The seventh in a series of guest blog posts from Michelle Binder
Before we learn to read we must learn the ABC’s. William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (1593-1676) suggested an analogy between the education of a child and horse trainers who made unrealistic demands on young horses. Centuries ago he asked, ‘I would fain ask such stupid people, whether, by beating a boy, they could teach him to read, without first showing him his alphabet?’1 Systematic progressive training is not a new concept and can be applied to many disciplines we endeavour to learn. Once we learn to read, over time, our vocabulary develops and we have greater comprehension of what we are reading. In the same way, we can say that as training progresses over time our horses have a greater understanding of what we are asking as they also gain the physical development required to produce what we are asking for.
The idea for the Pyramid of Training, or training scale, was included in the official German training manual after World War II. It was intended as a written progression of steps to be taken in schooling the dressage horse from beginning to end. Actually, when applied, progressive training enhances a horse's physical development, improves its mental understanding of what is being asked of it, and develops the relationship between horse and rider. These things are important in any riding style or discipline. A progressive training model can be applied to any horse whose work requires athleticism, and should be understood by riders and trainers as the bodybuilding developmental phases a horse must go through in order to perform at a higher and higher level of work.
Progressive training models themselves have changed and developed over time and are reflective of the importance that is placed on certain qualities deemed necessary to produce the “finished” horse. North American Western Dressage advocates the adoption of a classical pyramid that begins with relaxation as the foundation of western dressage training. In so doing, NAWD proposes that relaxation of the body combined with a willing attitude and alert mind is the most critical element necessary to develop the western dressage horse. As the foundation of training, relaxation then must continue to be present as the horses training and development bring it upward and forward toward collection as the height of training. NAWD tests have been written to reflect progressive training and development and the rulebook has been written to safeguard horses as they are brought through the six levels of training. For example, NAWD has introduced bit regulations that begin with the young horse in the snaffle or bosal and two hands through the finished bridle horse ridden with one hand in a curb bit.
There is tremendous value in riding the tests or at least in being familiar with the movements called for in the tests. Progressive training models are designed to get horses from a specific beginning point to a specific end point, and the levels build on one another. The test objectives outline the expectations for work at each level and the objectives within the test itself tell the rider what qualities should be present in the horse’s work as he performs the movements. The test progression is a convenient textbook for how to take a western dressage horse through its training. Because the movements build on one another, it is very easy to see how critical the beginning levels are. As the tests advance, they become more difficult. If the rider is very careful about how each figure is ridden and pays attention to how the figures flow together, the progressive training system outlined in the tests becomes a roadmap or pathway that gives step by step instructions for training from Foundation through Harmony and beyond!
For more information about North American Western Dressage, to read articles, participate in forum discussions, see the tests through Level 6, or start your free basic membership visit: http://www.northamericanwesterndressage.com, and join them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/NorthAmericanWesternDressage.
2012 NAWD Western Dressage Levels
Level 1: Foundation
Definition: A horse with a quality foundation demonstrates a willing partnership with the rider, a confident attitude and expression and looseness and relaxation throughout the body. The rider encourages the horse to move freely forward in a steady tempo and rhythm with an independent seat and soft contact. Snaffle bit.
Movements: FREE WALK, MEDIUM WALK, WORKING JOG/TROT, 20m. (66’) CIRCLE, HALT THROUGH MEDIUM WALK . Trot may be ridden sitting or rising
Level 2: Communication
Definition: Quality communication is demonstrated by the horse’s lack of resistance to clear, subtle and effective aids from the rider and a confident expression. As communication improves, the horse is able to show greater balance and straightness in elementary movements. Snaffle bit.
New Movements: WORKING LOPE/CANTER, STRETCHING CIRCLE AT JOG/TROT. Trot may be ridden sitting or rising
Level 3: Partnership
Definition: Partnership is developed as the connection between horse and rider improves. The rider encourages impulsion from the hind legs, through the back and to a soft contact with the bit. The horse responds to the
rider’s requests with enthusiasm, concentration, straightness and balance. Snaffle bit.
New Movements: 10m. ½ CIRCLES AT JOG/TROT, LENGTHEN STRIDE AT JOG/TROT AND LOPE/CANTER, 15m. CIRCLES AT LOPE/CANTER . Trot may be ridden sitting or rising
Level 4: Influence
Definition: The rider’s influence over the horse’s overall balance, straightness and degree of engagement is increased, creating a greater degree of suppleness, elasticity and self-carriage as required for more challenging lateral movements and development of the collected gaits. Snaffle bit
New Movements: COLLECTED TROT, COLLECTED CANTER, 10m. CIRCLE AT CANTER, MEDIUM TROT AND CANTER, SHOULDER-IN, COUNTER CANTER, GIVING THE INSIDE REIN ON A CIRCLE AND REIN BACK. All jog/trot work must be ridden sitting, unless specified
Level 5: Finesse
Definition: Communication between horse and rider has reached a greater level of finesse, with soft and subtle aids. The horse has achieved a greater degree of impulsion, self-carriage and straightness as required for improved balance and increased engagement and elasticity in the collected through extended gaits. Snaffle or curb bit.
New Movements: EXTENDED WALK, EXTENDED TROT, EXTENDED CANTER, HALF-PASS IN TROT, SINGLE FLYING CHANGE OF LEAD, REIN BACK, GIVING OF THE REIN AT CANTER. All jog/trot work must be ridden sitting.
Level 6: Harmony
Definition: Horse and rider perform in harmony with nearly imperceptible aids, showing an increased degree of balance, suppleness and self-carriage, a definite lightness of the forehand and increased engagement of the hindquarters. Snaffle or curb bit.
New Movements: COLLECTED WALK, VERY COLLECTED CANTER, 8m. PASSADE, SHOULDER-IN ON CENTERLINE, COUNTER CHANGE OF HAND IN TROT
1. quotation from Newcastle’s first manual of 1658 taken from the English translation Vol.1 of John Brindley’s A General System of Horsemanship (London: 1743). J. A. Allen reprint 2000: http://www.lrgaf.org/training/newcastle.htm
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Michelle Binder is the founder of the Relational Riding Academy. Relational Riding is a program that utilizes dressage as fundamental training for all horses performing in all disciplines. She has been an ARIA certified Instructor since 1989. She is currently working on her second book “Relational Riding: A Horsemanship Tutorial,” and has completed work on two professional video productions, “Any Horse, Any Rider: Relational Riding: A Universal Foundation” and "Understand Riding From the Ground Up."