It is very important to perform all exercises that require energy and expression in a very calm way. I always start with calming the horse, and only when this is achieved, I very calmly and easily explain to my horse what we will do.
We do it step by step and we take the time needed for him to cognitively understand what is required of his own body. I invite my horse to play with the concept I explained and to invent his own way of achieving this. But the base of all our actions is always CALMNESS.
So I never do this kind of exercises when my horse becomes excited. I don’t want the excitement to be a part of my horse’s picture. We never need excitement with horses. What we need is calmness, relaxation and focused light and happy energy. So whenever my horse is excited – I calm him down. And I start again.
This exercise shows that expression DOES NOT NEED excitement.
And this way we can achieve all advanced dressage movements with a very calm and relaxed horse. With a horse that is focused and with you.
Let your horse feel proud, let your horse feel majestic, strong and kingly again. But never excite him, never unbalance his emotions.
Never trade calmness for shortcuts and fast training results.
