Does the horse train the rider or does the rider train the horse? In good dressage, training occurs in both directions. What is training? It is not the things done but the process of two minds converging on one moment in time. The objects of training (actual behavior) are of less importance to the educated trainer. The moment extends itself as training progresses and is sustained by the cultivation of the ability to prolong the attention span. The intimate exchange to and from, and from and to, forms a sphere of awareness, self supporting and self sustained. It is a closing of a loop. Whether for good or ill the training solidifies itself. In calm and a certain confidence, mutual pleasure arises. It mutual pleasure and brings joy into life. This is called good training. When done from fear or aggression, it is not pleasure but anxious and self destructive. Sometimes this is not obvious in the short term but the long term effect blocks the life force. This is called bad training. The object of all training is the mind which is the cause, behavior is the effect. The mind will move before the behavior occurs. Training what occurs before behavior manifests are called the preliminaries. What are called basics in dressage is what one needs to cultivate or work with the preliminaries. Study the preliminaries in yourself, if you can, before you train them in the horse. Without basics, this is not possible. This is the skill and road to mastery in dressage.
Posted on: Wed, 28 Aug 2013 10:27:48 +0000