Mutual understanding between horse and rider is crucial whether you are a leisure or an elite rider.
When you are relaxed and the nervous systems are calm, both horse and rider can receive learning.
I work on following principles:
Level of tension
As riders we must be able to control the level of tension in both ourselves and in our horse. For us to control it, we must first become aware of both our own and the horse's level of tension.
Studies have been done on how the horse's heart rate is affected by the rider's heart rate. The horse is aware of our breathing and level of tension.
I am convinced that the horse reflects our level of tension. Therefore, I use breathing techniques to lower our heart rate and tension level. I use a number of scientifically based breathing techniques that can easily be implemented in your daily riding.
Once the rider is familiar with the techniques, I move on to the horse. Often the horse has to learn a series of new exercises that reward a relaxed reaction. The horse must learn that the relaxed state is a predictable place where it is always rewarded for waiting and relaxing.
Once the horse and rider have learned to be in - and can find their way back to - the relaxed state of mind, we can start working with a greater level of collection based on more classic riding techniques and techniques.
Awareness of thoughts
With full presence, we sharpen our attention when we ride.
One of the amazing characteristics of horses is that they are immediate animals that are very much present. They expect us to be the same. Therefore, it is our responsibility to be present when riding. For human beings being present can be very difficult. - we are experts in analyzing the past and making plans for the future.
In practice, we have to be aware when our thoughts start to wander. We need to focus on what we're doing right now - not on the exercise we plan next. Also, we must try to be aware of the moods and emotions we bring into the riding.
Lightness in aids
The horse never gets a lighter response than the rider's first contact.
Basically, the horse do not understand any of our exercises. Therefore it is important that we make an effort to communicate correctly. We should use our aids with ease, clarity and consideration so that the horse is never in doubt as to what we are asking for.
We should use as light signals as possible. One way to train lightness and carriage is to always start with the smallest possible signal and then make the signal stronger. When training lightness, it is important not to be biased about how the horse has been in the past. We must give the horse the opportunity to show us how far it has come.
Systems
Make the right thing easy and the wrong thing difficult.
It is important that we work structured and systematic in our daily training. If you have a goal for your training, you must work systematically to achieve it. Basically, we must help the horse to make the right choice. The right answer to the aids must always be rewarded with less pressaure.
