The Training Pyramid - Contact - What it is and how it is achieved
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| Ron Postleb - Crown Dressage International |
Contact is the connection between the rider’s hand and the horse’s mouth. This connection should remain soft and elastic, yet steady. Contact is derived from pushing the horse from behind onto the aid, not merely being “on the bit.” It is not done by using the hands and body to pull the horse onto the bit, but rather, it is the horse accepting the rider’s hand, seat and leg aids. The hands should remain soft and follow the natural movement of the horse’s head. If done correctly, the horse will step well so that the rider feels the “spring” in his steps.
So what does good contact look like?
The horse that demonstrates good contact will appear to be rounded, the poll is the highest point, the mouth and jaw are relaxed and the horse’s nose is either vertical or slightly in front of the vertical. Hyper-flexion (aka - Rollkur) is not an acceptable level on contact. It is imperative that the horse, not the rider, make the contact.
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Hyperflexion (AKA - Rollkur) - Nose well beyond the verical, poll is not the highest point. |
How do we achieve “good contact?”
In order for the horse to maintain good contact, the rider must be riding correctly. He must be sitting correctly with elastic arms. The elbows serve as hinges and should allow the hands move in time with the horse’s head. At the walk and
canter, the hands should move forward and back in time with the up and down movement of the horse’s head. In the trot, the horse’s head remains steady. The rider’s hand should also remain steady. In the rising trot, the elbows serve as hinges allowing the rider to post while keeping the hands steady. The arms should be elastic enough to yield equal contact on both reins, preventing a loop in the reins.
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| Horse's ears are forward, nose slightly in front of vertical, poll is the highest point |
The horse’s position will change as he progresses in his training. The young or inexperienced horse will carry himself in a longer, lower frame than the experienced, older horse. The horse can only maintain good contact if he is adequately warmed up, relaxed and loose. His back serves as a bridge between the hindquarter and the bridle. Once the initial warm up is complete, the rider can ask for quality transitions between gaits. If the horse is performing these transitions well, he can progress to transitions within gaits. Signs that the horse is taking an elastic contact include chewing of the bit and a moist mouth. In essence, good contact is indicative of good riding and good training.
In The Moves -
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The Stretch Down Circle Defined
Also referred to as "long and low." The stretch down circle is a gradual lengthening of the reins, as far as the horse is willing and prepared to stretch, while maintaining contact, balance and rhythm.
How to Execute the Trot
Start in working trot - sitting or rising
Move the horse onto the 20-meter circle
Half halt and move into a more collected trot
Transition to back the working trot
Repeat transitions between collected trot and working trot until the horse feels relaxed and "on the aids"
Once the horse is "on the aids," transition into the working trot and gradually allow your hands to move forward and downward while also allowing the reins to slip through your fingers.
To complete this exercise either:
a) close the fingers and shorten the reins - or -
b) allow the horse to go onto the loose rein
Notes:
If you are performing in the rising trot, take a two-point like position and post lightly on the horses back. This encourages the horse to remain relaxed through the back.
This exercise can be performed in any gait.
The hands should move forward slightly, but contact should always remain.
Taking the reins forward frequently is more effective in achieving the desired result than leaving the horse "strung out" for too long.
The horse's mouth should not drop below his elbow and the nose should remain on the vertical or slightly in front of the vertical.
Previous training is most likely correct if the horse maintains his rhythm, chews the bit softly and stretches forward and down obediently during this exercise. Good for you!!!
Purpose of the Trot
To develop the horse's confidence in accepting the bit and the rider's hands.
To develop balance.
To allow the horse to relax the back and neck after exertion.
To test self carriage.
To test the correctness of previous training with regard to rhythm, looseness and contact.
Common Errors in Execution
The horse loses rhythm.
The horse snatches the reins from the rider's hand due to tension in the neck and back.
The horse falls on the forehand and becomes unbalanced because he is lacking the musculature.
The rider does not increase his driving aids resulting in the horse loosing activeness behind.
The rider allows the reins to loop, thus losing contact.
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