Horses are not like scooters that start with a key. We can't get on our bikes and start communicating like we would with a car. Their language is that of the body, and every moment is an opportunity for communication. Every look, every gesture we make communicates something, often without us being aware of it. We communicate verbally, they read everything, from our every hesitation to the smallest movement. "There is nothing that means absolutely nothing, everything means something." Horses read us like an open book.
I often pick up students' horses who magically relax, respect personal space, become light. It's not magic, nor sticks, nor halters with knots. It is the awareness of my movements, the determination in my energy, the specificity of my body language and the timing of release. These skills can only be learned from the ground up, and are accessible to anyone with the will to improve - will trumps talent in the long run.
But how can we learn timing, feel, and use body language in the saddle appropriately?
The challenge of communicating in the saddle and the importance of working from the ground
In the saddle, especially during the learning phase, the difficulty increases exponentially. We need to manage balance, position, coordination and emotions. We often find ourselves struggling with fear and frustration, also complicating the horse's life. Let's remember that they are prey, that they have a saddle and a predator on their back, and think about how available they are, how much they try, even with all these difficulties, to do their best for the emotional and physical condition they feel in that moment. Despite the difficulties, horses are extraordinary animals, extremely helpful, although each obviously has its own character.
Ground work is essential for both us and them: it's fundamental! It allows us to evaluate our horse's calmness, connection and readiness for our requests. But if this were not the case, what is the best way to achieve this result? Learning to explain everything from the ground: 90%, if not more, of the actions we carry out in the saddle can be explained on the ground. It allows us to stay safe, with our feet on the ground, less influenced by emotions. For horses, you give them the opportunity to analyze and understand any request in the best situation, learning to read our energy, the way we communicate, deal with new things and so on... I could go on forever.
This is the reason why the current riding system should evolve. In fact, my students all work from the ground. Before tackling the gallop in the saddle, they know how to ask for the canter from the ground, they make the horse confident, and they know how to be effective in communicating through their language. The results are remarkable, and I'm not just referring to the competitions, which are naturally a consequence.
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The case of a determined and sensitive student
I have a wonderful student who initially feared cantering, having just learned to trot on her own. Now, after a year, I observe the result in amazement. Beyond all the inaccuracies, which are naturally part of the journey, she has transformed into an extraordinarily sensitive knight. This is the real win for me as an instructor.
Every horse she works with, whether on the ground or in the saddle (she's even ridden two 4-year-old colts), loves her. Her kindness, sensitivity and timing set her apart. While you may not yet be highly effective at times, I am confident that with time and experience you will achieve mastery.
His race performances are always exceptional. Even in a situation where she got an out for lack of pace and other reasons, she came off the field stroking her mare. That evening she called me to ask if it had affected their relationship (spoiler: obviously not, and they got a perfect 0 in the next competition in the same category!). She just had to learn something.
I know he will still face difficult days, eliminations, falls, but with such an open heart, I am sure he will achieve great satisfaction.
What differentiates you from others? His distinction from others lies in his indifference to competition and jumping; her real goal is to create a friendship with horses, no matter what the cost. She loves working from the ground, tackling it with patience and humility. Having trained a Knight with a capital C, even if it is currently only a recreational license, represents infinite satisfaction for me. For me she has already won and will continue to do so if she keeps the relationship as a priority. Anyone who saw her ride would agree with me.
It's shocking to see how many sensitive, talented and passionate young people are drawn into the idea that horse riding is just a sport. That the horse must be replaced every two by three, as soon as it encounters difficulties or "stops working". I know what it means, I've been there too, we all approach horses for the same reason, perhaps inspired by Spirit. Unfortunately, we end up playing the role of the bad guys. And the horses are there, hoping that we can hear them, that we can really understand them... so they wait for the quieter horses, the less available ones don't wait, they put us down repeatedly.
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Hopes for the future of horse riding
The difference between an exceptional rider and others lies in the willingness to learn, to put the relationship with the horse first. Too often, viewing horseback riding as a sport can distract from the true essence of the connection with the horse.
I sincerely hope that this series of articles can inspire at least one person. I don't mean that tomorrow this person will completely revolutionize their approach to riding, but that tomorrow they will approach their horse with an open heart, with greater awareness and a deeper desire to understand it.
Perhaps he will question whether the mouth shutter is actually necessary to communicate with his great friend. Maybe he will find a way to prevent his partner from ending up alone in the box. Maybe he will give the horse a pat when he responds well. Perhaps, in small gestures, he will help improve his horse's life, aspiring to truly be a partner for him. And for me, just that would be a huge step forward.
I sincerely thank you for the attention dedicated to this article, in the hope that, as anticipated, it will be the horses that give you a big thank you.
Edited by Isabel Mandy, for Fedda.
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