Soft, fluid, controlled movement of horse and rider should be the desire of all riding disciplines. Whether the ultimate goal is high-level dressage or barrel racing, the rider should seek complete integration of movement.
Quick, jerky movements create tension and waste energy. Training techniques that emphasize the rider gaining dominance over the horse create such tension even if it may be hard to see. Any resistance on the part of the horse will affect the horse's performance. Any effort on the part of the rider to force compliance to his wishes will add to the tension.
This is not to say that there is never a time for discipline. But the ultimate desire should be for the horse to participate willingly (not as a result of fear) in the chosen activity. A useful analogy is that of partners dancing together as one. The leader guides his partner with subtle pressure and weight shifts. The partner follows, not out of compulsion, but as a natural movement of one body.
Many articles and books have been written on training and riding horses. Various authors and trainers offer their own ideas about what particular cue to use to get a certain response from the horse. I am no different. It is best to study a variety of different methods. The result is like having a toolbox full of many different tools. If one is not quite right for a particular job, you have another to try.
While I have my favorite cues, I will often try another if my choice does not solicit the response I desire. Then, as I work slowly with the horse, I can re-train him to respond to the cue I prefer. Most horses are very adaptable and can respond to a variety of cues if they have been taught that they will be rewarded for doing so. I have learned that once a horse knows what a rider wants when he gives his partner a light cue, that horse will respond better to that rider than to one who kicks or pulls him to get the same response.
While limited in scope, my desire is that this web site provide a glimpse of how unity of horse and rider may be achieved. If you would like to learn more, the contact page provides information on how to get in touch with me for lectures, lessons, or clinics.
For a listing of other resources and my comments on them, visit my companion site at quietriding.org.
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