What "contact" means and how to solve common problems with Dr. Britta Schöffmann

00:00:01: Welcome to the Equestrian Connection podcast from WeHorse.

00:00:04: My name's Danielle Kroll and I'm usually your host, however this is a special episode with Dr.

00:00:10: Britta Schoffmann translated from our German podcast The WeHorst Podcast an originally aired back in July.

00:00:17: So the concept of contact

00:00:19: is something

00:00:20: that stays with many riders throughout almost their entire riding lives.

00:00:25: Unfortunately, beginners are often taught it inadequately and after all just because the horse's head is down doesn't mean there's correct contact.

00:00:34: And even once you've mastered it a different horse might present new challenges by leaning on bit curling behind vertical or hollowing its back.

00:00:44: So in this podcast episode, Dr.

00:00:46: British Shossman dispels common myths and clears up any confusion.

00:00:51: She explains what the term actually means And what correct contact feels like.

00:00:56: so if you feel that The contact between you and your horse could be softer or more steady You'll get plenty of tips That you can try out right away In our next riding session.

00:01:05: So enjoy!

00:01:09: Hi & welcome to Our Knowledge Episode today.

00:01:12: It's great that you're listening again and want to refresh or deepen your knowledge, Or get tips for your training with us in your ears.

00:01:18: Because that is exactly what our Knowledge episodes are best suited for!

00:01:22: My colleague Christian Krober Is on a well-deserved vacation today So I took the opportunity To squeeze into a knowledge episode For You specifically On The Big Topic of Contact.

00:01:32: Contact is something almost every rider encounters From time to Time during their Training And also diligently send Us questions about this topic.

00:01:40: That's why we thought we'd record an introductory episode for you.

00:01:44: We want to sharpen the understanding of contact, clear up misunderstandings look at how to develop correct contact but also what kind of mistakes occur and What I should do if it doesn't work out like in The Textbook which is often the case For many us!

00:02:06: Because Britta was not only a successful Grand Prix rider herself in the past and learned from several great old masters, but also because she has been teaching hundreds of students worldwide for many years.

00:02:17: And because Britta is simply phenomenally good at explaining things.

00:02:21: You get to enjoy that.

00:02:22: now.

00:02:23: I hope you have a lot of fun with today's knowledge episode on The Topic Of Contact.

00:02:29: A warm welcome to you dear Britta.

00:02:32: It's so wonderful that you are sharing your valuable time with us today and bringing your vast wealth of knowledge, an experience on the topic of contact.

00:02:59: A huge topic, of course with many facets and aspects that we naturally cannot cover in their entirety.

00:03:08: In today's podcast episode but We hope we can give you a nice introduction to delve into the topic in more detail.

00:03:14: And perhaps you have specific contact issues That are currently occupying You and yes?

00:03:24: And as a first question, I would like to know how you explain to a riding student in simple words what contact is and also what it's not.

00:03:36: Yes well the official definition of Contact is important too convey so that one stays a bit within technical terminology.

00:03:46: And Contact according to FN guidelines means soft steady elastic connection between rider hand and horse mouth and I like to explain it too.

00:03:58: Riding students is being a bit like holding hands.

00:04:02: When you walk through dark basement, hold your hand very lightly You immediately feel safer And you can squeeze harder.

00:04:09: perhaps if startled or because want tell the other person watch out pay attention Or let go little looser.

00:04:17: But overall contact between two hands in this case horse's mouth & hand Is important for able communicate with horse thru reins.

00:04:26: We have now talked about the connection between the rider's hand and the horse' mouth.

00:04:31: Why is contact actually much more than just a connection in between the riders' hands or horses' mouths?

00:04:37: Yes, it is as I said like an ability to communicate with the horse.

00:04:42: we had various rider aids leg-aids weight-aid rain-aides The entire interplay of these individual aids.

00:04:50: when that works well It not only individual small letters but also whole words or with further training, like whole sentences.

00:04:58: So if I always ride completely without rains which is of course something people like to do, completely rain-free then i naturally cannot necessarily achieve what I might want to do with the horse gymnasticizing it building up its muscles as well as I could If I were too at this one.

00:05:16: um...I'll say This One Vocabulary Option via The Hand Via The Rain To The Mix and that's why It Is so Important.

00:05:25: And of course the dosage is also always very important.

00:05:27: You asked at the beginning, what is contact knot?

00:05:30: So contact is not something where a horse leans on you as if it were leaning against a solid wall.

00:05:36: It's ultimately the contact between the rider hand and horses mouth Because some people think that contact has to be firm.

00:05:43: No!

00:05:43: This is light contact.

00:05:47: And now if I assume, just take up the rain and have this connection.

00:05:51: A connection to a horse's mouth that doesn't mean it has correct contact by long shot.

00:05:58: Now applying these two riding What does a correct contact feel like?

00:06:03: This whole interaction on the horse.

00:06:06: It feels minimally springy really Just minimally.

00:06:09: It always depends on the gait of horses moving in.

00:06:13: And as I said, it's a bit like holding hands very gently and lightly.

00:06:17: Anyone who has ever held hands in their life they might remember or if you do every now-and then this pleasant feeling of being connected to the other person.

00:06:29: that is what contact is all about.

00:06:31: That doesn't mean right away that a horse is also on the bit through the pole.

00:06:36: Those would be next steps.

00:06:42: Never force contact or try to create it artificially.

00:06:45: and why?

00:06:46: there is always that old saying, the horse seeks the contact.

00:06:51: That too can be imagined again like holding hands.

00:06:55: you walk side by side one person carefully reaches out for their hand says could you accompany me?

00:07:01: And what I actually want with a young horse as well which first has get used to the rider And then when everything is working well, the horse isn't afraid of the bit and it feels comfortable with the bit in its mouth.

00:07:19: Then it also starts to seek this connection.

00:07:23: As a rider you should wait that long which some find difficult.

00:07:26: They always think they have to fiddle around so that the horse finally puts his head down.

00:07:33: That's not what contact is about.

00:07:36: Oh yes very good We'll go into that a bit more in a moment.

00:07:39: What I find very important now is, we clarify the terms again... You just said it!

00:07:44: Contact doesn't immediately mean going on-the-bit It does not immediately means going through the pole.

00:07:49: Maybe you can briefly go to what distinctions are there?

00:07:52: I think its often all lumped together.

00:07:55: It all flows onto one another A

00:07:57: bit?!

00:07:58: I cannot honestly ride a horse thru the pole if i don´t have good contact.

00:08:01: So whenever u think of it, contact is like holding hands.

00:08:05: That would be this light, softly elastic and steady connection.

00:08:09: And that doesn't just suddenly fly off the horse's ears.

00:08:12: For example with a slack rein A horse cannot find contact.

00:08:16: It also becomes hard rain because The bit keeps jumping in mouth Which is uncomfortable for the horse.

00:08:23: An extremely tightened rein Is of course just as uncomfortable Because it will pull lower jaw backward In sensitive mouths To clench its teeth to try and protect itself.

00:08:33: So the contact itself is first and foremost this soft connection.

00:08:38: A horse then on-the-bit, I would say at an E level dressage or a level dressages standard The classic way that it lowers its little head so the line of the forehead approaches the vertical... ...The horse doesn't go up against his hand, doesn't roll away but he's in the bit like that And then I usually have, if all that works well a pretty good connection.

00:09:00: A pretty good contact and the horse then arches its neck at touch.

00:09:05: Truly through the pole means every aid goes back to the pole into the

00:09:10: mouth.".

00:09:12: I notice in the transitions of movements when i want transition from trot-to-halt for example Then always has little bit.

