Collection Without Tack, Part 3

Using groundwork and the half-pass for collected movement

by Paul Dufresne

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In the last issue we reviewed how we start from a stationary position and build to a moving position, and then finally to riding. Let’s review the Guidelines for Success:

• Use a smaller training area: a round pen or paddock.

• Teach in micro sessions 3-7 minutes long.

• Progress from a stand to moving forward, from slower gaits to faster, from simple gaits to complex.

• If the horse is getting confused, step back to an easier level or start over.

• Start with the cue that your horse responds the most quickly to, then pair that cue with your finished cue.

• If the horse has good control of the poll with a lead line and halter, this is a good backup to reinforce the other cues.

• Use small treats, offered when the horse is patiently waiting and not being demanding.

• Enjoy yourself; watch the freedom of expression your horse will offer.

Teaching the horse to round without traditional tack facilitates proper posture to start all kinds of collected movements.

Forward to Upward

In the "stand on a dime" exercises—a series of progressive posture exercises where I teach the horse to reduce its base of support without developing negative tension in the topline (see NWHS July 2007 issue)—I have been able to round the horse in this position then drive out of it, progressing to a powerful, catlike gateado movement. When teaching the horse to do a pesade or levade, this technique allows me to raise the horse from the base of the neck and maintain that roundness as it tries to sit on its hind legs. This rounding, combined with the "dime" and playing with a trot on a circle can allow us to move the horse's forward energy from forward to upward in either a piaffe or passage. Combining the dime with the rounding tends to facilitate the horse holding itself softly in collection, rather than stiffening, which is so often seen in more typical dressage. By stalling forward movement while raising the upward energy with a whip, in a gentle but energetic upward sweep, we change forward energy into upward suspension.

Also mentioned in the last article is the need to practice lateral movements such as shoulder-in and leg yields, which are best stolen by moving the horse in a circle and then using the cordeo to gently press/push the neck (like a neck rein or an indirect rein) while maintaining the bend we had in the circle. This is then easily moved into a leg yield by adding more pressure on the ribcage with a whip or hand and walking through the horse’s ribcage. Again, don’t get greedy. Steal a few steps, then continue on the circle, then steal a few more. Most people get stuck on these lateral movements because they stay on them too long and the horse loses his posture and then tightens, reducing the fluidity of the stride.

The Half-Pass

A more difficult lateral move is the half-pass. Begin by setting up the horse for a turn on the haunches in a rounded frame. This is very much like the position of a rollback. As the horse is rounded and bent away from you, push him gently with a neck aid to move away, but then also push him slightly back with the cordeo to put his weight on the hindquarter. As the horse begins to move his front limbs crossing over, pick up the hindquarter with your whip and get him to make a step under and across.

If the horse attempts a try, stop and reward. If you keep repeating this and add one step or a partial step, then before you know it you will have a good start to a half-pass, which is fundamental to improving the canter leads.

Once you can start a horse into a half-pass from a standstill, it is better to steal it out of a figure-8 at a walk. As we come to the intersection of the circles while maintaining the roundness, we use our second hand to push the horse's head gently away from us, changing the bend in the other direction. As the horse changes the bend, we then pick up the hindquarters with a whip and steal a step or two of half-pass. Sounds pretty easy, but requires some finesse and repetition to get it right.

Relax and Breathe

In the last issue, we had progressed to the start of riding. Now we are back on the ground. The reason for this is that we should mix it up. Get the horse to accept basics in very short sessions with you on its back, then get off and practice some of the more advanced progressions from the ground. Stop and take short breaks, making sure you have taken all the pressure away from your horse. Relax and breathe.

As we become more focused on a task, we tend to let negative tension or energy creep up in our bodies and our posture tends to get the horse more anxious. Every time the horse makes a try for us, we have to think of relaxing and taking pressure off. Otherwise, the horse will find it difficult to understand he has made a good guess.

Playing with your horse in a less restrictive manner like this tends to allow him to give you a freer expression of all his movements. Yes, it is more challenging, but it is so worth it. Tread slowly and enjoy the journey. Playing with your horse and developing your lead is never boring.