7 Steps to a Better Ride

STEP 6 – SHIFT TO THE REAR

By Deborah Hopkins

When your horse is moving with rhythm and relaxation, driving forward from the hind quarters, when his body is straight and he is attentive to your aids, you are ready to begin working on suppleness, the sixth principle in the pyramid of Classical riding.

To promote suppleness, third level certified coach Peter Hick recommends lots of gait transitions and tempo changes. Ask for collected, working, middle and extended trot. Walk to canter for just a few steps.

Once you feel your ride becoming more effortless, you have succeeded in encouraging your horse to carry more weight on his hind quarters. This is suppleness, and the final step before collection.

“It’s always a conversation between the rider and the horse”, Hick explains. The message you are giving: carry yourself on your hind quarters.

Final post: Collection – The Sweet Reward