00:09:20: If everything goes well The feeling is nodding yes just tiny bit.

00:09:26: I mean wanting to move its lower jaw minimally towards the sternum, not pulling it back away.

00:09:33: So It shouldn't get tight.

00:09:34: but when we nod yes We would also nod our chin Minimally toward our sternum and this Yes That's what i want To feel When is going through The pole And that Is something later on When a horse goes into collection Into an upright frame All aids are led Through the pole and the Horse becomes Increasingly supple.

00:09:53: So I can ask for increasingly difficult things from the horse with less and less effort.

00:10:00: Yes, you've just mentioned a few connections... ...with collection also starting right from elementary dressage.

00:10:08: Perhaps you could also briefly embed the concept of contacting to training scales so we can touch on that briefly.

00:10:15: That is third point.

00:10:17: after all You already tell it's connected many other aspects but doesn't stand alone in training.

00:10:23: That is in any case for everyone who doesn't quite have the training scale in mind right now.

00:10:28: So that's a common thread of horses' training, of the gymnastic development of a horse – rhythm and suppleness contact I would say as the basic concept And then impulsion moving towards collection.

00:10:43: They interlock they mesh with each other these individual points so you can't just check off rhythm it works.

00:10:52: Now I say, now i'll check that my horse is supple it works checked off but rather It builds on each other.

00:10:58: It interlocks But roughly in this order and these first three points if you think about building a house are basically the foundation and maybe a bit of The outer walls.

00:11:09: And the other three points are then afterwards the roof and the interior design?

00:11:13: Then at the very end I have A responsive horse that lets every rider aid through without hesitation, without resisting.

00:11:24: Then when all of this works then riding looks like it's very easy.

00:11:28: That is something I can only ever tell everyone.

00:11:31: When you get the compliment...that looks EASY!

00:11:34: I think i could do that too..then you know your done something right.

00:11:37: If someone says hey that look complicated and thats really strenuous And so on....then something usually wrong.

00:11:43: I mean, of course it is strenuous.

00:11:45: Riding a strenuers but you shouldn't be able to see the effort on the rider.

00:11:49: It should just look harmonious and beautiful And when he does then its usually right too.

00:11:55: A very nice tip.

00:11:57: Everyone can pay attention for that next time they ride Or perhaps have themselves filmed again so They could see themself once more.

00:12:05: Very Nice.

00:12:07: Yes If u say you want develop correct contact You wanna go down path To a correct contact.

00:12:12: Perhaps aren´t there yet.

00:12:14: What would you say?

00:12:14: are the prerequisites for horse and rider to even be able to work towards a correct contact?

00:12:20: Well, for the horse definitely rhythm and relaxation.

00:12:24: Rhythm can... well we have different gates with corresponding rhythms.

00:12:29: so walk four-beat trot two beat canter three beats And the horse should already moving with relatively pure rhythm.

00:12:38: For that it naturally also has been balanced.

00:12:41: That's why it is often the case that with very young horses, who are still so gangly and busy themselves.

00:12:47: The rider's weight, the unfamiliarity... ...the completing of turns

00:12:51: etc.,

00:12:51: the rhythm sometimes gets disturbed.

00:12:55: They lose their footing but look a bit gangly.

00:12:58: So finding this equilibrium balance in all gates is one thing for the horse Suppleness too because suppleness is both inner- and outer-suppleness.

00:13:09: That means if a horse or even rider is extremely tense in one muscle group, they cannot achieve this soft springy contact.

00:13:17: Or also mental suppleness.

00:13:19: If the horses constantly in flight mode because I don't know something's happening outside of the arena and the indoor riding hall And the horse is afraid then rushes off Then you can't expect it to go trustingly with a soft spring-y contact.

00:13:33: instead It will try lift its head away.

00:13:36: So that is of course also foundation for the horse first.

00:13:39: And for the rider it is very important that they are also balanced, because I don't know some of you might have seen my films.

00:13:47: In one of them i demonstrate what happens when you as a rider sit in the saddle like a bowl of jelly.

00:13:53: then of course you disturb the horse's movement sequence.

00:13:57: A horse would immediately tense up on its back no longer be able to maintain contact with this soft springy quality.

00:14:05: And then you can try as hard as you want up there, You won't be able to get the horse To find a good contact.

00:14:10: Therefore A balanced and correct rider seat Which disturbs The horse As little as possible Is of course a basic prerequisite!

00:14:18: I only have a steady hand From a correct rider's seat Because you always Have to keep in mind When i have a bit In their mouth There is iron in Their mouths And horses' mouths are very sensitive.

00:14:29: If they don't have my hands Under control They're rattling Up & down and constantly moving the bit in the horse's mouth, that is of course very uncomfortable for the horse.

00:14:39: Even then it is not possible to a horse achieve contact.

00:14:43: therefore everything here again interlocks little bit.

00:14:47: In general you can never view all individual points including contact so separately.

00:14:52: I cant say i'm only looking at the contact now...I always have see the horses as whole just like how is relaxed yes or no?

00:15:00: Is distracted.

00:15:02: that a horse takes a look when there's a distraction somewhere is completely normal.

00:15:06: I mean, God gave horses eyes so they're allowed to look around.

00:15:09: sometimes then that can disturb the contact.

00:15:12: sometimes very young horses like small children are of course not even capable of concentrating for that long.

00:15:19: They too are distracted more quickly.

00:15:22: You shouldn't immediately say you're not allowed to do that and try to correct it with your hand.

00:15:27: Well goodness let them look.

00:15:28: Then just keep riding or tap.

00:15:31: tap them once with the whip a little bit, don't hit them.

00:15:34: Not as punishment for looking but just as reminder.

00:15:37: hello I'm still here.

00:15:39: most horses then focus on the touch essentially asking back what does my rider want from me and they come back into contact so hear to let the whole thing happen very gently.

00:15:52: And um As i said your seat should naturally be such that you can drive the horse and not start fiddling at the front while forgetting the hind legs of back.

00:16:04: That is also always very important!

00:16:07: Oh yes, that's... Well we've had some important aspects now but perhaps will come to this later when discussing contact faults or solutions?

00:16:16: Yes there are a lot of mistakes here.

00:16:19: Exactly.

00:16:21: Perhaps before I go over it.. I would like for our listeners if you're let's say according to the textbook it would be nice if you always work like that in practice.

00:16:31: but i'm developing contact with a young horse during training.

00:16:36: what does this process look like for everyone who has never trained a young house before.

00:16:41: How do one go about developing correct proper contacts,

00:16:46: mm-hmm that always depends on the horse and it always depends of the rider.

00:16:49: so here too I can only always refer to these old maximum.

00:16:53: um old rider on a young horse, young rider on an old horse which doesn't necessarily mean the age of birth but the-the-the age of experience.

00:17:03: The more experienced I am as a rider ,the... the more balanced i sit on the horse .The.. the more different horses I have written in my life ..the more I can naturally adjust individually to a horse.

00:17:15: if I'm still a beginner regardless then I will almost certainly make a great many mistakes on the horse.

00:17:21: Mistakes in my seat, mistakes in my aids and it would be harder to get the horse into good trusting

00:17:27: contact.".

00:17:28: And um... It doesn't help at all if i say but I love my horse so much because there's more to it than that!

00:17:35: It also requires certain amount of riding experience for them.

00:17:38: as said adjust individually to a horse Because its very different.

00:17:42: here too There are horses who quickly seek a certain contact with their hand.

00:17:48: then there are horses that are more difficult in that regard, they're extremely sensitive to the mouth.

00:17:53: They perhaps have poor anatomy and a low-set neck with a board like back where their whole exterior is just not right.

