Training A Young Horse Through The Levels

There are many reasons why equestrians decide to purchase a young horse. Some do it because they want the experience of training a horse themselves and enjoy the process, while others might end up with a young horse because of financial constraints that prevent them from purchasing a horse with more training. Whatever the case, it does not matter as long as you are ready to commit yourself to the journey, have passion for the young horse, and have experience either from your own background or others to provide the training tools needed to successfully give a young horse the foundation to grow and succeed in whichever discipline of riding you are pursuing.

A relationship with a horse from a young age to their senior years is possibly the best experience you can have as an equestrian:

Riding my eventing horse Hipius, who I purchased at 5 years old and trained through all the eventing levels

I personally have been on three journeys taking a young horse up the levels. The first experience was my first horse when I was a young rider in Pony Club. I purchased him at 4 years old and he taught me the ropes of how to deal with young horses while still learning to ride myself. The second experience was with my 3-day eventing horse who I purchased at 5 years old. I successfully competed with him up to the top levels in eventing over the course of eight years (who I still own to this day, is retired in pasture, and living the good life). The third experience is with my current dressage horse who I purchased at 4 years old at training level, and to date have him training at 4th level dressage at age 7. Each of these experiences have not only taught me valuable lessons on how to train a young horse, they have also helped me become a better rider. These three horses have taught me the valuable life lesson of perseverance, while testing me and my own dedication through many setbacks. The rewards of bringing a young horse through the levels, for me, have far outweighed the cons.

The baby years:

A photo when I first purchased my current dressage horse Iguazu at 4 years old

Just like raising a child, a young horse requires a lot of time, dedication, structure, love, and consistency, in order to give him the proper foundation to grow and give you the best odds of success in training. “The baby years”, as I like to call them, can sometimes be the hardest while also the most rewarding. A horse between the age of first saddle on their back through age 7 (maybe even longer depending on what age they started under saddle), are filled with many challenges. Like a child, a young horse is experiencing many things for the first time testing what they can get away with and learning what they are physically and mentally capable of. It is important that as their trainer/rider (or for my analogy of raising a kid “parental figure”), you have confidence when dealing with a young horse and don’t let them get away with bad behavior early on. It is important to take these years and go as slow as needed. One of the key mistakes is trying to rush to expose a young horse to too much too fast, both in the saddle and when handling them on the ground.

Strategies of training a young horse:

Me showing my horse Iguazu at his first dressage show at training level when he was 4 years old.

Ride young horses forward: It is so important to ride young horses forward! Many trainers say this should be the #1 focus when starting a horse under saddle as a forward horse is a much safer horse. The physical benefits of riding a horse forward builds up the correct muscles from the hind legs through the back. To set a young horse up for success it is so important that they have the strength and ability to move forward. Do not get forward riding confused with speed from impulsion.

Slowly introduce a young horse to bending: Once a young horse can move forward, it is time to include bending. Bending is so important as it gets the horse to soften around your leg, which will eventually lead to more softness in everything you do with the horse. I have found most success with my young horses in starting to teach them to bend by walking a small circle while bending my inside leg and softening my inside rein.

Be and stay in tune to a young horse: As I mentioned above, the biggest error that I have seen when training a young horse is rushing them. Some horses need extra time to even start under saddle while other horses are more gifted and can compete in the FEI Young Horse Tests. Listen and be aware how your horse responds to training and take it as slow as they need to.

Set boundaries on acceptable behavior: You are setting the ground rules for the rest of the horse’s riding career. Expect respectful behavior from your horse on the ground and under saddle from the very beginning of interacting with them. Examples can be their ground manners in the cross ties, standing still while mounting, or not getting mouthy with you while handling them. A young horse needs to learn quickly that you are in charge and trust you to guide them through their basic training.

Find a trainer that you connect with who has experience training younger horses: If you can, find a trainer whose training techniques and personality you agree with and relate to. Connect with them as a training partner and they will be of valuable assistance through your journey. Experienced trainers are seasoned and know how to deal with most problems you might encounter with a young horse. They can provide you with the benefit of their advise and experience, helping you through the challenging phases of working with a young horse.

Endless patience when you commit to training a young horse: An expression I often use when talking about training a young horse: four hooves forward, two hooves back. Some days you have to face up to your own insecurities as things do not go as you planned. Other days, you will feel amazing as you and your horse make progress. And, then there are dark days when you might feel like giving up and have no idea what you are doing. My best advise, try to focus on the progress and how you got there, even if it might be small.

