While reading Debbie McDonalds’ book, Riding Through…I found many insightful, helpful tips to help solve many a riding problem. I was, and continue at this time, to be working on developing a huge cross over while doing half pass. Debbie reminded that “half pass is just haunches in on a diagonal line. Work on controlling the shoulders on that diagonal line and use your inside leg to encourage the horse to step forward.”
Here is a real jewel from Debbie….”Keep in mind that the most important job for you is to keep your horse happy in his work and to develop a relationship that will last!”
Max Gahwyler included in his book, The Competitive Edge II: Moving up the Levels, a table which makes a little clearer that a major change is happening at, approximately, between Second and Third Levels.
Young Rider, First or Second Level:
1. Reins
2. voice
3. Heels, legs, spur
4. Whip, seat, weight, balance
Advanced Rider, Third Level and Up
1. Seat, balance, weight, center of gravity
2. Legs
3. Reins
4. Spur and whips
Mr. Gahwyler made it very clear that “It is essential to use the same aids in the early training of the horse so as never to confuse him”.
FLYING CHANGES, ARE THEY REALLY THAT DIFFICULT?? When considering teaching flying changes: You must first have your horse extremely sensitive to your aids. Flying changes initiate from you seat/weight aids. If you are not secure in your seat position in trot and canter, I highly suggest you make THAT your priority before attempting to train your horse flying changes. Your horse must be able to make tranisitions in its gaits off your seat/weight aids, ie; medium canter/working canter/collected canter. Clean, clear walk, canter transitions and correct counter canter are absolutely your best friend before training flying changes. Start with 5 walk steps then canter and gradually reduce the walk steps before the canter transitions. You must be able to change the flexion and then change your position to ask for the new canter depart and then eventually the new lead change. Do not leave the haunches out when asking for the new lead change. Debbie McDonald stated that she thinks about a set of train tracks while she is doing her tempi tour. This keeps her riding her horse straight. Training the pirouettes before the flying changes can also really help. You must have great influence on your horses’ canter to keep it coming in place as you make the turn and then, be able to get out of the turn! If you have that kind of control of the canter, the flying changes become very easy to train.