00:18:02: There's much more difficulty finding contact.

00:18:05: as I said it was very hard to give them a recipe.

00:18:10: you had to do this or that to achieve contact but rather look at your horse individually.

00:18:15: Then of course there are certain exercises and transitions always part that to make it easier for the horse find contact.

00:18:25: But also riding forward, although riding forward has nothing do with stepping on gas.

00:18:30: That Riding Forward actually refers more to hind legs than I as a rider manage get.

00:18:36: horses hind legs step through further without tempo getting faster Because the bigger the strides and jumps, and steps are in the hind legs.

00:18:47: The more the horse will want to balance itself out in front towards the hand over its neck.

00:18:52: And what a stretch towards it?

00:18:53: Wanted reach for it.

00:18:55: A very important point.

00:18:57: willingness to stretch.

00:18:59: I often hear from riders who then say yes i have now taught my horse the stretching posture.

00:19:05: That is actually completely wrong way of thinking.

00:19:07: I want to encourage a horse's willingness to stretch, not destroy that willingness to stretch.

00:19:14: Because normally a horse would quite like to stretch forward and downward with the slightly arched back And we're talking about slightly when grazing perhaps because thats'a posture feels us rolling down vertebra by vertebra We notice in our own backs too.

00:19:29: Oh!

00:19:29: That actually feel good!

00:19:31: Thats pleasant When you reach lower back.

00:19:33: oh yes it feels nice.

00:19:36: That is something a horse would normally like to do.

00:19:39: But that doesn't mean I always ride it that way because then, It will eventually fall apart on me completely.

00:19:44: but regardless of whether i am riding forward or collecting the horse... ...I want to feel if I were to let it easily let its neck drop and downward and in doing so gently stretch its top line And achieve this again by riding various exercises & movements.

00:20:03: Large curved lines often invite horses to let themselves drop or stretch a bit more towards the bit.

00:20:09: Lots of transitions, these are all such important things.

00:20:13: and then I have to feel... And this is again matter-of-experience.

00:20:16: How much does my hand need to follow?

00:20:19: People also talk about breathing hands So i don't hold my breath with it tight but just enough so that im still holding hands Not that I suddenly throw everything away and say you do it Then a horse can't find any contact either.

00:20:38: so That is definitely a matter of a certain amount of experience And Anyone who doesn't have that?

00:20:45: Experience should definitely always bring in good instructor because they can Of course see from the ground The moment when the rider needs to do something specific, and then tell the rider now.

00:20:58: Do this and do that fiddling around on your own.

00:21:00: If you can't really do it yet, I would always say that

00:21:02: backfires.".

00:21:05: Yes!

00:21:05: That's definitely a very important tip as well and also nicely with the steady hand i think is often misinterpreted.

00:21:15: people have to keep their hands still but actually move them along too right?

00:21:21: It should be steady in the sense of breathing without becoming shaky because shaky as I said that creates too much movement in the reins, and it is very uncomfortable for a horse.

00:21:34: but of course shouldn't be set in concrete either.

00:21:37: There are riders who have typical concrete hand.

00:21:41: there's not even tiny centimetre of movement left in their there really... there no breathing left in theirs either.

00:21:48: And then these riders wonder when the horse eventually gets a concrete mouth to Because its actually no longer at all this.

00:21:56: yes what is in the definition, this softly springy connection.

00:22:00: This very slightly springy one although springy doesn't mean back and forth of course but just a little bit like breathing.

00:22:09: Yes!

00:22:09: Very nicely explained.

00:22:12: yes then maybe let's move on to typical contact errors because it is as you already said there are so many different horses also types people levels right.

00:22:22: how do sit on horse?

00:22:24: What does that experience?

00:22:27: And yes, also in real life let's say unfortunately often not this constellation of experienced horse beginner rider and vice versa.

00:22:37: If I'm having problems with the contact with my horse and maybe don't really know yet what the cause is we could dive into what the common mistakes are when you're teaching which contact mistakes do encounter most often would you say your lessons?

00:22:55: Yes, that also varies a bit but I'd say a typical scenario at somewhat lower training level is leaning on the hand.

00:23:03: That the horses are looking for support in the bit.

00:23:06: so the typical thing... The horse is looking for its fifth leg So four legs standing on the ground and the other leg would basically be the rider's hand.

00:23:14: Their horse leans on it eventually saying oh yes wonderful!

00:23:18: ...the rider is carrying my head And those are often the horses who are on their forehand and look forward downwards.

00:23:25: Then, of course on the other side there is also this going against-the hand.

00:23:29: That happens when the rider holds too firmly at the wrong moment or possibly pulls backward and The horse only finds a way to defend itself by going upwards and somehow To get out of the situation.

00:23:42: And then of course There is always much too much discussed issue Of being too tight in the neck i.e behind the bit Which is offcourse yes extremely debated these days Although if you were to carefully categorize it, You would find that It is initially just one of let's say the three possible types Of contact.

00:24:03: Specifically we are looking at what Are often considered The biggest and most significant Contact errors because it can also happen That horses tend To do that.

00:24:13: but I will start with leaning on the hand first.

00:24:15: Yes exactly i think thats good

00:24:21: when they move a bit on the forehand, meaning that they aren't yet taking on weight.

00:24:25: We're not even talking about collection yet?

00:24:28: Collection would mean the horse is already capable and ridden to where it bends its hawks behind so basically doing squats And in doing so takes some of its weight off the forehand.

00:24:37: So I believe in nature a horse When just standing around stupidly or walking around the pasture has two-thirds of its weight on it's neck, shoulders and torso more forehand oriented.

00:24:51: Now you add the rider on top and naturally the whole thing sags down a bit more.

00:24:55: And the riders job is to get the horse back into balance so that at least horizontal and later through training To have do a few squats in the back So that more weight taken off the hand or the forehand In front.

00:25:10: When our horses leaning on the bit I as a rider also have to make sure that i get it off the hand, of the riders' hands.

00:25:18: And the tricky part is sometimes riders think oh...I've got hold on tight otherwise its head will drop even lower and thats exactly wrong way around.

00:25:28: Actually..i need let go faster!

00:25:30: I sometimes explain this to riding students.

00:25:33: It's like tug-of war.

00:25:35: So when two parties are playing tug of war one party is clearly stronger than other.

00:25:41: Then it's no use if both parties pull, because then the weaker one in quotation marks would lose.

00:25:47: The horse is always stronger than the rider.

00:25:49: so If the horse starts leaning on the bit and the rider pulls the horse will pull back and lean on It even more?

00:25:55: Than you've got.

00:25:56: plus or minus six hundred kilos on top of that as well.

00:25:58: I have all of that in my hands.

00:26:00: As a rider i can't hold That at all And i don't want to either.

00:26:04: thats just bodybuilding.

00:26:06: But if suddenly let go during a tug-of war The others, the strong pullers naturally lose their balance and tip over.

00:26:14: Now the horse shouldn't tip-over of course but the best solution is many half halts.

00:26:20: Many transitions are also half halTS And then release very quickly.

00:26:23: Then it might happen that the horse lifts its head or you know runs off a little bit... ...then I just have to reapply the half halt!

00:26:32: A half halt always involves letting go as well.

00:26:35: When i combine like this the horse starts to balance itself better.

00:26:39: It knows that the support will be gone in a moment.

00:26:42: I can't rely on leaning on it and then, it'll start to balance itself better when i let go.

00:26:49: That is first step of getting out this tendency To stop leaning on the reins because only lean on something where i find a firm support.

00:27:01: And if that firm support is the fist holding the reins A horse would lean.