Finding success - bringing a horse through the levels using the dressage pyramid of training:

When you are ready to start training your horse through the levels, I think the Dressage Pyramid of Training is the best model for dressage horses/riders which can also be applied to other disciplines. It was developed by the German cavalry and came into use in the 1950s. The Dressage Pyramid of Training is made up of six concepts—rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness and collection. Each of these steps can be developed at different stages depending on the horse, however, the scale is to be used as a reference for understanding the general progression and interactive development from the beginning of the training through assessment of how the training is progressing.

Dressage judges use the Pyramid of Training when evaluating the basics demonstrated in dressage tests. Experienced riders use it to make their rides more productive. Successful trainers use it to develop their horses in a harmonious and logical manner. All use it to solve problems. The Pyramid of Training can be used as a tool as part of your thinking when training a horse, and save a lot of time and frustration when bringing a young horse up the levels. Not knowing how to produce a confirmed horse is one of the most common reasons I see for riders getting stuck at one level for years on end.

Training process - six elements are divided into three overlapping training phases: 

USDF gold medalist, Bruno Greber explained in a article in Dressage Today about the training scale and how it is divided into three phases. https://dressagetoday.com/theory/origins-dressage-training-scale-bruno-greber

“Phase 1: Rhythm, relaxation and contact form the accustoming phase. In this part of the training, the horse is supposed to get accustomed to the rider and his aids. This phase is used for the warm-up in daily work.

Phase 2: Relaxation, contact, impulsion and straightness serve in the development of driving power (thrust) of the hind legs. In this phase, the horse is supposed to work more from behind and step diligently forward to the bit. This phase focuses on versatile gymnastic work to get a flexible and athletic horse.

Phase 3: Impulsion, straightness and collection aim to develop the carrying power of the hind legs. The horse is supposed to bear more weight over his hindquarters, which is mandatory for true collection and relative elevation. Both are necessary to reach higher goals in dressage training. Some older books mention elevation as a seventh element of the training scale. Since relative elevation (the head carriage and elevation of the withers are directly related to the degree of collection) is a direct consequence of correct collection, it is not considered in today’s version.”

Conclusion:

If you decide to take on the journey of training a young horse through the levels successfully, I would personally consider it getting your MBA in riding. Working diligently with a young horse is not for everyone, but you most likely will grow into a better rider, trainer, and maybe even better human being. It’s truly a journey of 10-20+ years that has it’s ups, downs, and all arounds. I feel, winning my first blue ribbons with those young horses that came into my life at the beginning of their training, were the most rewarding accomplishments of my equestrian life!

Coping With Covid As An Equestrian

COVID has taken it’s toll on everyone. The pandemic has challenged the world to find a new normal, and although there is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines being distributed, it looks like the world that we knew a year ago is not coming back anytime soon. For athletes we have had to find new strategies to continue to advance in our training, and the majority of us have suffered from setbacks due to the effects and restrictions of COVID.

The Challenges COVID Has Had On Equestrians

Training with Iguazu at our facility in California

As equestrians, we are lucky as for the most part our sport is considered an outdoor activity where social distancing is a lot easier to achieve than with other sports. However, like all other sports, equestrians have had to deal with cancelled competitions because they are considered to be events that bring people together, and limitations to access outside training like clinics which are a huge contributor to advancing our training. Equestrians are also suffering from the lack of community to bounce ideas off of and receive feedback. I keep my horse at a small training facility where we wear masks when we are not on horseback and are encouraged to not engage with other riders and to keep social distance as soon as we dismount. Equestrians, like all athletes, are also having a harder time keeping fit with gym and fitness facility closures that our so helpful with our riding positions which is essential to our training. These restrictions have led to my personal setbacks in working through the dressage levels, but I have found coping skills to be able to keep progressing during the pandemic (maybe not at the rate that I would like to, but we are all doing the best we can).

