Riding Basics - Rhythm

Rhythm is the foundation of control and balance under saddle.

Rhythm is the ability of the horse to maintain a given speed, like cruise control in a car.
The horse should stay in a given rhythm until the rider gives an aid/cue to change the rythm.

Rhythm needs to be become self- maintained by the horse. Without needing constant nagging or reminding by the rider to speed up or slow down. Rhythm can then be maintained for longer durations.

Ryhthm is established by training the horse to respond immediately and lightly from pressure cues to: Go forwards, Backwards, Stop, Flex and Yield the Hindquarters.

Neutral is when the horse flexes its neck so that its nose is around near its ribs.
Teaching the horse to stop in nuetral with one rein, will help develop rhythm and suppleness.It also is vital in being able to disengage the horses hindquarters.The ability to yeild the horses hindquarters, keeps us safe on the horse.

When we first ask the horse to stop, we first stop riding and let all our energy out, then we pick up a feel on one rein, asking the horse to bring its nose around towards us. We then hold the horses head there until it stands still and relaxes, we could also rub the horses face and eye with one hand.

When lateral flexion can be achieved at a stand still, we then progress to teaching the horse to yield its hindquarters in response to a light pressure cue.

To ask for the hindquarters to yield, first bring the horses head around into neutral. Then plant your fist with the rein in it on your thigh, so that if the horse tries to straighten its neck out, the rein will keep the horse in flexion.
With the horses head in neutral, slide your leg back about three inches, on the side to which the horses head is bent.

Begin to apply light pressure with your whole leg pressing in towards the horses ribs.Increase the pressure in your leg, eventually bump the horses side firmer and firmer with your leg. As soon as the horse moves its hind quarters away from your leg, release the pressure and click/treat. Try to remember to keep the horses neck flexed, until after the horse has yielded its hindquarters and is standing still again. The release the rein nd let the horse straighten its neck out.

You can then progress to riding short periods forwards in walk, flexing the horse into neutral to a halt. Repeat this many times progressing to repeating it a trot and canter also.

Try to leave the reins farily loose when going forwards, picking up on one rein any time the horse gets tense or goes faster. Flex the horse to a halt. Remember to practice this on both reins.

The horse will start to develop rhythm, because you leave it alone every time it is going forwards with rhythm, and you pick up one rein and flex it to a halt every time it goes faster.

You can then progress to yielding the hindquarters a step or two after making a one rein halt.
Eventually even moving the hindquaters 180 degrees after making a one rein halt.
Repeat many times on beth sides of the horse.
Straight down transitions and reinbacks can then be trained in response to even pressure on two reins.

Straight down transitions are first always to halt and are often followed by a rein back if the horse has strong forward inclination, or is leaning on the bridle..
This must always be balanced with the training of forward responses from an immediate and light cue. Light squeeze from two legs, tall posture and energy forward with focus.

Repetition of transitions results in the horse developing many memories of correct responses to cues. This then increases the horses tendency to respond correctly to cues/aids for transitions.

This results in the horse becoming calmer, as it is becomes more confident in its ability to relieve itself of pressure cues. This also eliminates conflict behavavior, tension and resisitance.

The horse never knows what pace it will do next and so it positions its body in a way that allows it to move in any direction with impulsion. This is similar to the crouching stance martial artists use. A position from which the most athletic movements can be performed.The horse is then most able to turn to face in any given direction with speed and balance.

Rhythm results in the horse becoming balanced. A balanced horse rounds its back, lengthens its topline (neck and back) arching its back upwards to support the heavy skeleton of the horse in an efficient and balanced way.

The horses hind legs come further under the horses body closer to its centre of gravity.They carry more of the load of the forquarters. This allows the horses shoulders to elevate, and the centre of gravity is moved from just behind the withers, to more over the hindlegs.

Transitions are first trained between paces -e.g: halt/walk, walk/trot, trot/halt, halt/reinback, trot/halt...

Transitions can then be trained within paces -e.g: slow- trot, fast-trot...
We then progress to the training of length and height of strides for collection and extension.