00:27:06: If that support is suddenly gone, well I haven't seen a horse yet.

00:27:09: That just falls over like in the tug of war.

00:27:12: It will try to balance itself.

00:27:14: it will try To carry himself for a mow for a split second in that moment.

00:27:19: And that's where i want to get too that The horse balances itself In such A way that he can carry itself and doesn't need the rider's hand For that.

00:27:28: That already great tip.

00:27:29: Thank you very much.

00:27:30: Now have few follow up questions.

00:27:33: For one thing, I was just thinking...I think it would be great if we could also briefly explain the half halt again.

00:27:38: Because i happen to know that you can explain that really well and because its said so often but some of our users are here who might still at beginning or those for whom is always set in lessons then not entirely clear what actually meant by it, what entails.

00:27:55: It's Not Just Not Entirely Clear.

00:27:57: You wouldn't believe how many writers have had clinics over.

00:28:02: When I then asked, what is a half halt?

00:28:05: I really got the most adventurous Descriptions.

00:28:08: some said yes.

00:28:09: I jingle a bit with my fists.

00:28:11: others said II do something on the outside.

00:28:14: when I Then ask where it's outside and inside when you are trotting on the track Then came Yes The big question.

00:28:21: well outside Is by the rail.

00:28:23: no outside is always the opposite of Inside.

00:28:25: an inside is Where the horse is bent And when i'm riding straight I don't have an outside, at least not the walk and at the trot.

00:28:33: Though on the canter i do because that's where my horse is slightly bent.

00:28:38: Then some said yes!

00:28:39: I need to squeeze a sponge.

00:28:40: so it's amazing how difficult this is for people.

00:28:44: imagine a half halt.

00:28:46: Actually A Half Halt Is.

00:28:47: I Drive A Little More In The Fraction Of Next Second But Really A Fraction.

00:28:52: I Catch What I'm Driving Again With My Hand.

00:28:55: So Drive Catch And I Have To Let Go.

00:29:01: It's actually easiest if you imagine your riding a transition between gates.

00:29:05: So transitioning from trot to walk, most people can manage that somehow That is already half-hulled.

00:29:11: Also from cantor to trot... ...that is already a half-hold.

00:29:14: And when you are riding within the gate and want to get a horse more engaged than behind using a half hold I do this same thing.

00:29:22: Then i explain it to riders.

00:29:24: Imagine you're pretending you want to transition down into lower gate so you drive catch, but at the last moment you say oh no I'll keep riding after all.

00:29:33: Then you have given a half halt within the gate and when the riders have done that two or three times then usually an aha-moment happens.

00:29:41: .Then there is this driving catching releasing ,and if necessary doing it all over again from the beginning.

00:29:46: It always depends on what i intend to ride.

00:29:49: um At some point its ingrained And then theres no more fiddling No more fussing and no more squeezing but rather a sequence of aids that the horse can actually execute afterwards because the driving activates behind leg a bit.

00:30:03: The checking tells the horse whether it should go more forward or upward, Because if there is less space in front If I check more strongly the horse has to move uphill and the releasing lets let's the movement through again so that i don't block it in front Yes!

00:30:20: And if necessary A half-hold follows immediately.

00:30:23: So drive Check Release

00:30:26: Great.

00:30:27: Thank you very much.

00:30:28: Yes, I think that's a very important point especially with the driving.

00:30:31: Also when you said downward transition?

00:30:34: I was thinking it's always important to say into the Into the lower gate yes basically drive-into It

00:30:40: Drive into it right into it When you want to start the The Lower Gate because many people first they use the reins To break so that would be rain aid as a brake.

00:30:50: Then maybe they release or may not and if there is a hesitation then the driving comes.

00:30:56: A horse can't process that at all anymore.

00:30:58: That is too late then, you should always have the feeling not that I am ending one gate but rather starting the next one.

00:31:06: and even if i'm riding a half-hold within an A gate don't say... ...I am breaking now and then driving!

00:31:13: But rather I am driving into a transition.

00:31:15: oh no I'm NOT going to ride THAT ONE afterall.

00:31:19: Then get better with timing.

00:31:23: Yes, exactly.

00:31:23: And that is just so important when the horse is leaning on the bit with a tug-of-war example right?

00:31:28: If I try to let go of steering in front but don't actually drive car then it gets pretty difficult to manage Right!

00:31:35: It's not quite the same

00:31:37: if i just let go without half halt Then the horse get longer and longer and can't manage either.

00:31:43: So here too its always about driving into hand staying here quickly letting going what also good and riders sometimes struggle.

00:31:51: this is just to release the contact.

00:31:54: If I notice that my hand is a bit too slow, i think perhaps unconsciously.

00:31:58: if let go now something might go wrong.

00:32:01: Yes!

00:32:01: That can happen but it's not big deal.

00:32:04: Um...if don't Let Go everything will definitely go Wrong because then horse will lean on It and Then im carrying six hundred kilos in My Hand.

00:32:12: Thats Not Pleasant for either the rider or The Horse.

00:32:15: But..If I Let Go um...the horse has balance itself And then reach forward.

00:32:19: once Reaching forward invites the horse to carry itself.

00:32:23: Um, it could also be that I reach forward and the horse then falls apart or breaks free but that doesn't matter!

00:32:30: Then i do many transitions...many half-holds..and then I reach for again because for me its not just an invitation of a horse carrying himself It's also check from as a rider is actually carrying herself now?

00:32:42: That is very important.

00:32:43: so at this moment I consciously give up contact with my hand and try to maintain the contact so-to speak with the seat, with the rider's seat.

00:32:53: When a horse is well trained when a horse has already very nicely trained in collection The connection of the hand becomes lighter and lighter And then I can give the reins at any time anywhere In any movement.

00:33:06: My horses are then in contact With the riders' seats.

00:33:10: So that is something i really have to work for over the years.

00:33:17: That's not something you can just quickly do.

00:33:19: Aha!

00:33:19: We'll do a bit of contact now and then it will work, that won't

00:33:22: work.".

00:33:24: Yes one hundred percent?

00:33:26: Uh...that fits quite well.

00:33:27: I was about to ask if You give a lot A LOT of lessons And also have very successful students all over the world.

00:33:34: Do you have?

00:33:34: Does this story come to mind?

00:33:36: Have you ever had case where horse was perhaps heavy on forehand?

00:33:40: Where maybe corrected it over years?

00:33:43: How went about that?

00:33:44: Just mentioned few exercises.

00:33:47: Maybe I don't know if you have an example for that.

00:33:50: Well, If we...if We have to correct leaning on the bit over years then something would be going wrong?

00:33:57: well because You just said right it's not done in one session.

00:34:01: No thats clear.

00:34:02: It really is quite a journey For the rider sometimes takes many years To truly learn how solve these complex issues.

00:34:09: Its about understanding The very specific individual problems That arise along way

00:34:13: Exactly

00:34:14: of the individual horses.

00:34:17: As an instructor I naturally have to be able see relatively quickly where the biggest problem is with this, that and other horse.

00:34:25: So i have a horse he's very soft in his movements... ...i like compare him to good camembert.

00:34:34: if it gets too warm it flows in all directions.

00:34:40: Because of that, he moves quite well and you can easily move him into lateral movements.

00:34:44: That suits him.

00:34:45: but he also flows apart forwards and backwards.

00:34:48: And because of that He leaned extremely heavily on the rider's hand at the beginning... ...and it wasn't exactly easy for the rider to sit in a way.. ..that he didn't pull her out-of-the-saddle!

00:34:58: The more he pulled her forward , the more she lost the effectiveness of his seat.

00:35:02: Therefore the more difficult it became.

