Hi,
I wasn't really sure what title to give this post...I started to call it "a few contradictions" but I am certain that the misunderstanding lies with me. Can anyone help to clarify any of the following points?
1) "Aid ahead of time, for no apparent reason. It is like putting money in the bank for some future purpose". (Hebermann, quote taken from Arrow Equestrian site-hope that's okay)…but what is the difference between "aiding" too far in advance and effectively preparing a horse for a transition, new movement, etc? In other words how do you prepare a horse well without aiding in advance??? Is it about asking for impulsion/collection in advance of riding any new movement?
2) In Anja Beran's book "In Deference" she says one should never use the reins alternatively as it has a restraining effect? But what about when squeezing and releasing when asking the horse to soften his jaw? I normally squeeze one rein and then the other…(but what about question 4-do the reins each have different roles?)
3) “Never use rein and leg aid at the same time” How do people time/coordinate this? At the moment I am trying to build impulsion on the horse I am riding and encourage him to carry himself correctly-my instructor tells me to use a combination of my legs and small sqeezes on the reins…again how do you coordinate this??? Should I be aware of which of the horse’s legs is moving and time according to this??/
4) Beran says “a horse should always be on the outside rein”…and I remember reading in another post that Herbermann says to “feather” the inside rein only and half-halt with the outside rein. Does everyone differentiate between the inside/outside reins in terms of their role/purpose? If so, can someone explain this to me please…
5) Hebermann: “After every rein aid, soften both hands forward”.Does this literally mean let hands forward or merely release the fingers?
Also, when holding the reins is it wrong to tilt the wrists?…this is something I have fallen into the habit of doing-i.e tilting the wrists and effectivey giving with the rein in this sense. My instructor has told me not to! I always give my horse breaks on a long rein frequently between exercises but I am not sure that I am “softening” enough throughout schooling sessions-do other people find it difficult to maintain an elastic contact? Any tips?
I have lots of other questions but I think I will stop there for now and save them for a future post. I am wondering whether there is an underlying theme to these questions that might help to clarify my thoughts…anyway, in the meantime any feedback is much appreciated,
Cheryl x
Why me?
Ok Q1 I dont actually understand your question?
Q2 is one for Heather really but I ask for what I need at the time so if I want one side to soften I ask that side if I *then* need the other side to soften I will ask the other side but I should think the point is to be clear what you are actually aiding for and not start randomly fiddling with the bit.
Q3 Again same issue as above,be clear what you want to achieve and be clear on how to address it,the legs ask for energy ( and sideways of course but thats a different issue) the hand filters the energy and also asks the horse to yield its jaw or flex etc.
The point is not to use an ACTIVE leg aid at the same time as an ACTIVE rein aid mainly but also to give the horse space in front if you ask him forward,ie; dont TRAP him between driving and restraining aids.
So do you need more energy ( use a leg aid) or do you need him to yield the jaw or flex ( use a rein aid).
Q4 feathering the inside rein is to ask the horse not to lean on it,feathering involves a quick open of the fingers followed by a slow closing,Im not entirely convinced by its effectiveness tbh perhaps Heather could explain how she asks for the same thing?
Basically you want the horse gently flexed to the inside but to feel EVEN in both reins anyway.
Half halt with the OS rein because the horses inside hind is recieved there.
Q5 literally just means soften or in other words dont hang on or have a "holding" quality but go back to the neutral elastic quality where neither horse nor rider is pulling.If you ride with fingers open when not aiding then yes the fingers would be open,whereas if you ride with them closed they would be closed but SOFTLY.
Yes its very wrong to tilt your wrists,how can you have the uninterrupted elastic connection from your seat via your elbows/hands to the horses mouth if the wrists are tilted? You need a straight line from elbow to bit and your elbow needs to have an elastic connection to your seat.
For sure,a consistent elastic contact is one of the hardest things to learn because it is dependent on several things;
1) having a supple allowing seat
2)being aware of and able to absorb and correctly follow the horses movement
3) having no stiffness anywhere in your body
4) that the horse is supple and free from stuiffness and able to accept your contact
5) Learning *how* to connect with the horses mouth through your whole body.
It takes time,good instruction and discipline to train your body and mind to achieve this,its probably the hardest thing you will ever learn!