How to progress in your training during the pandemic:

Virtual Lessons and Recording Training Sessions

At my training facility, my trainer invested in auto-follow cameras to provide us with the ability to receive instruction from outside trainers and record our rides. Through this technology, cameras such as the brands Pixio and Pixem (created by the company Move ‘N See which markets to the equestrian demographic), can be setup in a ring and track you as you ride at home while wearing a headset/earbuds to hear the instructor. These cameras offer riders and trainers the opportunity to have virtual lessons and receive instruction from trainers that we would normally receive from clinics that have been canceled due to travel restrictions and social distancing. The auto-follow camera technology is also great for providing instructors who are financially dependent upon giving clinics a revenue stream teaching lessons from their own home without having to travel. A win/win for both riders and trainers during COVID, and so effective that this might become the new normal after the pandemic instead of having to trailer your horse to clinics or bring in outside training. This camera technology also provides equestrians with the opportunity to video themselves in the ring which is an excellent tool to critique our own riding and use video to market ourselves.

Joining an Online Equine Community

The new social app Clubhouse

Because our social interaction with other people has become so limited with the need to social distance, it is important during this time to fill the void of community. As an equestrian I get so much out of bouncing ideas off other riders, and talking to other people about their training and issues they have/are experiencing. Because COVID has prevented us from being able to organically see and interact with other riders, I have found that I am able to fill this void from an online community. I recently joined the social app Clubhouse, which is a brand new social media networking platform. Clubhouse is an audio drop in social network, that provides a place for authentic conversations from people around the world that share topics of interest. I have joined a group called “Equestrian Connect” that currently has 1.5k members, and will take 30+ minutes a day to join a conversation related to horses that might be going on, or join the Equestrian Connect chatroom and have a conversation with other horse lovers about pretty much anything equine related. Clubhouse has been a great tool to give me a diverse, international community of like minded individuals to run ideas by and hear about other equestrians training/businesses and provide my own feedback. Clubhouse is currently in their beta phase and you need to be invited by a member to join. I currently have some invites, so if you are interested contact me under my Contact Page, and if I still have some invites I would be happy to invite you to be a member!

Staying Fit At Home

One of my ways of coping with the pandemic has been to create an at home gym. I realized that for my mental health and also to stay fit as an equestrian, I needed to create a space in my home to be able to workout. With gyms being closed because of COVID, creating a home gym has kept me active and in shape for riding. I have found equipment that is at home friendly and does not take up too much space. I purchased the Tonal for strength training, the Peloton bike for cardio, and the Peak Pilates Fit Reformer for pilates.

Training with the Tonal

The Tonal provides weight training workouts by using electromagnetism to create resistance and mounts to your wall in a remarkably small footprint for a personalized full body workout through their virtual classes.

Training with the Peloton Bike

The Peloton bike is an effective and fun solution for getting my cardio in. The Peloton virtual classes are great for motivation and really get your heart pumping with interval training.

Training with the Peak Pilates Fit Reformer

The Peak Pilates Fit Reformer is awesome for at home use because it incorporates space-saving vertical stacking. Now I can do Pilates from home which is so important for my core strength and riding posture.

If you do not have room to create your own home gym, and/or don’t want to spend the money buying exercise equipment, there are great options you can find online that require no money or equipment.

Pamela Reif’s Workout Videos

I am personally a huge fan of Pamela Reif who offers great fitness videos on her YouTube channel. One of my favorites is her 10 minute ab workout videos which are great for keeping a strong core for riding.

Using This Time To Fine Tune Your Training

As an equestrian each show season we are trying to move up another level. With the cancelled shows last season and the uncertainty of the next show season, COVID provides an opportunity to deal with the issues we tend to sometimes overlook because we are so focused on getting to the next level. As a dressage rider with a young horse, COVID has given me the time to work on my horse’s self carriage, obedience, and my riding position. These things are essential for me and my horse to be successful at the upper levels, and can sometimes be overlooked as priorities in training when riding in the lower levels because we are so focused on learning the new movements our horse needs to know for the upcoming show season. The pandemic is an opportunity to deal with training issues and work on the basics that are essential for having a horse and rider that will receive higher scores at the lower levels and have the proper foundation at the more advanced levels of the sport.

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Stallion

A question that I am asked constantly, “Why do you keep your horse a stallion?”. Because the answer to this question is complex and there is so much controversy when riding and competing a stallion in the United States, I wanted to take the time to explain why I have chosen to not castrate my horse.