00:35:05: And this is, for example a typical horse that you shouldn't really try to push towards the stretching frame.

00:35:11: But because he's so hyper-mobile and wants to fall apart we tried to close him up relatively quickly during work using half halts... ...so that the frame became short relatively quickly.

00:35:22: So not holding it back in front wouldn't have worked.

00:35:25: but transitions transitions transitions ad nauseam.

00:35:28: keep trying make his hind leg quicker.

00:35:31: In the meantime he is going very nicely.

00:35:33: In the meantime, he is doing flying changes starting with tempi-changes.

00:35:38: On good days He even does three or four Tempi Changes and can already be brought back in The Cantor almost to the point of a cantor pirouette.

00:35:46: That would not have been possible A year and a half ago.

00:35:50: But there... I'll put it this way If the horse isn't built completely wrong.

00:35:58: There are horses that Have very long neck Very short front legs and are extremely built high in the crook, then to at least minimize this problem you would basically always have to ride against a horse's anatomy.

00:36:11: But fortunately most horses aren't build like that.

00:36:15: so such people used to say that flawed horses actually becoming rarer these days but still horses very different in terms of their problems.

00:36:25: And if I had one which tends more lean on beforehand how can i get an individual Again, very individually.

00:36:34: To engage more from behind take on more weight and get off the forehand?

00:36:39: There are also horses that just a bit stiffer in their top line.

00:36:42: They have a straight neck A straight top-line of the neck.

00:36:46: Arching is harder for them And because it's harder they try to find support there too.

00:36:54: Ultimately its always about transitions and gymnastic exercises.

00:36:57: That makes good dressage work is the gymnastics that I do with a horse.

00:37:03: And it's exactly like humans!

00:37:06: Depending on one person, they are stiff in their back and another has stiff thighs... The next one is stiff all over.

00:37:13: so naturally you have to adapt these gymnastic exercises accordingly.

00:37:18: Also some horses need more trot hold work backwards.

00:37:24: With others I write more trott-canter transitions.

00:37:28: With some I do more lateral work sideways movements.

00:37:32: So that is also again completely individual.

00:37:35: the goal Is always the same?

00:37:37: i want The horse to come off the hand and take More weight on the hindquarters And overall move uphill.

00:37:43: That, isn't necessarily collection yet but up hill.

00:37:45: if i'm sitting On a horse and have the feeling that i'm riding downhill at an angle the whole time then something is wrong.

00:37:52: Okay Then let's perhaps Move onto the next contact error you mentioned against the bit.

00:37:58: Yes, that often happens with horses that have been ridden down with a heavy hand.

00:38:02: There there are riders who always have the feeling that their head has to be down and they get on the horse and start right away.

00:38:10: They haven't even written a lap with a loose rain nothing at all Nothing relaxed!

00:38:14: They take up the reins And starts soaring At the horse's mouth.

00:38:19: Sometimes these Are also horses That perhaps in The past or actually still, are ridden with drawrains.

00:38:25: Are pulled down whose entire musculature is cramped and who then simply try to free themselves by going upwards.

00:38:33: Then sometimes it's horses where the rider Is too clumsy With their hands Who then also tried To free themselves to escape The riders iron fist.

00:38:43: Sometimes It just small moments Where this happens?

00:38:46: Where the rider perhaps waited Too long to give And a horse is A bit sensitive in his mouth.

00:38:53: That would be for example a typical hollowing out during the transition, right?

00:38:57: Yes.

00:38:57: During the transition there are also horses that when you ask them to counter from a walk first try and throw their head up as if they want use their neck to gain momentum.

00:39:08: um...that can suddenly become certain habit of horses who feel like I cant' counter any other way.

00:39:14: it's just like riders sometimes believe in using upper body to gain momentum They're helping the horse.

00:39:20: Yet when I use my upper body to gain momentum, i actually fall forward for a moment while doing so and that is just like with backing up.

00:39:27: Actually a breaking aid.

00:39:29: So if I want to canter And I fall forward with my upper-body My head says...I WANT TO CANTER!

00:39:35: MY BODY TELLS THE HORSE ON STAY HERE!

00:39:37: And I wonder why it doesn't work?

00:39:40: Um..and It's the same with some horses.

00:39:42: at some point they got into The habit of using their head or neck To gain momentum upwards so that this first canter stride or the first two are also uncomfortable for them in their back?

00:39:54: Because if we constantly throw our head-back into our neck, We will eventually feel it in our neck and back.

00:40:01: In that case you would try without fiddling but still manage to get a rider pay attention to these little things perhaps setting the horse a touch rounder For such lesson.

00:40:12: Now of course people will scream again For heaven's sake You're not allowed do that.

00:40:17: Yes!

00:40:17: You were allowed too So that in case the neck comes up a tad just a tiny bit too high The horse is actually in the right position.

00:40:26: The moment it strikes off into canter to be able To make that first cantor stride over its back and usually once the horses have done That a few times they realize,that's Right!The rider is Actually correct And then It goes away again.

00:40:39: I had-I Had A halflinger that had that Too.

00:40:42: He has a somewhat short chubby Neck And the shorter a neck is, The more difficult it is for horse to arch its neck as well.

00:40:50: If I have very short wire It's harder for me to bend into slight curve than if i had long wire Although the long wire of course has problem that can also be curved too much in all directions.

00:41:04: But he also had bit of thick neck and gotten into habit over years of always tossing his head up when starting to cantor.

00:41:13: otherwise he was nice on the bit and also quite good through the pole.

00:41:17: And for a while in that first moment of the canter I told the rider, even if it goes against your instincts try to set him a bit deeper feel free to ride out of a circle where you horse might almost be making himself a bit too tight... ...and then at this point ask for the canterm and drive him forward nicely into his hand again as usual!

00:41:37: That took about half year because all habits whether for the rider or the horse take time to disappear.

00:41:43: And at some point we both realize she doesn't even have to pay attention to it anymore.

00:41:48: He, in the meantime She can ask him for the canter from The Trot From The Walk.

00:41:53: he is always nicely through the pole.

00:41:55: You can really tell that this first canter stride Is no longer uncomfortable For Him!

00:42:00: He goes into the canta with joy and those are also little against-the hand issues Although as I said sometimes It's also anatomy dependent but often it's that the horse is against a rider's hand,

00:42:14: i.e.,

00:42:14: too heavy.

00:42:16: or when riders who have no experience think they need to put a curb bit on a horse.

00:42:22: I am... well..I come from classical riding where the curb-bit part of it because its actually controlling verification how finally a horse is trained and how fine a rider s'hand is.

00:42:36: And if thats not the case then off course.

00:42:38: If the rider pulls onto the curb at the wrong moment It's more than uncomfortable for the horse.

00:42:43: Uncomfortable and it will resisted, then it is purely a rider error although I would say that leaning on hand becoming too tight compared to going against the hand almost most common mistakes at least among people who are training themselves in dressage with pure beginner horses also go against their hands but they go agains seat.

00:43:10: That's why I'm not at all an enemy of auxiliary rains here, although for pure beginners.

00:43:15: I always find side rains quite pleasant.

00:43:18: now many can cry out again Oh no!

00:43:20: Not that.

00:43:21: But i believe a steady connection... ...that is then between the mouth and-and The side rain where the side rain is hooked in so in the girth.. ..the horse Then At least has A steady Connection And as long As a rider's hand Is flying All over the place it would be unfair to the Horse To tell the Rider your hand can, until you are balanced the horse has to endure that.

00:43:43: That's just not fair!

00:43:44: That is also reason why at Spanish Riding School students used learn how sit for endless years on lunch line with side rains without holding the reins in their hands.

