When Less Is More in Horse Training



The basic techniques, or what they call basics, are more difficult than what comes later – this is the trap of dressage. Correct basics are more difficult than the piaffe and passage. Conrad Schumacher


I know that Hafl is already capable of some upper level movements – actually, I find him pretty excited when trying something completely new and more difficult than he is already capable of. It is good to have a horse that is so easy to motivate, still, you should not ask too much when it is not necessary yet.

Checking for some higher level movements is ok but always come back to the basics and the movements for the level you are actually riding/competing on. Spending some time on something new is good to see whether basics are working out but in fact, if you start to encounter problems at these movements you do not actually need right now, the only thing you will face is de-motivation.

Do not exploit the capabilities to their full extend too early. Leave an upper movement at an early stage when you have the feeling that the horse has understood the general functionality of the aids and the aim of the movement. Then keep on working on the basics to get them steadier such that you can come back to the more advanced movements whenever appropriate.

It fascinates me that Hafl is capable of things that I was not even dreaming of as soon as the basic work is done properly.


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