1) Work in an arena, be quite serious about setting up a program of
patterns, including large serpentines, spirals in and out, 3-4 10 meter
circles down each long side & one 20 meter at the ends of the arena.
Include several halts (hopefully square), several partial halts, and many
changes of gait from walk-to-trot-to canter-to-walk. Point: this supples
the horse, keeps him interested and guessing!
2) Make sure you are working from the inside leg to the outside hand.
Set your seat deep, in a driving position so you don't have to constantly
use the leg to encourage a more "forward" attitude (you'll get forward
when the horse is more attentive as to what is coming next). To deepen
the seat, stretch each leg as far from the saddle as possible (90 degrees
to the horse's side) and as much as is comfortable. Take your left hand
and pull down on the pommel as if driving your seat into the saddle.
Stretch again. Take a long, deep breathe each time you stretch and exhale
slooowly. If you have a friend--do this on the longe line so you can
concentrate on YOU.
3) Use a crop (and spurs also but ONLY if you know how to use them
correctly!!!!!!!). As you work your patterns, liven him up at the
trot-canter transitions. Make your walk transitions very short--count
maybe three strides--then go on to another trot set. In the walk,
remember deep seat, inside-leg-to-outside-hand (& keep those reins even
and NOT loose), breathe deeply and slowly and concentrate on the rhythm
of the walk. When you "feel" the rhythm (and can identify when the
inside hind is hitting the ground), relax your inner thigh, sink deep
in the seat, ungrip your knees and allow your entire leg to gently sway
to the rhythm of the walk. You will feel when the outside hind comes
forward, the barrel swings out-let your leg follow. As it swings/sways
in, let the outside leg (the entire length of leg including those
relaxed inner thighs) exert just a smidgeon of pressure as your inside
leg starts its swing out. Here's the picture--you are encouraging a more
forward movement with the inside hind, not by "banging" on the horse's
sides with "alternate" leg aids, but with a simple rhythmic movement,
completely in sync with the horse's walk. The reason you do this for
only 3 strides is that it's HARD WORK! It will take several sessions
just for you to get the "feel"--once you catch on you'll have one of
those "Eureka" events. And suddenly it will all be very easy--I
promise! That's why working on the longe at first is a good way to
start. Use the crop to encourage (tickle) along with the outside leg aid if
you feel that the horse is not getting the point--but be sure YOU know
what the point is!!
4) Hands--you will need to maintain contact and a modicum of collection
but beware of false collection. Long & low is best because it will
encourage a free-swinging back. Any tightness will really ruin the
walk. Tickle the mouth by gentling squeezing and releasing the outside
rein. Think of feeling the mouth from the elbows, tighten and release
the muscles around the elbow--you will find this will translate into just
enough pressure to encourage the horse to come down and round. And of
course, don't restrict the horse's forward motion by
tightening your neck or back muscles--you need to be equally relaxed
throughout your upper body. The sides are a pendulum, your legs/entire body
are just giving a wee bit more oomph to the swing-in portion of the arc.
Close your eyes and visualize the movement.
5) Trail--you may continue the exercises on trail but again don't hammer
at the poor horse. And reward with lots of "good boy", pats, really make
a fuss when he starts to move out. So many folks (kids especially)
simply don't tell the horse what a good job they just did! It needs to
be done right when a few good strides happen--not back at the barn with a
carrot. And that's what you are aiming for--a few good strides. A good
walk requires freeing up the shoulder & back, relaxation and consistent
aids. It's the price we pay for not having a horse with a naturally
forward walk. Give the horse the tools he needs to do the job...and he'll
come through beyond all your expectations.
Hope some of this is helpful--I haven't really tried to write out what I
teach my students (mostly adults, some Pony Clubbers) so it's a really
good learning experience for me to organize in this way. Please feel
free to ask questions, debate theory, whatever.... But better yet, find
yourself a good dressage instructor...someone good with adult students
who likes to get everyone working "correctly", not just to some nth level
for a show.
Cheers...better days are coming...we see the sand in the ring just below
the ice layer!
Diane @ Safe Haven
safehavn@fast.net