Icelandics, gaited riding and Losgelassenheit

I saw an interesting article in German about a gaited dressage kuer in Iceland:
Vorhand frisst Losgelassenheit (published in the Iceland Review On Line Magazine)

There are several interesting points:

• The title of the article "Vorhand frisst Losgelassenheit" implies that the high forehand action so prized in Icelandic horses works against, indeed kills, a horse's ability to be light and responsive. 
• The fact that many competition horses are ridden with high head and tight reins is mentioned. A competition rider is quoted as saying that any training that does NOT ask for action and speed will be counterproductive to competition, implying that any other form of riding will ruin a horse as a sports prospect. This view appears not uncommon. Dressage training is often referred to as "Kringelreiten", which is a slightly negative way of saying riding in circles.
• Despite this, the dressage competition is gaining in popularity, though it is considered by many to be a "women's event".
• The author expresses the view that the riding and horses on display have improved since the competition began some years ago, now focussing on better riding rather than just speed. 
• The article mentions an Icelanding trainer whose DVDs I have seen myself, and who struck me as being very classical in his approach. He also had the nicest seat and most diplomatic hands of all the riders in that video.
• The author suggests that a horse made supple through correct exercises and ridden in Losgelassenheit (light in the bridle, responsive, calm), better Toelt can be achieved. The common way of asking for speed and action by way of restricting the horse and using strong seat, leg and rein aids is much less suited for producing good toelters who are also responsive and useful for other disciplines.

Coincidentally, we watched an Icelandic video yesterday, and many of the points mentioned about competition horses and the type of riding used were clear to see. But we also saw a more enlightened trainer at work, who used dressage to make his gaited horses more beautiful and happy.

a crocodile reformed

The crocodile horse from the last post has come a long way. Not only is the mare going under saddle now, but there is no further danger to life and limbs when in her vicinity.

Polite lips!

In fact, it is safe to touch her mouth, even tickle her lips, or just hold the fingers there. She sometimes carefully feels for the tips of the fingers, but no teeth, and very, very polite.

She has graduated successfully from crocodile-training :-)

clicks and crocodiles

After another training session, and observing the antics of one of the horses we have in work, I suggested that Yvonne write an article about using food rewards in training, specifically clicker training. She obligingly put the following article together. Enjoy!

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When Chris and I (Yvonne) start horses together, there is always Clicker Training involved, as this method (positive reinforcement, using a marker signal, i.e. a click, followed by a small treat) allows the human trainer to tell the horse what he wants in a very clear language: as soon as the horse does something the human was looking for, this precise moment gets highlighted by a click, followed by a small food treat. The horse immediately processes the information and is very likely to eagerly and happily repeat the reinforced behaviour in the following.

Most horses catch on very quickly, and often need just one or two repetitions to understand what is asked from them. It is also a very stress-free method, especially when the tasks are broken down into small steps, thus giving the equine student lots and lots of little successes.

But I was not going into depth with the clicker philosophy, there are other people who have done this very well before...

As there is food involved, I can hear an almost unisono cry from horse owners and trainers: you will create a monster, a pushy, rough, rude, impolite horse that walks all over his human.



Well, not at all, indeed! When done correctly, i.e. when the trainer sets clear criteria, the horse, on the contrary, learns very quickly to respect the human space, and you will be able to stand with your open treat pouch inches from his nose and he won't even try to help himself! Usually the introductory process takes only one short session: with a few repetitions, the horse is introduced to the click, followed by the treat, then very quickly learns to keep his head away from the trainer.

How do we do this? Easy: when the horse starts to mug you (and every horse will do this in the beginning), immediately close your fist over the treat, fold your hands in neutral position over your belly button and wait. If the horse is very persistent, slightly turn away your upper body, with your hands still in neutral position. Now watch your horse closely: as soon as you see him make the tiniest attempt to turn his head away, immediately say "good boy" (if you had already clicked, you don't want to do it again) and hand him his treat. For feeding technique, extend your arm (away from your body, to the exact spot your want his head), rotate it, so the palm faces upwards, open your hand and let him take the treat. Bingo! The horse has understood the rules and will in general follow them from now on. He might need a little reminder here and there, but as long as you stay consistent, you will have a polite horse.