00:43:56: so they learned to sit.

00:43:57: such a way could make any movement independently of their hands and no longer disturb horses' mouths.

00:44:08: You don't get that, of course in a normal riding stable where you learn to ride.

00:44:11: There nobody has the time and no riding student would want to spend years riding on the lunge line without holding the reins.

00:44:18: At some point you wanna make little bit progress And thats why I think for example correctly adjusted side rain not one who pulls his head onto its chest but allows it find contact is certainly much more horse friendly than jerking rider's hand.

00:44:38: But as I said, this going against the hand is generally less common.

00:44:43: The third point that's becoming too tight... That it of course a huge topic and i have to say A topic has taken on life its own And leads to such discussions nowadays.

00:44:56: It sometimes just makes you shake your head.

00:44:59: In equestrian theory coming behind the bit Has always been unknown floor or lack contact Can arise from training error.

00:45:10: It can of course also arise from the horse itself.

00:45:13: There are horses, even young horses that find it difficult to step up to the rider's hand To establish this connection with a rider's hands.

00:45:22: And there is certainly more young horses today than in past Because in the past Horses didn't have they weren't as high blooded They did not had such light pole.

00:45:34: They were often working horses that had been pulling a plow during the week and on The weekend, the farmer would take them to a competition And ride them in dressage and show jumping.

00:45:43: I'd say getting those little necks down a bit was certainly not entirely easy.

00:45:49: Today of course with let's say dressage bred warmbloods you have horses That have very long legs relatively short backs somewhat long necks Very elegant.

00:46:00: everything is wonderful but at the end such are neck.

00:46:03: There is also a head-hanging which weighs, I don't know, thirty or forty kilos.

00:46:09: A horse has to manage that over the course of its training if it potentially has muscular deficits to use the neck on relatively long lever in such way as can carry his head and happen when he becomes too tight And everyone screams today Oh God!

00:46:31: It's behind the vertical That animal cruelty.

00:46:35: And I have to say, you always look at the overall picture of a horse and its situation.

00:46:42: So if i start intentionally causing necks that are too tight as a doctrine or training basis so they can produce spectacular movements then it is completely wrong.

00:46:54: Then I get creeps.

00:46:56: Sometimes unfortunately in high level sports There are often horses there that if you look closely, almost the entire test on or slightly behind the vertical.

00:47:08: If you looked closely even in the highest collection with a slightly sagging back I always call them The bathtub Horses because they... Because in front That gives them incredible shoulder freedom.

00:47:18: Um..because the horses just start to paddle upwards They don't go forward to their hand after all.

00:47:25: And because of that A bad posture gets into whole horse's body which is not good, and to be rejected.

00:47:32: Which if I do it systematically is also contrary the horse's well-being.

00:47:37: But If i ride a horse that tends too tight then im not doing this on purpose.

00:47:43: Then Im just have to be clear That This Is The Point I Need To Work On To Get The Horse To Be Muscularly Capable Of Handling This Longer Lever Which I Like To Compare It With A Construction Crane.

00:47:55: When It Extends Its Arm All The Way Out It naturally has to be so stable on the ground that it doesn't tip over forward.

00:48:02: And then there also needs a weight hanging at the back end of that construction crane.

00:48:07: A horse first must manage this optimal neck position, posture and top line.

00:48:14: As I said in the way.

00:48:15: here is always possible that the horse might get attached too tight.

00:48:20: That can happen!

00:48:21: That's not immediately animal cruelty.

00:48:24: It becomes animal cruelty when it become principle or method then in my opinion it is to be rejected.

00:48:31: But if a horse gets too tight sometimes, well...it happens!

00:48:35: As I said as a rider i must always know..I am trying to correct that and I have to say It's sometimes harder to get horses that tend to work in way That they have stable good contact with the nose tending to be infront of vertical than one which is more difficult To put its neck bluntly to bend through a lot of gymnastics, to manage that.

00:48:59: So an overly loose contact is sometimes harder to correct than one that's too firm?

00:49:06: Yes we also get a lot questions about it.

00:49:08: maybe you could still give some tips on how your approach this or if I notice my horse often comes too tight and somehow too light.

00:49:17: i don't really have the con connection.

00:49:20: This question also comes up often, how do I manage to get my horse to pull towards the hand?

00:49:25: To develop more pull toward the hand.

00:49:27: Right How do i Get out of this too tight situation?

00:49:30: it's a master question.

00:49:31: but

00:49:32: yes that is as i said That Is really A difficult problem.

00:49:36: so first Of all i naturally always have to look.

00:49:39: i Have to check that with everything.

00:49:40: But especially there Does The saddle fit?

00:49:45: If a Horse doesn't dare to because the Saddle Doesn't Fit in the Back is pressing in somewhere to slightly arch its neck, slightly arch it's back to reach for the hand.

00:49:55: If the movement from the hindquarters cannot travel forward over the swinging back It will become somewhat hesitant.

00:50:01: and horses that are hesitant also tend to become too tight.

00:50:05: So all of equipment must be right.

00:50:07: The saddle must fit The horse-the bit must fit.

00:50:11: Nothing should pinch nothing should squeeze.

00:50:14: The noseband shouldn't be too loose, not to tight just lightly touching.

00:50:17: so again in the range of like holding hands a little bit.

00:50:21: All that has to work.

00:50:23: and then I have look is this an anatomical question?

00:50:26: Do i Have A horse That Is very light In the pole.

00:50:29: Then there are exercises.

00:50:31: Very often you can use or should Use trot cantor transitions because Trot To Cantor Transitions in particular bring a Horse more towards the Bit.

00:50:39: when Cantering The horse always engages its abdominal muscles, and in doing so quite automatically just through the movement.

00:50:46: If I am cantering at a nice working tempo it also repeatedly lifts its back minimally which leads to a somewhat more stable top line.

00:50:55: And the back doesn't end behind the rider or under-the-rider... ...The trapezius muscle.

00:51:00: that's the one that lies over the withers.

00:51:03: It extends a bit into the lower saddle area.. ..and goes forward into neck area!

00:51:09: I'm training there as well.

00:51:11: and it is also responsible, among other things for the horse becoming stronger at the base of the neck in order to be able to carry the neck or head.

00:51:20: And when I ride many transitions again and again trot counter transitions then i am training this jumping into hand The whole principle thrust before carrying power.

00:51:31: Sometimes horses that are so light if they move a modern way who knows how throw their legs?

00:51:37: people think can already collect them but the horse is actually not physically capable of it yet.

00:51:42: The problem with them becoming too tight, is getting worse and worse.

00:51:46: Riders are taking the reins shorter to have a connection.

00:51:50: If you look at this profile, horses are short in front long behind or sagging.

00:51:55: Of course I don't want any of that.

00:51:58: So i really need make sure work on the horse in such way It improves at base of neck And dont let myself be tempted.

00:52:07: I always have to imagine that i want a relatively flat neck, so not round and deep but flat.

00:52:18: Also not necessarily stretching downwards towards the ground because you don't wanna go there either!

00:52:23: Because I want horse to learn or gain strength to carry its head which really weighs thirty-forty kilos And works best from a relatively Flat Neck position.

00:52:34: But as said this is problem should be underestimated.

00:52:38: that requires a lot of experience from the rider, um...that requires a lots patience.

00:52:44: It takes time and it's something I'll probably always have to work on which also depends a bit on an individual horse.

00:52:52: There are some horses who just seem to click away form you making them very difficult to loosen up.

00:52:59: On other hand there is others with only slight tendency towards behavior.

00:53:04: so this is really huge problem.

