What’s the Hurry?

Time and Patience

I grouped these together because

"If you have time, you have no excuse not to have patience,
and if you don't have time then you shouldn't be training horses!"

Of all rider attributes, patience would have to be one of, if not the, most important. Everything takes time, not just during each training session but throughout the horse's life.

It takes time for both horses and riders to develop. Horses should always be prepared before being started under saddle. They need to be taught how we can communicate with them on the ground in a manner that can easily be transferred and continued under saddle. All different training systems have ways of doing this to make it easier on the horse and certainly safer for the rider. As this is being done the horse is also developing the strength and suppleness to prepare him/her for the rider. Some schools of training spend a lot more time doing this preparatory stage than others. Personally I think it is essential and not only for the young horses but also for any horses returning under saddle after time off. I do ground work, in-hand lateral work, poles/cavalletti and hill-work, stretches and free-jumping. I also continue many of these activities throughout my horses' ridden careers to keep them happy, interested and to cross-train for musculoskeletal injury protection.

You may be surprised to see I included riders in the comment of taking time to develop! It is true. I see this a lot with young riders when they have sudden growth spurts. They can take a while to really be able to control their body as they did before this happened. Also riders starting to ride after a break often find it much easier if they do some preparatory work on their own bodies such as gym work, pilates or one of the many online rider programs that are available. I also notice that when riders do these programs they become more confident in their riding, not just from a point of staying on but also for being able to ride with a lighter contact, less gripping and also better flexibility. Fortunately nowadays many riders have realised this and do dedicate time to cross train themselves.

During each training session it is important that time is taken to warmup correctly. This is so the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints of the horse are prepared for the work to come. The rider can take this time to assess the horses mental status and slowly shift him/her into a great mind frame for the session, as well as to loosen up themselves. Some days horses may be fresh, other days sluggish and riders should be flexible and inventive to deal with different situations. Sometimes there may be a better exercise to do than what was initially planned for the workout. In-hand work is also extremely beneficial to include in the warm-up phase and can give some insight into what may need to be the focus for the work session.

If introducing a new movement riders should allow enough time, not only to explain it to the horse but also to do repetitions so the horse finishes clearly understanding what the lesson was about. I train for reactions rather than specific dressage movements and see each "movement" as a result of my horse's reactions. For example, I wouldn't go out and think "today I am going to teach my horse travers". It would just happen that I could do it, as previously the horse would have learnt how to move his shoulders, quarters, understood flexion, bend, moving away from leg pressure and be hooked into my seat and weight aids. Likewise with piaffe or changes. They just happen and the horse offers them as they are just a result and combination of many little reactions that the horse truly understands. Many of these little reactions can and should be taught in isolation when the horses are young as they do not necessarily require any collection and are not taxing on the horses' bodies until put together. Keep the reactions sharp and your horse fresh by not overdoing them. If you ask for something and your horse says yes then don't ask again. Just move on to something else or challenge your horse by going out in the bush or to a different arena and asking the same question there.

Time also needs to be spent on the cool down which is an area I feel many riders are guilty of neglecting. It is important not only for the horse physically but also mentally so they are ready for the next session. It depends how hard and what type of work the horse has done as to how long and what is involved in the cool down but it can be as varied as your actual sessions. Maybe a walk out, over poles or a walk in-hand is a great idea after a stretch down in the trot. Horses love variety and it is very important for their bodies.

Time between training sessions varies according to the age, type of work and workload, level, personality of the horse and environment as well as whether you are in a training stage or getting close to a competition. Common sense must prevail here but also experience helps and it is a great idea to talk to your coach to get their ideas on how you should progress between each lesson. This is a part of my coaching that I love as so often the riding is the easy part and it is the management of horses where people run into trouble. By learning and being a part of what my students do with their horses between our training sessions I understand more about their horses’ personalities and that helps me know how and when to introduce particular movements and how often to repeat them.

Patience is also required when working through the grades, no matter what discipline! It is not a race! It takes time, and how long depends on too many factors to mention but certainly does include rider experience and ability and horse breed, breeding and ability. Shortcuts will always show up and come back to bite you, hence the often heard saying and need for riders to “return to basics”. The best thing riders can do is to stay with one trainer and make sure that trainer has trained horses and riders to the level to which you aspire. Trust them, work with them and you will get there, wherever there is and whenever your horse is ready.
 
Above all, have fun and enjoy your journey with your 4-legged partner!