Halfstep
Well-Known Member
I haven't read all this tread but there are some interesting nuggets here. My feeling is as follows (and this is dressage focused because that is what I do):
Firstly, dressage done properly is fooking hard, and you need to be fit and strong and have a lot of coordination. Many people don't want to put that sort of work in, or don't have the time to get that fit, so they are always riding at half power. As a trainer you can't force someone who physically can't, to do. So you make allowances, accept that they might only be able to get something 60% right but for them that is sufficient and what they are aiming for. You can sort of hope that maybe they will feel the potential for better and work harder over time. Or not.
Secondly, to learn how to ride properly you really do need to feel what it is like to ride a correctly trained horse. On the lunge, without reins or stirrups. But that is hard work too . But people get on a schoolmaster and expect to be able to ride it - often because they are uncoordinated they can't get it out of walk, or to canter without doing tempi changes, or to trot instead of piaffe......so they get frustrated and angry and accuse the trainer and horse....
Firstly, dressage done properly is fooking hard, and you need to be fit and strong and have a lot of coordination. Many people don't want to put that sort of work in, or don't have the time to get that fit, so they are always riding at half power. As a trainer you can't force someone who physically can't, to do. So you make allowances, accept that they might only be able to get something 60% right but for them that is sufficient and what they are aiming for. You can sort of hope that maybe they will feel the potential for better and work harder over time. Or not.
Secondly, to learn how to ride properly you really do need to feel what it is like to ride a correctly trained horse. On the lunge, without reins or stirrups. But that is hard work too . But people get on a schoolmaster and expect to be able to ride it - often because they are uncoordinated they can't get it out of walk, or to canter without doing tempi changes, or to trot instead of piaffe......so they get frustrated and angry and accuse the trainer and horse....