This is one line from the book ‘The Way to Perfect Horsemanship’ by Udo Burger. I have to say once I read that, over twenty five years ago, it virtually changed my approach to training.
I have to also say it took me quite a while to work out his exact meaning when riding the horses, but once I did it had a profound change on all of the work. Here is my interpretation and how I apply it.
If we are riding a sharp horse, a volunteer, eager to always go, he has to be taught to ‘wait’. If it is a more stoic type he has to be taught to maintain energy of his own accord. Often we see horses at the end of a workout virtually on the buckle and stretching, but can the same horse always start the session on a loose rein?
The sharp/keen horse has to be taught to hold himself back and not rely on the rider to constantly be slowing him down with the reins and/or seat. The horse must be given and take responsibility. We cannot honestly and frankly ride forward if we are relentlessly on the brakes. The only honest way to test this is to drop the reins. And I don’t mean to work long and low, or even on a light influencing contact. I mean drop the lot and hold the buckle. The horse should show no change in speed when this is done. Only then do you know he is mentally and physically holding himself back and waiting for direction from the rider. How can you use the reins for refinement, for subtle poll flexion, for straightening the neck if you are hanging on to control the speed?
The stoic horse will be happy to plod along on the buckle but he must also be reminded sharply that it is his responsibility to maintain the energy level until requested to change. Time and again I see riders who constantly push, squeeze and shove with their legs ‘trying to keep him going’. How can you use your leg and seat for refinement, for lateral work, for straightness if you constantly need them to keep the motor running?
If you have never done this exercise I am not suggesting that the next time you are cantering a young horse you suddenly drop the reins and pray! Build up to it gradually; loosen the contact for a few steps at a time, making small corrections if the horse makes an error. When done well this exercise is wonderful for developing a calm and confident horse. When you loosen or drop the rein you should get the feeling that your horse is asking back at you;
“Yes, what speed would you like me to go?”
I have never met a horse that did not benefit from these exercises and I can assure you, if you have a lesson with me I will most certainly ask to see your work on a loose rein at some point.
A picture speaks a thousand words and hopefully a moving picture will speak volumes. Below are three links to short videos trying to show this exercise. Now BE WARNED, the camera work is terrible! I did it on my mobile phone, and when we finally got a bright sunny day so you could actually see the work, the wind was howling! You can hear me muttering in the back ground with the wind whipping across my face, but importantly you will see a good demonstration of this simple exercise.
P.S. If you find these mini videos useful and would like some more, hit the ‘likey’ button and I’ll try to get some better quality ones.
Free walk exercises on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsZp6o2heg
Free trot work on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDuxGUzA4bs
Free canter work on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53UxbYsvfY
If we are riding a sharp horse, a volunteer, eager to always go, he has to be taught to ‘wait’. If it is a more stoic type he has to be taught to maintain energy of his own accord. Often we see horses at the end of a workout virtually on the buckle and stretching, but can the same horse always start the session on a loose rein?
The sharp/keen horse has to be taught to hold himself back and not rely on the rider to constantly be slowing him down with the reins and/or seat. The horse must be given and take responsibility. We cannot honestly and frankly ride forward if we are relentlessly on the brakes. The only honest way to test this is to drop the reins. And I don’t mean to work long and low, or even on a light influencing contact. I mean drop the lot and hold the buckle. The horse should show no change in speed when this is done. Only then do you know he is mentally and physically holding himself back and waiting for direction from the rider. How can you use the reins for refinement, for subtle poll flexion, for straightening the neck if you are hanging on to control the speed?
The stoic horse will be happy to plod along on the buckle but he must also be reminded sharply that it is his responsibility to maintain the energy level until requested to change. Time and again I see riders who constantly push, squeeze and shove with their legs ‘trying to keep him going’. How can you use your leg and seat for refinement, for lateral work, for straightness if you constantly need them to keep the motor running?
If you have never done this exercise I am not suggesting that the next time you are cantering a young horse you suddenly drop the reins and pray! Build up to it gradually; loosen the contact for a few steps at a time, making small corrections if the horse makes an error. When done well this exercise is wonderful for developing a calm and confident horse. When you loosen or drop the rein you should get the feeling that your horse is asking back at you;
“Yes, what speed would you like me to go?”
I have never met a horse that did not benefit from these exercises and I can assure you, if you have a lesson with me I will most certainly ask to see your work on a loose rein at some point.
A picture speaks a thousand words and hopefully a moving picture will speak volumes. Below are three links to short videos trying to show this exercise. Now BE WARNED, the camera work is terrible! I did it on my mobile phone, and when we finally got a bright sunny day so you could actually see the work, the wind was howling! You can hear me muttering in the back ground with the wind whipping across my face, but importantly you will see a good demonstration of this simple exercise.
P.S. If you find these mini videos useful and would like some more, hit the ‘likey’ button and I’ll try to get some better quality ones.
Free walk exercises on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsZp6o2heg
Free trot work on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDuxGUzA4bs
Free canter work on the buckle;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y53UxbYsvfY