Riders are often incorrectly told to lean back and against the reins when their horses get strong. Not only will this not work, but it will usually make the horse even heavier in their hands.
A great instructor is always thinking and learning about new ideas and concepts, and is always looking for new ways to impart those ideas to their students. The minute one stops learning, one stops growing... and can become stagnant.
To help keep your horse feeling uphill when spiraling in on a circle, imagine that you are going up a spiral staircase. With each stride inward on the spiral, grow taller and think about going up an imaginary step.
"Horses have taught us that progress in learning takes place in an environment of contentment. Fear and tension block success. Boundaries must exist, be clear, and be consistent. Within those boundaries our horses are encouraged to express themselves." ~ Steuart Pittman
"Most riders know the required movements, but not the directives, and that is what we judges pay attention to. We look to see how the horse is ridden in these required exercises. Is the horse ridden to the contact? Does he maintain rhythm and regularity in all gaits? Does he show a degree of suppleness appropriate for his level? Does the rider keep a tempo that facilitates balance? Even for a simple circle the directives are explicit: 'consistent bend around the rider’s inside leg, placement and control over the size of circle, reach to the bit and the quality of the gait.'" ~ Lilo Fore
Balanced riding makes for a sound horse. If a horse is unbalanced or crooked, and is loading some joints more than others, the joints with increased loading will feel increased stress. As an example, the horse that is lazy behind about engaging the joints of the hind legs, will be overly stressing the joints of the front feet and ankles by being heavy on the forehand.
Frustration can often be a part of the process of learning and improving as a rider. Look at it from the perspective that you have been strong enough to move out of your comfort zone, and into an area that is difficult for you. And if you persist with determination, you will get there!
"The outside rein keeps the horse straight, it controls the outside shoulder, it helps in the halts, it must always be a connecting feel. If the connection is too strong it blocks the inside hind leg. The contact must be elastic in both reins." ~ Gill Rolton
Imagine the rider's body as a tree… The rider's seat and core need to be engaged and strong like the tree trunk, their long draped legs are the roots, and their arms are supple movable branches.
A good lunging program will allow your horse learn how to balance himself on a proper circle in self carriage, without the added challenge of a rider on board.
Try to avoid doing too much repetition of any one movement or exercise, or riding for too long in one direction. Do something different, so you let the muscles that are currently working relax, while you work some new ones.
Any excessive closing of knees or thighs takes the rider's lower leg off of the horse. It is more correct to wrap the entire leg around the horse for half halts and downward transitions - as if giving the horse ahugwith your legs. This encourages the horse to keep the hind legs stepping under in the downward transition, and invites the horse to keep their back up as well. A tight upper leg will stop the horse, but it will tend to make them stiffen their back and stop their hind legs. Almost as much as pulling on the reins.
"Dressage is not an easy sport, there are so many variations, but the reaction to your leg, and straightness, are so important. You just don’t see top Grand Prix riders kicking or straining for a result. Don’t tease him, tap there so quick he doesn’t know it is coming. Everything in a horse’s life should be black and white, not grey." ~ Debbie McDonald
Change only happens when we consistently do things differently, not just once or twice! So cut yourself some slack when you are struggling to improve your riding skills. It will take time and lots of repetition!
Remember that your "working" trot or canter should show a consistent speed and tempo throughout your Dressage test. It is a common mistake, for example, for the rider to let the trot after the walk be much quieter than the trot immediately after the canter. And this is very obvious to the judge.
From Facebook fan Deena Cahill ~ "If your horse is really tense when riding him, try riding while having a short conversation about happy things with someone else. You will be surprised how relaxed your horse becomes when your body naturally relaxes!"
"Connection is the mirror of the entire horse, it’s the mirror of his balance, and it is a mirror of the degree of collection the horse is able to offer at this point in time." ~ Susanne Miesner
Always keep bend in your knees and elbows. If either become straight at any time, that limb will become rigid, and unable to follow the horses movement.
"Generally riders do not pay enough attention to the geometry of the circle. The circle is a line of equal curvature and, to ask for it, the rider advances the outside shoulder taking care to keep the contact of the outside rein, which determines the circle rather than by the backward movement of the inside hand." ~ Nuno Oliveira
"The back is the bridge in the horse, and it can only be there if the hind leg is really working. The rider has to influence the hind legs to build that bridge, otherwise it is a horse in three pieces, back, front and you somewhere in the middle." ~ Francis Verbeek
Horses usually try to compensate for the lack of strength in their back and haunches by seeking support from the rider's hands. So if your horse does this, you might want to consider adding some strength training to your horse's regime.
Working on changes of pace and stride during your conditioning work can go a long way towards making your horse more rideable on course. As you will be creating the habit of him being adjustable and responsive.
Maintain a slight inside positioning throughout your transitions. This will help you to keep your horse more consistently connected and balanced as they change gaits.
After each use of your legs, you need to think about opening them up a bit and letting them drop down. This will keep you on your seat bones correctly.
"The purpose of dressage is to enhance our ability to control our horses; hopefully, after a long period of consistent training, our horses will calmly and generously place their forces at our disposal." ~ Jimmy Wofford
One of the many ways that good Dressage will improve your jumping is increased straightness. Only when they are truly loading both hind legs equally will your horse have the chance to jump in his best form.
Moving the bit around in the horse's mouth to keep him from bracing against it is preventing the symptom without addressing the underlying cause. With that approach you will never solve your connection issue.
