One way is to look at the quality of their gaits. Good work does not impair rhythm, cadence, and elasticity. Correct training makes a horse’s walk swingier, his trot strides longer, his canter rounder. Correct training makes our horses’ movement easier to sit and more beautiful to look at.
How does this work? One proven method is the combination of stretching, balancing, and strength training also known as dressage. Developing the horse’s topline muscles makes it easier for them to carry us around. On a mental and emotional level, dressage promotes good communication and mutual trust. A stronger, happier horse moves with confidence: forward but never frantic. Relaxed, but also full of energy.
This does not mean we press our horses into a specific frame 100 percent of the time. Even a correct outline, on a correctly developed horse, with uphill balance and the horse’s nose never dropping behind the vertical, becomes tiring when we ask the horse to maintain it for too long. If we get greedy with trot extensions or collected work, our horse’s gaits will become tense and robotic, rather than joyful and elastic. A working frame means different things, depending on each horse’s conformation, stage of training, physical development, fitness level, and mental state. Good work includes frequent breaks, and lots of stretching. If the horse’s gaits lose rhythm, cadence, or expression, we’ve strayed from the good path. If we feel his back swing, if we feel happy energy, even exuberance, we’ve accomplished a lot.
Comments