Safety is always the Number One Priority

Before addressing this question and talking about the pros and cons of owning and competing a stallion, I think it is important to discuss my background and experience to provide some insight to why I have chosen to not geld my Lusitano, Iguazu. I have been riding horses since I was 4 years old, been competing since I was 12, and have trained with stallions in Spain for almost two years with some of the top trainers in my sport (a very important reason why I have not gelded my horse!). I would categorize myself as an experienced rider and horse owner. As a young rider going through Pony Club, I was taught before anything else, SAFELY COMES FIRST. When I refer to safety this means my personal safety around horses, my horse’s safety, and the responsibility of the safety for other people and horses around me. If you are not familiar with basic horse safety I recommend reading this article on Horse Safety Rules & Safety Manual Guidelines from the American Youth Horse Council, https://www.eqgroup.com/library/horse_safety/. For a more in depth explanation of horse and rider safety I highly recommend the book, “Start with Safety Guidelines” which can be purchased at this link or on Amazon https://www.ayhc.com/product-page/start-with-safety-guidelines.

Safety with Stallions

Horseback riding and handling horses is not something that should ever be taken lightly. Even if you do everything right, at the end of the day horses are unpredictable! You have to always be aware of your surroundings and be thinking ahead of time of all the things that can possibly go wrong. This mind frame is essential for riding and handling a horse on the ground, and even more important when you work with a stallion... a horse that is driven by hormones. A hormonal stallion can be one of the most dangerous horses to handle. Handling and riding a stallion should never be casual as even with the most skilled horsemanship things can go south quickly.

The European Mentality of Dealing With Stallions

Me riding a Lusitano Stallion in Andalusia Spain

So why is it that I take the extra risk to own and compete with a horse that has the potential to be most unpredictable? Part of my answer to this question has to do with my exposure to the European mentality of riding stallions. As I mentioned I had the privilege to ride and train in Andalusia Spain with some of the top trainers in the world. It was very rare to see a high level dressage horse in Spain gelded. Almost all the horses that I trained on were stallions. Very different to the American barns where it is almost unheard of to see a stallion at a training facility. The Spanish and Portuguese have a different mentality of raising their male horses than we do here in the United States. Based upon my experience and knowledge, here are some reasons why the Spanish and Portuguese choose not to geld their horses:

Physical Development of Iberian Horses

In Spain and Portugal the majority of the dressage riders work with Iberian horses who originated from the Iberian peninsula. The Iberian horses in modern day are categorized into 18 horse breeds that are officially recognized as Iberian horses. Two of the breeds have become very popular for dressage competition: the Andalusians (also known as PREs or Pura Raza Española) most communally found in Spain and the Lusitano (also known as PSL or Puro Sangue Lusitano) most commonly found in Portugal. The Iberian horses matures late, towards their sixth year. Because these horses physically develop much later then other breeds such as Warmbloods, Iberian horse breeders and trainers have found that not gelding their horses at the an early age has benefitted their horses to physically mature properly and does not stunt their growth.

Behavior and Socialization of Iberian Horses in Europe

It is known that the Iberian stallions tend to be calmer and more manageable than the warmblood stallions. If you talk to a trainer in Spain they will argue that the Iberian horses are more sensitive and have a better temperament than warmbloods making them easier to remain stallions. Although I find this statement to be a little biased, it proves credible when you go to a barn in Spain or Portugal and see 5 stallions tied up next to one another without behavioral issues (for the record I do not recommend doing this!). From my time training in Spain and the experience of working and owning Iberian horses, I do see how people claim Iberian horses have a good demeanor setting them up to be more manageable as stallions. But, I also witnessed how the Spanish and Portuguese raise and handle their stallions, which is very different then how we raise ours here in America. They are not isolated. They are well socialized and are around other stallions/geldings from a young age. In general, they are not treated as a liability, but simply a horse that requires extra precautions. However, most training barns I visited in Spain had at least one stallion that everyone told you to stay away from because they were too unpredictable. These stallions were only ridden by an advance trainer, and just like humans, I think both nature and nurture played a role in a stallion's behavior. Even if you do everything to raise and train them right, there are just some stallions that will always be just too risky and should not be handled by anyone but a professional.