00:53:06: so I can only ever tell everyone, i'd rather have a horse that when I start working it maybe its a bit tighter in the hand because through gymnastic training ,I get the whole musculature to give way and become softer compared to a horse which is actually weak on top line be it in the loin or entire topline.

00:53:26: Be it in pole area Because thats easily there.

00:53:30: That's quite difficult over time.

00:53:34: It should always be the primary goal of the rider to get the horse's nose forward and constantly encourage that forward thrust, which is so essential for proper movement.

00:53:44: It really takes a lot of patience and consistent practice to get it right.

00:53:47: So The more a horse oversteps behind in the trot for example And develops thrusts ,the more will eventually say To manage this behind I need space infront Then starts moving towards hand.

00:54:00: That is why you should always prioritize thrust before developing carrying capacity.

00:54:06: In the canter, as well in the trot and also pay attention to it on a walk.

00:54:10: but keep working on the Trot & Canter.

00:54:13: As long as horses are in the Trott when you ride a few lengthened strides still rush off like a pony.

00:54:20: You know that the Thrust isn't yet sufficient To achieve correct contact And then beware of immediately saying Well goodness!

00:54:28: But I can collect him well That is then not true collection?

00:54:32: Yes, that's also a very important point.

00:54:34: to be honest with yourself and rather go back to the basics again.

00:54:37: Right

00:54:38: yes so The foundation Is really that.

00:54:40: well rhythm relaxation contact is So important and to serve this time Also includes the development or improvement of impulsion because it's like building A house and at some point saying why do I need a Foundation?

00:54:53: It holds up for awhile but eventually the whole thing tips over And the foundation is really what's important.

00:54:59: and it's better to keep going back To The Foundation when there are problems, and think hmm It's getting stuck here right now.

00:55:05: What could be the reason?

00:55:06: What can I improve?

00:55:08: What Can i change ?

00:55:09: And if it takes a bit of time Well...I mean honestly Getting A Horse that Is Really Leaning Heavily On The Forehand To Finally Come Off The Bit Properly Is Not An Overnight Fixed ,It Is Truly A Matter Of Several Weeks Or Even Several Months Of Consistent Patient Work.

00:55:24: Getting a horse that is extremely light in the mouth and tends to curl away from contact, can sometimes take two or three full years of training.

00:55:32: This is simply because this is exactly how long it takes for young horses to mature enough both physically and mentally even be able do that correctly.

00:55:43: Can you say something very briefly about the rain aids?

00:55:48: Because I get asked often too Right.

00:55:51: we said you have to develop the impulsion.

00:55:53: You want to get the neck flat and long again?

00:55:57: If my horse curls up now, what do I do with my hands?

00:55:59: right many people also ask themselves Do i let the reins go loose then because it's supposed to stretch towards The Reins but i still Want To Get The Connection Somehow.

00:56:07: i Have to develop that somehow too so That he write that He really pulls himself Towards The Hand.

00:56:12: So What Did The Hands do?

00:56:14: Well, the hands would follow.

00:56:15: if I get the horse to take such big steps or jumps behind that it then.

00:56:20: Then i'll say The horse should tell you and need more space for that now And then one hand follows Which means?

00:56:26: It allows the neck to stretch forward a little bit.

00:56:28: If I suddenly throw it away thinking yay He's taking the contact and I'll throw the rain away so That the rain goes slack than the horse can't find their hand.

00:56:37: its supposed To seek the contact an as a horse I Can only find something that is actually there.

00:56:42: So if I then think, I have to be especially light and throw everything away.

00:56:47: The horse cannot find any contact.

00:56:49: of course i also shouldn't If the horse at some point says... ...I need more room in the neck for this now And asks that question.. ..I shouldn't just leave my hand nailed-in place and say you're not getting it Because then the horse will start to move behind the bit again.

00:57:06: That too is a matter experience or feeling.

00:57:10: Again having the feeling of holding hands.

00:57:13: The moment I feel that the little hand.

00:57:15: I have here wants to push against my hand Just a tiny bit then, I go with it just a tiny Bit like exhaling say yes That's exactly what i wanted from you.

00:57:28: Here too It sometimes quite good To ride With the rain stretching out Of the hand every now and Then.

00:57:33: um?

00:57:33: I always incorporate that into training sessions because it naturally gives the rider Feedback again.

00:57:39: Is my horse capable?

00:57:41: is it ready to let its neck drop flat from the withers?

00:57:44: um and some riders get a fright when the horse might not be ready, lifts his head or becomes too tight.

00:57:51: They then think they have to regulate a lot of their hands immediately.

00:57:55: I always say don't let them help you The horses should.

00:57:58: that's why it's called stretching the reins out of your hand after all Because for me as a rider It's feedback.

00:58:05: How was going on with the horse balance?

00:58:08: How is it going with the willingness to stretch?

00:58:10: We are back at this point.

00:58:12: Would it like to let itself drop slightly forward, With a flat neck?

00:58:16: if It doesn't do that I just have To keep working A bit more Keep doing More gymnastic exercises.

00:58:22: Does it Do That?

00:58:24: And then i take up The reins again.

00:58:25: i drive it Back in so that it wants to go Forward.

00:58:37: They tend to either fall out, they like do that in the canter because suddenly think wow where am I?

00:58:43: And boom!

00:58:44: So know this could happen.

00:58:46: Drive them forward until horse has found its balance and invite it as a balancing pole.

00:58:53: That is also so important.

00:58:55: A horse makes itself too tight no longer balances with his neck.

00:59:01: It's actually constantly in state of balance deficit.

00:59:05: It never quite has clear balance when it rolls itself away.

00:59:09: And I can't give the horse balance after all, and that's why you should let it chew the reins out of your hands every now-and then regardless whether their head goes up or down.

00:59:21: someone like us if they were balancing on a tightrope with a balancing pole wouldn't just walk across perfectly steady arms but would first wildly wobble the pole back and forth until we were eventually balanced enough to get across with a calm, steady posture of the balancing pole.

00:59:37: And eventually we are so well-balanced that we can let go off the balancing pull... ...and it's the same with a horse!

00:59:43: A young horse or a horse with contact issues?

00:59:46: One that is too loose in the contact will start wobbling its neck when I ride it in a stretching on long

00:59:51: rainframe?!

00:59:52: But that doesn't matter.

00:59:54: Then It Is Encouraged Use Your Body And many horses really learn at some point to realize this connection.

01:00:01: Oh, if I make my neck a bit longer everything feels much better!

01:00:05: It's also about body awareness for a horse and Body Awareness can be developed by the rider For themselves just as it Can Be Developed By The Horse For itself.

01:00:16: That'S why IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

01:00:18: AND As i said If i'm riding A horse & it gets too tight for a moment Don't panic right away.

01:00:24: Always look At the horse as whole always ask myself the question Maybe I should be asking for a bigger stride or a bigger step from the hind leg now.

01:00:33: If i have a horse that makes itself totally stiff and rigid in the neck, then perhaps I'll intentionally make it tighter at this point!

01:00:44: We are talking about something which lasts not minutes but only twenty minutes of being rolled up and low, deep or whatever.

01:00:53: that's all called in modern terms today.

01:00:56: But it is a bit more like stretching your own muscle for the moment than this isn't the end of the world but doesn't free you from always orienting yourself towards training scale which has the goal to have balanced horse with its nose at highest point of collection slightly infront of vertical.

01:01:15: only then is it balanced.

01:01:17: And people say we used hear these all time too that a horse can only step where its nose is pointing.

01:01:25: And if the nose is pointed backwards, the horses also stepped backward.

