correctly under the supervision of a experienced instructor, a true horsemen.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] If the rider is well-experienced, tactful, thoughtful, serious and devoted, he/she will be able to train the horse himself (herself), advised every now and then by a good instructor or during good level clinics. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]To become a true "horseman" ("horsewoman"), to access to the higher levels of Dressage demands real qualities, a lot of time and work, and also a lot of different horses! Therefore, it is essential to be able to have a privileged relation with your own horse.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times] However, every time it is possible, seek to progress on other horses… school horses or private horses… lifeless ones, nervous ones, delicate ones, strong ones… nature is rich! [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times]High level Dressage, above all, is the Art to ride any horse and to enhance their best qualities.[/FONT]