Cultural Differences

I saw in Spain and Portugal cultural differences in the breeding and training of their horses. I believe these differences have an underlying role in determining whether a culture is oriented towards keeping and training stallions. In Spain and Portugal the equestrian culture is fit for handling and training stallions safely and successfully partially because they are hard on the horses and expect nothing less than good behavior. The training barns have very similar processes and requirements that include specific accommodations (example stalls, turnouts and stallion friendly barns), handling skills of the grooms, and training tactics that meet the needs and priorities of stallions. Not allowing the stallion to inch forward without being in control of the horse, correcting a stallion's behavior while engaging safely with the horse, correcting a stallion when he comes too close into the rider's space by asking him to step back and remain in that safe space, are all examples of critical training methods that stallions require to remain safe. These techniques are not administered casually and the Spanish and Portuguese do not raise stallions without a firm presence. Their horse training methods provide an environment to train stallions properly and they showed me how wonderful working with stallions can be. Americans might consider some of these tactics as a little too harsh, but the stallions need structure and more discipline then geldings and mares.

Treating Horses as Teammates versus Pets

While in Europe, I noticed there was a significant difference between how people treated and interacted with their horses and built their relationships. In Portugal and Spain, horses are viewed more as teammates for recreation and/or work. They are trained and expected to do a “job” together with their rider to achieve training goals.

In America, we often see our horses more as pets or companions. Many Americans are less structured horseback riders than their counterparts in Spain or Portugal and seem to focus on enjoying the horse as a pastime rather than training the horse in a firm systematic way. In my observation, the average amateur American equestrian seems to be less structured and strict with their horses, perhaps because they may seek more relaxation and companionship with their horses rather than achieving aggressive training goals. A more relaxed training schedule and environment is not ideal for most stallions which is partially why we have less success and interest in training them.

Why I have kept my horse a Stallion

After experiencing and working to understand the mentality and uniqueness of the Iberian horses, I can now answer the question of why I have not gelded my Lusitano stallion, Iguazu:

Temperament and Training Tactics

Training with Iguazu at home

I purchased Iguazu when he was 4 years old from a Portuguese breeder/trainer who only worked with Lusitano stallions. From the time Iguazu was born he was raised/trained with the European stallion mind frame which I explained above. He was in a barn with other stallions, turned out daily next to stallions and geldings (with proper fencing and accommodations built for stallion safety), and trained to be a teammate not a pet. This basic but stallion focused training provided me with a manageable young stallion when I purchased him. He understood boundaries and reacted well to his work under saddle. Although there were days when he would be hormonal and distracted, I continued with the European training techniques he was raised with to keep him progressing. This level of training and respect for one another has been beneficial to his growth and taming his hormonal moments to work to our advantage under saddle. The riding skills I learned and use with Iguazu include always being very confident, setting boundaries with my space, focus on the job at hand, and making decisions with conviction to provide my stallion with structured training and handling methods. I can transfer Iguazu’s stallion energy into the training at hand and keep him engaged. My goal with each ride is to have him participate and perform while training so together we can pursue our goal to advance in dressage levels. The best way I can explain it is, I have been successful in channeling his testosterone energy to remain focused and get the job done while training.

Future Breeding Opportunities

Iguazu’s Grandfather Riopele

Iguazu has amazing bloodlines and his grandfather was a world champion in Portugal. What this means for me is that Iguazu has potential to one day be studded out, and I might want to breed him and even keep one of his offspring. When I tell people that this is one of the reasons why I keep him a stallion, the question I am typically asked is, “if you are keeping him a stallion to breed him why don't you freeze his sperm and then geld him?” There are two reasons why I have not decided to just freeze his sperm and geld him if I one day want to breed him. The first is, Iguazu is still a virgin. Based upon stallion knowledge, I do not believe that a stallion who is training and competing should be breeding at the same time. Once you intentionally activate a stallions' sex drive most often the horse's behavior drastically changes. Once exposed to intentional ejaculation the stallion's energy, that I have worked so hard to channel into training, risks being directed towards the mares and engaging in the release of his hormones instead of getting his work done. The second reason... if I decided to freeze Iguazu's semen and then castrate him I would be at risk of losing the well behaved horse that I currently own. I would be releasing a sex drive that he has not yet tapped into only to then take away his testosterone by castrating him. In my opinion, this would change his temperament and create issues with his performance that jeopardize our good training. Now let me be clear, if Iguazu was not a well behaved stallion and I felt uncomfortable around him I would of course freeze his semen and castrate him. Fortunately, he shows no signs of needing to go down that road and is very manageable with the proficient stallion care I practice. When the day comes that I retire him or if he ever gets injured and can not compete, I know that I am preserving the gift of him becoming a stud horse and having a career change as a breeding stallion. From what I observed and learned, it is best not to confuse a stallion that is well behaved and on purpose. Right now, he knows his purpose and we are devoted to training and competition.

