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preliminary training to jumping

Test your connexion with your horse

Droits d'accès: 
Abonné
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Résumé listing: 

This exercise is comprehensive and technical, which is among Michel’s favourite exercises.  It teaches the riders to be very meticulous in their position, the track they are on and the control of the speed.  It is a perfect exercise to practise the basics prior to a jumping session.  The goal is to program the horse and rider before jumping.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

This exercise is comprehensive and technical, which is among Michel’s favourite exercises.  It teaches the riders to be very meticulous in their position, the track they are on and the control of the speed.  It is a perfect exercise to practise the basics prior to a jumping session.  The goal is to program the horse and rider before jumping.

The set-up which consists of two ground flexi Jump poles, is really easy to realise and shows no risk for the riders and horses. That said, it will require a lots of focus and some preparation from the rider.  He/ she will have to comply with the requirements of a course, practising the flexions to the right and left, the approaches and landings, a certain number of strides between poles, the straightness, some flying change of leads, increasing and decreasing the speed….all that while keeping a light seat, to offer the freedom of movement to the horse. Quite a program.

This exercise is shown on the sheet G7 of the Training program 1

Progress: 

For this session, Michel teaches Charlotte and her mare Rasbury. She starts the exercise at a trot. For less experienced horses and riders, it would be better to start at a walk two or three times. It will allow them to get a feel for the pattern and the requirements of the exercises in a quiet way.
Charlotte will have to resolve some difficulties such as keeping her mare straight between the poles and changing the lead in a spot more suitable for the rest of the course. Little by little she gets better at it, thanks to Michel’s advice.

Don’t hesitate to practise this exercise. It is an excellent way to test the connection with your horse and the quality of your work before going to jump.

Cours associés

Caring for and improving the horse’s top line motion

Droits d'accès: 
Abonné
Image Miniature: 
Résumé listing: 

How to strengthen the horse’s back and get him ready for the jumping session to follow by riding with the correct mental and physical attitude with the essential exercises to practice.

Niveau de difficulté: 
Intermédiaire
Goal: 

Michel rides Day Dreamer for the first time, and as it’s his practice when a new horse joins the yard, he starts by assessing the horse. Michel finds out the weaknesses and strengths of the horse by paying attention to the horse’s reactions when he varies his position. It will enable him to set some training goals. Regarding Day Dreamer, like the majority of horses, his weakness is some sensitivity in the withers and underneath the saddle. Michel explains the mind and body attitude to take on, in order to allow Day Dreamer to improve the motion of his top-line which will in turn release the points that are blocking the flow of energy.

Bringing a particular attention to the horses’ back has always been a priority for Michel. No exercise can be beneficial and successful if the horse moves in a wrong attitude. If the horse doesn’t use his back correctly, it’s illusive to expect him to be in self-carriage and to engage his rear legs. The rider’s priority should be to stretch the horse’s entire top line in order to improve the driving forces and to allow the energy to flow through as freely as possible, from the rear-end to the mouth with no blockages.
 

Lesson: 

To remember:

- Caring for the  horse’s  back must be an absolute priority. “No back, no horse”

- Beware of your horse’s reactions to detect eventual soreness or blockage in the flow of energy.

- At the end of an exercise, if you let go off your reins and the horse stretches down, it means that he loosens up the correct way. On the other hand, if he opens up and lifts up his neck, it shows some soreness, blockage of energy, or some misunderstanding.
 

Cours associés