Patience, gentleness and positive reinforcement are crucial for getting horse and rider to work together smoothly, says Kim Dyson. Here she offers simple, effective exercises to achieve this.
The best place to start basic dressage is on the floor next to your horse. Horses are driven by instinct; you cannot use fear to teach them. If your horse does not trust you, it will react on instinct, which is usually ‘flight or fight’.
When you understand your horse, you will get the best out of it. The following exercises will help, and they should be mastered before you consider more advanced levels of equine sport. They are designed to help you develop a mental and physical connection with your horse, so that you need give only the lightest of commands. Your horse should follow your touch on the reins, yield to the pressure of your legs, feel your level of energy, and respond accordingly.
TURNING THE HEAD – SIMPLE YET NECESSARY
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