7 STEPS TO A BETTER RIDE
STEP 3 – LET’S TALK
By Deborah Hopkins
Like all successful relationships, communication is a critical component in the horse/rider partnership. This is the essence of Contact, which is the third step in the pyramidal hierarchy of Classical riding.
According to German riding coach Peter Hick, the conversation with the horse is initiated with the contact of the rider’s aids from the seat, weight and legs through to the reins. Most of the talking should come through the seat and legs.
Hick explains that the reins are always last in the contact we make with our horse. To see if your horse is listening, check for contact on a bending line by giving with the inside rein. If your horse continues to bend, he’s listening. Hick advises, “The horse has to search for the contact from the rider’s aids”.
Next Post: Step Four – Schwung! Translation Please
You need to be a member of Barnmice Equestrian Social Community to add comments!
Join Barnmice Equestrian Social Community