Collection on a Loose Rein,
Cont’d from Page 1
Thus, in order to achieve collection with feel, we
must build a foundation of shifting the weight back on to the hindquarter.
At the same time, we must also clear the shoulder from obstacles hindering
movement. We accomplish this on the ground first, driving the horse forward
while staying in a position behind the shoulder. As long as we always stay
behind the shoulder, the horse never has the opportunity to drop his shoulder
into us. Try this exercise I call "Follow the Leader": On a lead 12' long or
longer, get behind the shoulder in the driving position. Bring up the life and
get the horse moving forward, staying behind the shoulder, even as far back as
behind the rear (stay safe and out of the kick zone). Go with your horse, if
he trots, you trot. If he walks, you walk. If he turns, you turn. Whatever you
do, stay behind that shoulder and keep float in the lead and avoid pulling.
You will be driving in a circle, with you on the inside and the horse on the
outside.
A horse that has been faced-up too often will be very confused and may keep
trying to face up. If he does manage it (which will only happen if you aren't
behind his shoulder), just start over driving from behind the shoulder.
Throughout the exercise, keep the life up, with the goal of having the horse
move out at a calm, steady walk. Once your horse gets comfortable with this
idea of being the leader with you following him and with your position behind
his shoulder, it's your turn to lead.
Start by continuing the exercise you were just doing, but make this
adjustment. Slow your walk down some and reposition yourself to begin walking
behind your horses tail. Be sure not to get too close and bump him, putting
enough space in there so you both have room to move. The idea here is to have
the horse follow you out of the circle and onto a strait line with you in a
leading position.
As you continue to walk around behind him, notice that his body has to follow
you in an arch. His inside hind reaches up and under his body, causing his
inside front shoulder to elevate up and to the side.
By now you are in a position ahead of the shoulder and the horse is starting
to follow you out of the turn. Pay attention to the feet, are all four moving
equally (as they should be) or is he dumping his weight and planting one of
his limbs to make the turn. Keep walking straight ahead as best you can with
plenty of room between you and your horse until he is walking a straight line
directly behind you as you lead him to somewhere interesting.
This is the same way that a mare teaches her foal to follow her everywhere she
goes, by following the foal where ever he goes first. Throughout this
exercise, the horse has also been learning to shift his weight in such a way
that allows his hind end to reach deep under him. Distributing weight to
the rear and freeing up the shoulder results in smooth, seamless direction
changes. The horse has been collecting.
All of this is done without pulling on the horse
or exerting pressure on the lead rope. Consistency over time with exercises
similar to this will re-teach your horse his own natural ability to collect
and shift his weight to where it is needed. Achieving this without using force
or gimmicks is the foundation of collection on a loose rein, which will be
next month's topic.
Remember -
Stay Behind the Shoulder!
Deborah
Kunic
888-434-1711
