WESTERN DRESSAGE:
LEARNING THE DRESSAGE TRAINING PYRAMID
The Dressage Training Pyramid is a
wonderful guideline for the natural
training of a horse. We must not forget
that dressage is a French word that
means “training.” The pyramid is the
guideline to which we refer as we
develop our horse’s body in order to
advance his training through correct
collection. The Dressage Pyramid is also
our guideline for the physical conditioning
of our horses through progressive
development. Obedience is achieved
with “increasing thoroughness” when
using the pyramid. Thoroughness is simply
riding the horse from “back to front,”
thereby connecting the legs aids to the
hand aids, or, in other words, the horse’s
hind legs to his mouth.
Let’s take a look at each step of the
Dressage Training Pyramid:
1. Rhythm
2. Relaxation
3. Connection
4. Impulsion
5. Straightness
6. Collection
Rhythm describes the horse’s gait.
Rhythm is the energy and tempo in each
gait and the speed within the gait. You
must achieve control of your horse’s
rhythm because without it, you will lose
the connection from the horse’s hind legs
to his mouth.
Relaxation is the elasticity and
suppleness throughout the body of the
horse at work. When a horse is relaxed
he is confident, accepts the aids, and is
willing. Relaxation always tells me that my
horse is supple in his muscles throughout
the body, especially in his neck and back.
When relaxed, the hind legs swing under
the horse with power and allow him to
show a natural self-carriage.
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EQUINE Training & Showing
One of the best things about
dressage is that it builds upon
itself and every step is based upon
a training pyramid. When you
understand all the “building blocks”
in this pyramid, you increase your
ability to achieve your goals.
Connection is the
acceptance of the bit
through the acceptance
of the aids. This is when
the horse responds to the
leg and rein aids when
cues are given. The rider
can control the horse’s
body alignment and
his frame. When horse
and rider have a good
connection, the horse
will reach for the bit and
round his spine correctly.
The horse will bear more
weight on the hind legs,
bring the back up and
break at the poll correctly.
Impulsion is the next
step of development.
Impulsion is when a horse
will increase energy
and thrust from the
hindquarters and legs to
propel himself forward.
This development is
necessary for the horse to bear more weight on the hind legs and lighten
the forehand in order to collect his body. A horse that continues to be
encouraged to bear more weight on the hind legs will engage his legs
deeper under the body, thus having more energy and impulsion for
self carriage, balance. He will also have more ability to do advanced
movements, such as lengthening the trot and canter. More bend
from the horse’s body, lateral training, and lead changes cannot be
accomplished without impulsion.
Straightness is a necessity for the horse to be balanced. Correct
balance from the horse cannot be achieved without straightness.
Controlling your horse’s body alignment through your leg and rein aids
is how you will accomplish ideal straightness and balance in your horse.
To transition your horse’s frame from long and low in training level, to
developing an uphill balance and self-carriage frame in first level, you
must have straightness in order for the horse to collect his frame.
Collection is what we all want to achieve with our horses. Collection
is accomplished by strengthening the horse’s muscles and uphill
carriage. The formula of “rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion,
and straightness” is the only way you can achieve correct collection.
Collection is increased engagement, lightness on the forehand and
correct self-carriage.
The most important formula to the pyramid of training is TIME. It
takes time to develop the horse’s confidence and understanding. It
is important that you take the time to become a correct rider for your
horse. You should never blame the horse; only improve what you are
doing to achieve positive results from your horse.
You need time to learn and teach your horse the training levels. Take
the time to understand that your horse will tell you when he is ready to
move to more advanced maneuvers by responding with positive results.
Time is the only formula that can be used to develop the horse’s strength
so he can carry himself correctly and with collection.
by Lynn Palm
Palm Partnership Training™
Building a Partnership with your Horse
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