01:01:30: If you look at some trot extensions today Where the horses throw their shoulders way up Their legs weigh up and they are tight in the neck... ...if we look closely then front feet go backwards and land behind them.

01:01:43: So don't land when tip of toe was pointing.

01:01:46: That's always good measure to see.

01:01:50: Is this horse honestly ridden onto bit?

01:01:52: or is it just spectacularly yanked upwards?

01:01:55: And yes.

01:01:58: Also explained really well, thank you.

01:01:59: Yes also with the balancing pole a very nice image.

01:02:04: Yes Britta we have already talked for quite a long time about contact.

01:02:08: We are slowly coming to an end.

01:02:12: Perhaps in conclusion Just briefly back To The Basics.

01:02:16: as we said somehow correct Contact always starts at base Is part of foundation.

01:02:23: What would you say if someone is perhaps not quite that far along in their training yet, or notices they still have contact issues?

01:02:30: The horse sometimes comes above the bit.

01:02:32: Or as I said leans on the hand gets too tight and they want to work on that.

01:02:36: Um what are three most important tips You Would Give Him or Her If They Are Now Starting To Want To Tackle These Problems?

01:02:44: Do you Have Three Things That Come To Mind Spontaneously That Might Be Good For Everyone On That Path?

01:02:52: Well, I would say always with every horse.

01:02:53: Always and regularly check the equipment.

01:02:57: a A horse cannot move in a relaxed way So our horse can not move in rhythm.

01:03:02: a horse cannot find a clean contact if If the equipment doesn't fit?

01:03:06: I mean I see riders incredibly often who are sitting on saddles.

01:03:10: sometimes The saddles were even there before that are behind the center of gravity Where the rider is really sitting behind the horses Center of Gravity On its back.

01:03:20: And then they wonder why the horses hollow their backs and lift their heads.

01:03:25: It's quite clear when they arched their backs, Then the struggle already begins.

01:03:29: so equipment is absolutely important.

01:03:33: We're not even talking about health.

01:03:35: we take that as a given but The Equipment.

01:03:37: it's astonishing how often it doesn't fit whether its the saddle or bridle.

01:03:42: I must also say this whole discussion noseband yes-or no and flash strap Yes Or No and bit?

01:03:50: Here, too.

01:03:51: For me it always depends on what is the best solution for the respective horse.

01:03:55: with What does the horse feel most comfortable?

01:03:59: And that can be very different from horse to horse.

01:04:01: so equipment must Be right must fit the horse.

01:04:05: Then there is of course The second point.

01:04:07: Always critically question your own seat and Your own influence.

01:04:11: Feel free To film yourself sometimes because Sometimes you don't even notice That You aren't sitting in balance.

01:04:16: some riders, I have riders.

01:04:18: Hey you're falling forward they don't notice it.

01:04:21: and when i then say sit down try to lean back a little bit and get the feeling that you are sitting far behind the vertical and then they find it incredibly

01:04:29: difficult.".

01:04:30: And...and when they really think now I'm lying on the horse then they have just barely reached the vertical mm-hmm and you don't noticed that as a rider anymore.

01:04:38: but when you see it?

01:04:40: You can film yourself.

01:04:42: That's no problem at all nowadays with these mobile phones and then take a look.

01:04:45: that always helpful.

01:04:47: And of course, yes engaging with writing theory be it through literature or the films you have here in order to know which lessons are suitable for what.

01:04:58: so this is the transitions.

01:05:01: um, riding in position and bend because that naturally means riding onto the outside aids again.

01:05:07: Because you can't do anything in riding You can't say I'm just going to do this one point And work on that.

01:05:11: Do always have to see The big picture?

01:05:13: And also See the horse as a whole!

01:05:16: And every horse is Just different... ...and i can only ever Say the theory of writing-the old theory Of riding was written down at some Point.

01:05:24: Back then.

01:05:25: horses weren't As elegant.

01:05:27: they were A bit heavier but it was primarily written for Baroque to semi-warm blood horses.

01:05:33: They didn't include fjord horses in that, they didn't included halflingers in there... I don't know what else?

01:05:40: In that!

01:05:40: But this doesn't mean apply these breeds too.

01:05:44: and of course the emphasis is different from some things.

01:05:50: Let's say a normal fjorde horse or average fjords to swing the way i can get an average warmblood And a connection with, I don't know... A freesian for example is also harder to establish so that the freesion is stable in the top line because of course The breeding goal was different at some point With these high set necks.

01:06:11: Nevertheless That doesn't mean that the principles Of riding themselves shouldn't actually be the basis For everyone.

01:06:17: So use all gymnastic exercises transitions, half-halts, voltage circles lateral movements tempo variations everything to continuously promote and achieve these individual points of the training scale.

01:06:32: It's just a matter of how long I need for something when i say i have that stable now?i Have A Stable Connection Now.

01:06:39: That Is Then Of Course Dependent On The Horses Conformation Its Temperament.

01:06:43: So I Can't Say I'll Ride A Horse Into A Great Connection And That Will Take Six Weeks.

01:06:49: That Won'T Work.

01:06:50: Then, as I mentioned if i have a freetion with an incredibly high set neck and want to try to encourage it adopt a somewhat flatter neck carriage so that the hindquarters can truly engage underneath.

01:07:01: The knees remain stable?

01:07:02: Well... That is process might take two years of consistent work!

01:07:06: Yes

01:07:07: And its something always accompanies me because I cant change our horses anatomy.. I naturally apply this very individually for every horse.

01:07:15: but common thread is training scale.

01:07:18: That is classical dressage theory and I can only keep recommending that to all riders.

01:07:24: And there's no shortcut, it just isn't... No one has invented riding light yet!

01:07:29: A good closing statement i think.

01:07:32: Thank you very much Britta also for these last tips once again Yes everyone can take something away from that.

01:07:40: yes, riding is complex as u say, no-one has invented lighting yet.

01:07:47: perhaps it's also motivating to say yes i can sometimes take two years until something like that gets better but maybe then also to see the small steps right and that is always worth looking at the basics again, the timing a bit better on that one half halt, or for that one hour.

01:08:03: The nose was a bit further forward and I already had a slight contact with.

01:08:06: the bits are something like that.

01:08:08: so yes i wish you can enjoy small successes to try out exercises that Brita has given here and celebrate success as well.

01:08:23: Yes dear Brita!

01:08:24: One must also say check out Britta's courses at wehorse.com.

01:08:28: I can really only recommend it.

01:08:31: For example, how Horses Learn Rider aids on which you mentioned earlier Brita where You also show what happens when you apply AIDS unfavorably but of course Also How to do It correctly and many other courses the riding terms Flection Bend all All The Courses we have with With you Also somehow influence the contact.

01:08:51: so i Can Really Only Recommended Yes Brita Thank you very much for all your knowledge And Your Experience.

01:08:58: I hope i was able to give one or two people an idea and also make it clear that is really difficult.

01:09:07: But thats the beauty of riding because if there's a silly saying, If riding were easy then no-one would play soccer anymore.

01:09:14: It certainly quite difficult but this exactly what great challenge all about To truly grow together with your horse over time.

01:09:22: so at some point everything you do together just looks incredibly easily effortless.

01:09:50: Thank you for listening to this episode of the Equestrian Connection podcast by WeHorse.

01:09:55: If you enjoyed this episode, it would mean the world to us if you could leave a rating and review as well share on social media.

01:10:03: You can find us on Instagram at WeHorse underscore USA And check out our free seven-day trial On wehorse dot com where access over one hundred seventy five courses with top trainers from around The World in variety of topics and disciplines.

01:10:19: Until next time.

01:10:20: be kind to yourself your horses.