But... from time to time there is one who isn't so easy-going. We call this type of horse "crocodile", because he grabs at your hand very vigourously, so you have the impression that he will swallow your whole hand, including your arm up to the elbow!

With these horses, you have to be extra-precise and persistent. You might only make relatively small progress during the first session, like it is the case here for this young Icelandic mare who came to us for training.



In such a case, don't force it, just wait for a slightly positive moment, then end the session on it. There is always another day. In the case of this little mare, she had indeed processed the information overnight and was worlds better the next day. Much more softness in taking the treat and lots of turning her head away or lowering her head or backing a step (all behaviours we want to encourage).

But, really, the crocodiles are the exception. Normally it works this way, and very quickly:

Big Al - Paso Creole gelding

Once you have introduced your horse to clicker training, you can use it for any part of your training, be it fun stuff, like trick training, be it groundwork, or riding. And for riding, all parts and variations of it. But that's another story...

Chris and I use clicker training to highlight each desired moment during the starting under saddle process, which makes things very fast and easy. In the beginning, I do the clicking and treating from the ground, while Chris sits on the young horse for the first time, then she takes over and clicks the moments she likes, and the horse gets his treat from me. All this is a lot of fun for all involved, including the horse!

handling foals

It has been a couple of years since we had any foals at Narrawin. But this year, we do :-)

So I've been working with young Gracie (Graciela NS) since yesterday. Keeping it all nice and slow and friendly and doing my best to spare her too much stress. It is nice to see her progress and after wearing a halter for only the second time today, she was just starting to turn her head and make a few steps in response to my request.

As with all my horse training, I'm seeking to find ways to make it easier for the horses and keep it relaxed and as playful as possible. Of course, especially with a foal, there are moments of fright, unless it is one of those naturally boisterous and outgoing foals we occasionally see. The more timid ones simply need to be given more time and reassurance. In the very early stages it is often necessary to restrain them a bit and let them get used to the touch, sound and smell of a person.

Graciela's second experience with people - photo by Yvonne Lehey

I've found that the best way is to maneuver the mare such that the foal is between her and the wall. That way the mare is close but I can get my arms around the foal. The most tricky bit are the little hard hooves :-)

A few very brief sessions of that, including rubbing the head to desensitise the foal in preparation for the halter, and then haltering isn't much of a problem. If they are ok with being touched on the back, neck and bum, they can be guided and helped once the lead is attached. It's generally better to attach the lead to the side rather than the bottom ring, but it still requires a lot of diplomacy and experience to avoid and manage mini panic attacks. It is surprising though how quickly a foal learns to cope with all these totally alien concepts.

The idea of yielding to pressure does not appear to be built into foals, which is why they tend to panic when they bump into something that won't yield. A good example: when I moved the mares a few days ago, the filly bounced into the electric braid. Instead of backing out, she tried to escape by running at it harder, until it broke. The same can be felt when handling foals for the first few times. They just don't know how to deal with it. So it is really important to introduce the handling and leading carefully and thoroughly, as it provides the basis of vital understanding of the world the little horse has to live in. It also lays the foundations for all later education.

Trisha Wren Connected Riding clinic at Dereel

We were lucky to have Trisha over for another clinic in November, this time at Yvonne's place. While the weather was somewhat unkind, being unseasonally cold and wet, we managed ok and all had a great time.

Unlike last time, we mainly had local participants this time. But same as for the last clinic, we loaned some of our horses out, and Samba and Carlotta were on duty. I took Flamenca this time, while Yvonne worked with her new mare Bjoska NS.

Following the clinic, I had the opportunity to have a private session with Trisha. I asked her for some help in how to adjust some of my seat and balance aids, so that the cues I use to ask for gait can be more subtle and more in line with the Connected Riding posture. Yvonne took some video clips.

Trisha making postural adjustments - Yvonne

Camarguesa

I love baroque style saddles. Here is another recent acquisition, a Camarguesa (by Zaldi). I've always fancied one of these, and recently the opportunity came up. So I grabbed it.

Doesn't it look nice on a Paso Fino ???

This is Rev (Reverende de United (Imp.USA), Paso Fino stallion standing at Narrawin Stud), modelling the saddle, just before we went out on a jolly jaunt. He reminds me of a knight's charger in this picture :-)

Rollkur

A brilliant blog post about Anky by Erica Franz.