Training in the Right Way: Quick Fixes and Light Switches
Let’s talk about why you’re more likely to run into Big Foot at Starbucks than find any magical training tactics that produce instant results.
Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.
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Frequently, when I am meeting a new student, they will express that there is a particular problem that they want help with. This is totally reasonable, but what is problematic is that often, even when these riders are very well-intentioned and may have a fair amount of education, they still believe that they will get “the answer” in one lesson. Or that whatever their training issue is, they just need a quick fix.
Mostly, they are hoping for that one elusive technique or skill that works instantly to change or fix whatever their specific issue is. You know, the magic aid that works like a light switch, just as long as the rider does “the right thing.”
This is unrealistic, unfortunately. While progress can certainly be made in one lesson, it is never a “one ride solution.” All training is a process involving repetition, with minor adjustments, over many days (weeks, months, years).
The image of the polished FEI horse is the product of many years of careful, intentional repetition of exercises that produce strength and suppleness. Flair and Gwyneth warming up for the Intermediarie 2 National Finals, Lexington, KY. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson
Something key to keep in mind is that the process of training is simply repetition over time. The challenge is controlling what you are repeating (and being diligently mindful AND disciplined about it). Quite often riders understand that they need to change the way the horse performs an action or exercise. The issue is that they do not have the technique that will work to change it. When seeking advice, they rely on the instructor or clinician to give them the key for success. What they don’t consider is that the success is in the days after the lesson, not just in that one ride. This is one reason why it is actually much more productive to work with a trainer daily, rather than intermittently. The trainer will know how and when to tweak or adjust the approach to keep the progress moving forward.
Of course, not everyone can train with their trainer on a daily basis. In this case it is even more necessary that they understand that the horse is not going to “just do it right” if they repeat the exercise, or aid, or technique that they learned to deal with the issue while in their lesson.
Instead, the rider must recognize that each day requires a re-establishment of the expectations through repeating the sequence of exercises that produce the effect. And then the horse will hopefully improve a little more than what they achieved the day before in subsequent days, during which the rider will ultimately need to begin modifying. In other words, training is not based on the horse simply understanding that he is now supposed to perform a certain way, it is based on conditioning his body and mind so that he CAN perform the exercise effectively, and then further modifying and building on that.
Success then occurs because he is able to reproduce the movement (exercise) from the rider’s aids, well-enough that his muscles become stronger and more supple, and his balance improves, and then doing the thing (whatever that happens to be) becomes easier and simply what he does. The horse gets trained by practicing the right things in a way that continues to develop his body so that he feels confident in both his ability to perform the movement and in the rider’s aids for said movement.
Dio learning canter pirouette. The process of developing an exercise starts with an easier version of the exercise repeated daily until the strength and balance is great enough to produce the finished product. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson
In a similar vein, we must also understand that a horse can only change as quickly as his muscles can become stronger and more supple. The horse’s “understanding” is limited to learning the response that is required of him. He won’t ever be able to “understand” and reproduce an exercise without the right aids and being ridden in balance.
Which brings us back to the critical idea that training is a process – both the horse’s mind and body must be systemically developed for progress to be made. Because they are not capable of understanding abstract thoughts and concepts, we cannot assume that they understand things in the ways that we do; that is, you cannot explain something to them and then have them repeat it based on that knowledge. Training your horse involves continual adjustment to their physical being so that they are capable of, and confident in, doing what’s asked. And it is for this very reason that there aren’t any light switch training fixes (and if someone is telling you otherwise, you might want to question their knowledge base).
And remember: limited knowledge is limited judgment.
Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.
Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage. She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.
In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.
In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.
Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.