Facility and Trainer

Me taking Iquazu in from turnout at facility where I board him in Northern California

Lastly, the reason I want to keep Iguazu a stallion is I have found a wonderful training facility and trainer who understands and welcomes stallions. Iguazu is stabled in a barn with a gelding on either side of him. They really are his buddies and he is turned out safely everyday to socialize just like every other horse in the barn. He has proper fencing on both sides of his stall with electric shocks that provide a safe living situation. Safety measures and the appreciation of the stallion by my trainer and her staff have ensured Iguazu is not looked at as a liability. Often in the U.S. people have a perception that keeping a horse a stallion is cruel to the horse. Well, I will argue any day that if a stallion can live and train in a facility that provides him a good lifestyle in a healthy and safe environment, it can work out as the best scenario for both horse and rider. Iguazu is constantly stimulated, is not looked at as a liability, and receives outstanding care from the staff at my barn and me. I am very lucky to have a trainer that appreciates and embraces a well behaved stallion while understanding his needs and characteristics. She manages her training barn based upon the needs and personality of each horse and has herself extensive stallion experience. If I did not have the right accommodations and trainer for Iguazu, it would be very difficult for both of us to progress with our training and goals and I would constantly be torn with the anguish to geld him. Iguazu's care and well being is the first priority to me and I am very fortunate to have found the ideal environment for him to be a healthy and happy stallion in a dressage training facility. His living and training environment comes close to the successful stallions I was exposed to in Europe and does not isolate and label him as a liability. This only compliments his work and decreases the likelihood that he develop aggressive or dangerous behavioral traits.

The Challenges of Owning a Stallion: Liability of a Hormonal horse

The first and most important challenge to owning a stallion is the extra liability of having an unpredictable horse, and that’s why I started this post with the importance of safety. I always have to remember that Iguazu has the potential to be more aggressive than other horses because he is a hormonal stallion! I am constantly thinking ahead of time of everything that can go wrong! It is my job to prevent putting him or myself in risky situations where something might go wrong. An example, if a mare is being tacked up in the cross ties, I wait until she leaves before tacking up Iguazu or tack him up in his stall. Especially at shows where he is in a new environment, I go out of my way to make certain precautions are in place to not improperly engage him, myself, someone else, or another horse. When I lead him in a situation towards a potential issue, I always put a stud chain on his halter to give me more control over him and his movements. I never interact with him without the proper foot gear, always wear my helmet when I ride him, and carry a dressage crop as a training aid and as needed for discipline. He is never left unsupervised and I plan all my movements on and off the saddle ahead of time to help in risk management.

Respecting other’s Fear of Stallions

Owning a stallion comes with the responsibility to be extra respectful towards other people who might be nervous around a stallion. Practicing first rate barn etiquette and safety is my job. Taking on the responsibility of a stallion also means that I need to respect and be extra conscientious of how people perceive and receive him. I know that the lack of exposure and experience with a stallion can be intimating and others easily fear the unpredictability of a stallion's behavior. I make sure I never walk Iguazu up to someone or other horses unannounced or unchecked and go out of my way to make sure other people and horses feel safe having Iguazu around them. It takes time and patience and understanding as some people want no contact with a stallion. Although he is not an aggressive horse, I always give new comers the heads up he is a stallion and give them the opportunity to find their comfort zone. Taking responsibility for owning a stallion requires extra work and consideration for the boarders at my barn and when I take him to shows. Just because I am comfortable with handling and riding a stallion does not mean that others are or have to be.

Transporting and Showing

Planning ahead of time regarding transportation and accommodations is necessary when you compete with a stallion. When it comes to transporting Iguazu or taking him to shows, I have to go out of my way to make sure he is not close to the mares. This often requires arranging separate transportation and arrival time. Communication and alerting the show grounds ahead of time that I have a stallion is critical to safely boarding away from mares and in a barn that best suits us. . Taking a stallion off property is not an easy mission! I need to make all the necessary arrangements and notify the facility ahead of time to make sure Iguazu travels safely and is in a stall that can accommodate a stallion keeping him and other horses safe.

