Spanish Traditions of the Doma Vaquera - Part 2

Using the garrocha to develop your horsemanship
by Alice Trindle

Many of you who have been following my articles in The Northwest Horse Source over the years have come to realize that I am enamored of the Andalusian horse and the traditions of the Doma Vaquera. I have had the good fortune to work with Encantador, a beautiful PRE stallion that lives in Halfway, Oregon; to meet such fine aspiring horsemen as Ami McHugh and her amazing Andalusian stallions; and I have had inspirational conversations with Bettina Drummond about this incredible breed. In all, I have come to realize that I have only scratched the surface of the knowledge to be gained from the Spanish and the Pure Raza Espanol – the Andalusian.

This month I’d like to discuss the use of the garrocha, a 13-foot bullfighting pole, to help all of us with our horsemanship skills. I am by no means an expert regarding the Doma Vaquera traditions, nor their applications. However, I have enjoyed the positive effects of their influence on my horsemanship skills and the fun of trying new things with all of my horses and clients. Seeing six women flowing around a circle, riding Quarter Horses or warmbloods and balancing garrochas on their shoulders is quite a sight! This is perhaps a picture that would turn the stomach of a true garrochista. However, I have found in this ancient art form a wonderful instrument to improve everyone’s horsemanship. No disrespect is intended toward the culture of the Pure Raza Espanol, the art form of using the garrocha, or this amazing source of Spanish horsemanship pride, in suggesting we can use the garrocha to assist all riders in their horsemanship skills.

The traditional garrocha is like a spear or lance, with a metal point on the end. The working Spanish cowboy, or Doma Vaquera, would have used the pole to fend off cattle or as a method of testing the temperament of bulls by pushing on the hip to eventually trip the bull. Today, these traditions are preformed in a beautiful dance (no bull!), using Spanish guitar music, where the horse and rider gracefully flex and canter around and under the garrocha.

Why Use the Garrocha?
Below you’ll find the major horsemanship elements that I have found have improved when using the garrocha.

(Note: The pole we have been practicing with is a 1.75-inch hand rail approximately 13 feet long. You are seeking a pole that is not too flexible and around which you can easily place your hand. A little linseed oil makes for an easy slide without slivers.)

Posture & Focus: Since the pole is always held in your right hand, it requires that you sit up straight in the saddle with shoulders, hips and legs correctly positioned to influence the horse. It seems remarkable that a simple 13-foot pole, placed in your right hand or resting on your right shoulder, could so easily affect how you sit in the saddle, but it does. In addition, use of the garrocha directly influences your ability to focus, which of course influences your posture. Looking where you want to go, around or under the pole, and then visualizing the maneuver will become second nature when you add the element of the garrocha to your routine.

Rhythm & Timing: The master horsemen of old and current times will concur on the importance of rhythm as we develop our horses. The ability to ride a perfect circle with consistent rhythm is perhaps one of the most difficult exercises to achieve. By placing the point of the garrocha on the ground and riding forward around it in a circle, you quickly recognize if your horse’s shoulders are falling in or hips are casting out. Then, when you add elements such as a turn on center or canter pirouette under the garrocha, you definitely begin to recognize the need for timing, multi-tasking your aids, rhythm and focus.

Balance & Use of Aids: Intimately related to good posture, the garrocha requires you to develop an understanding of your balance and pressure aids so you can stay out of the horse's way and yet influence his positive balance. Again, it is amazing that a simple little pole could assist us in easily understanding the balance and aids needed to accomplish maneuvers such as half-pass or leg-yield, but it will! With the pole in your hand, you will quickly see and feel common mistakes, such as using your seat to push the horse sideways. By straightening up and sitting or balancing in the direction you want the horse to move sideways, you maintain an open angle with the pole, inviting the horse to move under your balance.

Confidence & Fun: This may be the biggest benefit. It takes confidence in both horse and rider to work with a 13-foot pole! Riding around, under, away from, and carrying the pole is not easy and more than a little intimidating at first. However, it is amazing how quickly both horse and rider take to the maneuvers. Add a little Spanish guitar music, and even a simple circle at the walk with the garrocha becomes a dance!

Don't stop here, there's more online! See our digital edition for the rest of this article, including strategies for working with the garrocha and further references.