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January
Blog Archives
17
March
Many students have asked me over the years “What is Dressage?”
- Painting by Janey Belozer
The following exerpt by Dr. Thomas Ritter is one of the best descriptions of what “Classical Dressage” is supposed to be. Not what modern-day dressage has become. At its heart, Classical Dressage is the quest to attain the highest level of mental & physical communication between horse and rider. To witness the sheer beauty of horse & rider uniting as one seamless pair is to witness what heaven will be like! R. Smith
From a historical and practical point of view, the purpose of Classical Dressage was to train a horse to be safe, reliable, obedient, and comfortable to ride under all circumstances. Horses also needed to stay sound for many years – for economic as well as ethical reasons, since good horses were always expensive and often hard to find, and because the training takes a very long time.
From a philosophical point of view, Classical Dressage is about training the horse purely for the joy of training – l’art pour l’art. In addition, it should benefit the horse’s well-being. Anything in the training of the horse, that is not in the best interests of the horse’s soundness, happiness, and spirituality is not classical. Classical Dressage is not about the spectacular airs, such as the levade or capriole, or the piaffe and passage, however beautiful and inspiring those are. It is instead about the day-to-day work of the horse. It is the “chopping wood and carrying water” of the equestrian disciplines.
At the heart of Classical Dressage is the spirit of establishing a connection with the horse. The horse is not a vehicle, either literally as a means for transportation, or figuratively, as a vehicle for success, prestige, and power. The horse is a living, breathing, and FEELING being, and it is of the utmost importance, in the training, to connect with this essence. This connection involves a careful balance between trust and respect. It would be idealistic to think one could achieve this simply through indiscriminate kindness to the horse, but if such kindness and softness are not balanced by sensible boundaries, the horse will never learn either respect or trust. Both go hand in hand. One is not possible without the other. The horse thrives in an environment of love, fairness, and consistency. It is the human’s responsibility to provide fair and consistent boundaries in the horse’s life. The horse, just like a child, can sense when he is treated with love and respect. He will accept any justified reprimand and even outright strictness, without losing his interest and love for the human, if it is fairly executed and balanced by reward and love. On the other hand, if the horse is treated without love and respect, he will withdraw in order to protect himself, and either become afraid or angry. It is our responsibility, as the caretakers and trainers of our horse, to see that his spiritual and psychological needs are met. If we are to train the horse in the spirit of Classical Dressage, this cannot be ignored, and the horse cannot be treated merely as livestock or assets.
True classical training is gymnastic training. It can even become physical therapy. It preserves and prolongs (and in some cases, even restores) the soundness of the horse. Classical training does not teach the dressage movements as tricks without the necessary gymnastic preparation. It ensures that each movement is learned and executed in such a way that the horse uses his body economically and efficiently by minimizing friction and wear and tear through balance and suppleness. In classical dressage, movements are not an end in themselves, but they are gymnastic tools that make specific muscle groups stronger and more supple. Such an approach to training as gymnasticization continually improves the horse’s balance, suppleness, and straightness, which results in smoother gaits, less jarring, less bracing and resistance, and consequently greater soundness and longevity. Read More…
In developing the ELS “Seamless Riding” Balanced Seat Program I found myself in a dilemma. Most adult humans I enrolled as students had physical and mental (fear-based) challenges. In order for the student to fully realize their potential as a rider, these challenges needed to be addressed first . It was and still is my intent to prepare riders with the pre-requisite mental & physical knowledge needed to achieve any discipline of riding they may choose. It is through physical & mental awareness that this is achieved. I believe that the vertical balanced-seat, long-leg position of dressage & western is the primary position to learn to ride properly in the motion of the horses’ movements. Additionally, it is my passionate intent to educate humans “about” horses. How they think, feel & learn. Only then can a human truly connect with their horse to achieve the level of partnership desired. R. Smith
29
April
Well, true to good form, our Merlin entered fooling the likes of “his” welcoming committee. For 10 hours “we” thought Trinity…….but…. Merlin emerged with a few parts we missed in the aftermath and excitement of his delivery into the world. A special thanks to ALL the wonderful welcoming committee at 2:22am Saturday April 26th. Nicole (who has always wanted to see a baby horse born), Tina (your calving experience served you well), Chuck (who assisted as mid-hubby), Jaqui (who’s beautiful photos and love at getting to the birth so fast is commendable!), Alec (who has a “knightly crush on Presence–;), Aunia (who was stellar at being available no matter what time) and of course I ambled in after Merlin took his first steps. Thanks Tina for recording it! if I missed someone it was fatigue and unintentional. Saturday lessons became a blurrrr! For all of us!
Thanks to the ELS Community for the love and understanding you have for allowing Presence some peace over the weekend. She is recovering like a champ. Also, a great Thanks to Connie and Chuck of Immortal Farms who lovingly breed and train these wonderful Warlanders into quiet, respectful partners and stayed available and supportive through the pregnancy and beyond! My journey with Presence and Merlin has just begun. Thanks to Lee Palmer for guiding us through the imprinting process, although duty called her elsewhere, she was with us in spirit.
Take a look at the Miracle of Life “Merlin is Born”: https://onedrive.live.com/
Presence is as good a mama as one could hope. Both are doing well after a bit of a nuisanc
e of IV Therapy as precaution for Presence. She retained some placenta a bit long but is now doing great thanks to the vigilance of Megan McCracken @ Rainland Farms Equine Clinic. We are so happy Merlin is rambunctious, friendly, bold, fearless, and healthy! Oh…and yes, he is gorgeous. Stay tuned for the adventures of the first ALL Parelli born baby and what “magical” feats this equine has in store for us. He is truly becoming Merlin the Gray!
~RSmith
Well, time is flying…our cute little Merlin is growing faster than a weed! Here he is over the past month. Halter training and other important tasks…like staying close to mom going in and out of the stable…for example…From his first days out to a month later annoying his mother!
Halter training is so fun when you have Lee Palmer teaching! I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful trainer helping Merlin develop into a nice young gentle horse…he is a bit big for his britches!