Do people know and work with the skala (der ausbildung)?

Dutch_Rider

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As a Dutch horse rider (mostly dressage) I am familiar with the principals of the Skala der Ausbildung. Not only for dressage, but for riding in general, because I learned (and think) that dressage is the basis of horse riding. Even if you are into eventing or show jumping.

It surprised me that people in the UK (where I live now) are less or not familiar with the principals.

On http://www.classicaldressage.co.uk/Training_Scales/training_scales.html you can find the explanation in English, but it's from origin a German concept.

You have 6 key aspects (click on the link for the explanation of the aspects:

  • relaxation (losgelassenheit)
  • rythm (takt)
  • contact (anlehnung)
  • impulsion (schwung)
  • straightness (geraderichtung)
  • collection (versammlung)

Those aspects are used in the 3 phases of training.

  • Phase 1:
The horse is rediscovering balance with a rider. The most important aspects are relaxation and rhythm.

  • Phase 2:
This phase works on the development of thrust from the hindquarter. The important key aspects are contact and impulsion.

  • Phase 3:
In this phase it's about the carrying power of the hind legs. The key aspects are straightness and collection.

I am curious if the people on this forum know this concept and if they use it. And if they don't know it, I would like to know if you think you will/can/might use it.
 
As Dianchi say we call it the training scales or pyramid and it was central to my training.
And I constantly have it in my mind when I am working.
I was taught rhytmn at the bottom ofthe scale them suppleness/ relaxation the difference there is I think about translation .
 
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So it is known in the UK. Don't seems like everybody is using it. I see a lot of people riding with a strong hand and without the basics of the scala.

@goldenstar It is a matter of translation. I am Dutch myself, but even the Dutch translation isn't perfect. The German names are still the best to discribe what they mean.
 
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