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NOVICE DRESSAGE (20 × 40m ARENA)
1. ESTABLISHING DRESSAGE POSITION
Aim of the exercise
Assessing a correct position in the saddle is fundamental to the rider being effective in giving clear aids to their horse, and gives them the opportunity to progress in their skills.
This exercise can be viewed from TP1 to give a side view on both reins, and TP2 and 3 to give a front and rear view.
Step-by-step explanation of the exercise
Starting from D on the left rein in medium walk, horse and rider turn onto the quarter line (5m in from the arena edge), halting opposite B (indicated in green). They then proceed on the quarter line, turning left across the arena opposite M. They then track left at H, continue on the track to K, where they turn left again to repeat the exercise.
This exercise can be ridden in trot and canter. A change of rein is required to repeat the exercise on the right rein.
In order to assess the rider's overall position in the saddle, it is important to view them from the side, head on and from behind.
With the side view assessment, the rider should sit tall in the saddle, upright on the seat bones. There should be a vertical alignment of shoulder, hip and heel.
When viewed from the front, the rider should appear central to the horse. Check that their knees and feet are level, and that the thighs are in close contact to the horse. Their head should be facing forwards between the horse's ears.
From the rear, a clearer view of the torso can reveal further details of any lateral collapse through the upper body.
Regarding lower leg position, the upper calf should be on the horse's body, and the feet parallel to the horse's sides. The heels are visible from this rear view, so note if the toes are turning in or out. The stirrups should be hanging vertically.
Common faults and how to rectify these
If the rider sits to the rear of their seat bones, this increases pressure on the horse's back under the back of the saddle, and pushes the leg position too far forwards. The alignment of their hips and shoulders should be adjusted, as this will rectify the leg position.
With their weight to the front of their seat, the rider will tend to perch on the pommel, loading the horse's withers, which can impinge on its shoulder movement. Their leg position will be too far back. Sitting with their weight evenly distributed in the saddle will place the legs correctly.
Should the rider collapse at the waist to one side, this affects their stability in the saddle, with a risk of losing balance, or even falling off. To help rectify this, ensure the stirrups are even, and that the saddle is not over to one side. Assess the alignment of the rider's spine from head to hips and rectify any deviation from the vertical.
2. STRETCHING (WARM-UP)
Aims of the exercise
The aim of the exercise is to promote relaxation throughout the whole of the horse's body by stretching through the back, with freedom of the neck.
This exercise can be viewed from TP1.
Starting from A in medium walk on the left rein, horse and rider proceed to B, where they ride a 20m-diameter circle. On the circle, the rider encourages the horse to stretch through the back, lengthening the reins as the horse stretches forwards and downwards. On returning to B, they take up the contact and proceed around the arena to E, where the circle is repeated. On returning to E, they continue to A to repeat the exercise.
A change of rein is required to ride this exercise on the right rein. Once established in walk, this exercise can be ridden in trot.
Once the rider has lengthened the reins, with the horse taking its neck forwards and downwards for a few steps, ask them to gradually retake the contact. Repeat this give and retake of the reins several times until the rider is at ease with this exercise, without affecting their position in the saddle.
Stretching on a loose rein, with total freedom of the neck, is the ultimate aim, with both horse and rider relaxed and confident in each other. If the rider becomes tense, affecting the horse's state of mind, then the contact should be taken up, and worked again, to aid concentration and re-establish trust before trying again.
Assess the rhythm of the walk, checking that the rider is not focused on forwardness, going too fast, to the detriment of the regularity and over track of the horse's natural walk.
It is important that the horse's head and neck reach forwards and downwards towards the ground. If the horse's nose is behind the vertical, there is no beneficial stretch through the back.
Look for balance and evenness of stretch through the horse's body in both directions. Any drifting into or out of the circle indicates rider imbalance, so this needs to be addressed. Crookedness in either horse or rider will hinder the horse's ability to stretch through the back and neck.
Working on a 20m diameter circle is a safer way of stretching the horse, should it be fresh at the beginning of a session. If the horse is unsettled, it is safer for the rider to work the horse calmly in other exercises before stretching.
Observe the rider's position, noticing any tendency to lean forwards as the horse stretches, as this could put the horse out of balance, on its forehand. Their upper body should remain upright, encouraging the horse to step under its body with the hind legs.
TOP TIP
Stretching work is beneficial for mental relaxation, for both horse and rider, when used at regular intervals during a training session.
Stretching work on a long rein is important for relaxation, for both horse and rider, between exercises.
3. STRAIGHT LINES
The aim here is to take an overview of both the body alignment of the horse and the straightness of the rider's posture in the saddle, which impacts on the straightness of the horse.
This exercise can be viewed from TP1 to give a front and rear view.
Starting from A on the left rein in medium walk, horse and rider turn onto the quarter line (5m in from the arena edge). They then proceed on the quarter line, turning left across the arena opposite M. They then track left at H, continue on the track to K, where they turn left again to repeat the exercise.
From the front view on the quarter line, check for displacement of the horse's neck to one side, which could be a result of more weight carried on the opposite foreleg, with the effect of drifting to the side through the shoulder.
Viewed from the rear, the horse's hip bones should be level, as should be the rider's shoulders and pelvis. Check whether the rider is sitting equally on both seat bones, and putting the same amount of weight in each stirrup.
The horse's tail should hang vertically. If it is held to one side, this can indicate either tension, or a lack of alignment through the spine. Both sides of horse and rider should mirror each other.
With straightness issues, mistakes stemming from rider inconsistency can easily be rectified with training. If the horse is not straight, the rider should be corrected first, to see if this resolves the problem.
An uneven contact affects the position of the horse's head, tipping the nose to one side, with the ears being unlevel. Making sure the rider has equal contact on both sides of the bit can rectify this issue.
If the horse's head is unsteady, this is likely to be a result of the rider's hands being too active on the reins, so make sure the rider keeps their hands still.
Regarding the horse, any deviation of the haunches to one side indicates crookedness. One hip may also be lower than the other, suggesting unevenness of weight on the hind legs. Drifting to either side is indicative of loss of balance, which could be a result of the rider sitting to one side, or the horse being weaker on one side of its body.
Persistent crookedness, affecting the straightness of the horse, may be due to other factors besides rider technique, so advice from other professionals, such as the vet, farrier or saddler should be sought.
4. TRANSITIONS: HALT/WALK/TROT
The aim here is to improve the quality of transitions between halt, walk and trot, assessing the preparation by the rider for each transition.
Starting from A in medium walk on the left rein, a transition to halt is...
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