If there was one area that I would like people to work on understanding it would be the connection of the idea of Being Forward + Back + Hindquarter Energy. This is just part of a series, so please see the Dressage Foundations: Being Foward category link to the left for all entries.

Along with the huge theme I am tackling about horses and being forward, there is a crucial post needed and that is about why horses aren’t forward.

Horses aren’t forward because People Train Them That Way. PERIOD.

If you’re horse is not going forward properly, and there is no health reason to account for it, it is because of the training he has received or is receiving. Before you begin a re-training, you have to figure out what you are doing to contribute to the problem, because, more then likely, you (just like me and thousands of other riders)  are really the problem.

The problem starts with holding back with the hands. No matter how much go you ask for with the leg aids or whip, if you are holding back with your wrists, hands or elbows, your horse is going to take the easy way out and just say no to forward movement.

Horses are very sensitive to pressure, and it might surprise you that the hand pressure you have been using – instead of holding and shaping his energy, has in fact, been squeezing it down and closing the door. When in doubt always bring the hands forward to slacken and drive the horse forward with the leg and whip aids.

When frightened, worried, panicked, or concerned we clamp down with our hands. The rider who is about to take the canter and worries they won’t take the right lead will unconsciously tighten the hands. The rider who becomes worried about speed, tightens the hands. etc… If we hear a sudden noise, are hands immediately react by grabbing and yanking the reins.

As toolmakers, humans rely upon the hands for safety, control and expression. We talk on the phone and wave our hands. When we fall, we throw out our hands. We type, eat, hold the screwdriver and the drill, turn the car, open doors all with hands. I challenge you to go one hour without using your hands – while you are still awake (sleeping does not count!).

Traditional instruction puts a heavy emphasis on “soft hands.” Because “soft” is a subjective, descriptive verb it just gets screwed up in the translation between instructor to rider to horse.

Too many riders have been instructed into keeping their hands frozen into a locked position - cocked in the wrist, and way too low, near the saddle. This happens also because people are looking for a “picture” to impress the judge; however, it doesn’t train horses.

Rigid hands are not a sign of “soft” – soft comes from feeling and being receptive to what the horse presents at any given time.

Horses and their movement is not static so if you respond with rigidity you cannot influence or guide. Your typical horse changes his energy and how it presents with every stride – you have to be ready to catch those changes in your hands and respond with intuition, firmness and purpose.

As you increase in your knowledge, it’s important to feel you have the freedom to experiment and move your hands around. This is a huge topic that I cannot cover totally in a blog… I hope to get some video of what I’m writing about to help you see it, although Big Guy is not up for much, and my change and influence won’t be noticeable as he is not strong enough to change in my response, it will give you some ideas you can play around (safely) with at home with your own horse.