Conclusion

I want to be very clear, I did not write this post to encourage people to purchase stallions! What I intended was to bring to light some of the challenges and misnomers behind owning a stallion in the U.S. I can remember during my Pony Club and eventing years the discomfort I felt knowing a stallion was being stalled in my barn or at a show. My early horsemanship had me fearing stallions and believing that they were all dangerous. To my own unexpected delight, I have found so much of those early fears to be stereotypical and wrong. I am very grateful I had the privilege to experience the wonders and strengths of owning and training with stallions during my time in Spain for it was through the ancient European horse rearing culture of this country that I was honestly introduced to the stallions. They can be truly wonderful partners when worked with properly. At the end of the day, whether its a mare, gelding, or stallion, it’s essential to find the right horse that fits your experience, needs, personality, and riding goals. And in taking on this partner, It is also your job to provide them with the proper care and training that every horse deserves.

Finding The Right Trainer

There are three components to having a successful equestrian career, your ability to ride, the athletic capability of your horse, and the right trainer that can help you achieve your goals. The best riders in the world would not be where they are without the right trainer. It is critical to find the right person (persons) that understand your goals, and have the skills to help you achieve them. Finding the right trainer can be a process, and should not be taken lightly. If you start working with a trainer that is not right for you they can do you and your horse more harm then good. There are certain components that you need to take into consideration when finding the right trainer, their experience, their communication skills, their commitment to your success, and the facility in which they teach.

Experience
I have had training sessions with an abundant of instructors since I started riding at age five. When I started riding, I needed instructors that had experience in teaching kids/beginners the basic principles of riding including safety. At age twelve I started competing. I needed a trainer that could teach me how to train for three day eventing competitions, explain to me the rules, and understand my weaknesses while focusing on exercises and drills to improve my riding. When I switched over to competing in strictly dressage, I needed a dressage trainer who was an expert in the sport. Your trainer needs to have the experience to get you where you want to go as a rider, and is accomplished themselves.  It is also important they have a track record of success with other students. You also want your trainer to have experience in training with the breed of horse you ride, so they know how to work with your horse, as every breed requires different training methods. It is important to interview trainers before committing to a coach to understand their background and make sure it matches what you want for your future. Also remember that you don't have to have a monogamous relationship with your trainer. It is important to go to clinics or seek other instructors during your training to receive other perspectives and critiques on your riding.

Communication Skills
Just because someone is a good rider does not necessary mean they are a good coach. I have taken lessons with an Olympic medalist and left disappointed with the way she instructed me. She did not have the communication skills to properly explain to me what I was doing wrong. Sometimes trainers can get frustrated because they know how to ride, but can not articulate to someone else how to do something that comes naturally to them. A trainer needs to be patience with their students as it can take years to develop the skills you need to achieve your goals. Do not base your decision on hiring your coach upon their personal success. You need to make certain you understand the way they extend instructions and that they are providing you with the right information and tools to further train you.

Commitment to your Success
You want to find a trainer that is committed to you and wants you to succeed. Instructors are training riders to make money, but it works best if they have/develop an emotional investment in you and your riding.  Your relationship with your trainer should not be simply a source of income for them. Your trainer should view your success as a reflection upon them. I was very fortunate to find an amazing coach during my eventing career who truly cared about me, and took great pride in my achievements.  When times get challenging and you are not progressing at the rate you would like to, you need to have a trainer who works at keeping you motivated to work through your struggles and does not give up on you.

Trainer's Facility
The facility in which a trainer teaches should also play a significant factor in your decision-making. If you are a dressage rider, and your trainer does not have access to a regulation dressage arena, you will not be able to receive maximum benefits from your lessons. The trainer's facility needs to offer you the right accommodations for your riding discipline. Also make certain the facility is equipped  for the weather conditions of which it is located. If you live in an area that is susceptible to bad weather, an indoor arena is an necessity to ensure uninterrupted training.  Think ahead about what a facility needs to have in order for you to get the most out of your training and make sure that your potential coach can accommodate those needs.

As I venture to Spain to start my dressage career and search for a trainer,  I am taking all of these factors into consideration. I am researching trainers in the area and reaching out to other dressage competitors for referrals.  I have compiled a list of potential trainers that might be a good fit and setting up interviews to meet with them at their facility. It is a very important decision for me especially as I am new to the area.  I also need a trainer that can introduce me to the dressage community and help me find the right horses. I look forward to finding my coach and building a relationship with them to help make me the best dressage rider I can be.

The Equestrian Workout

Equestrians often times have a very organized plan for exercising and conditioning their horse, but forget they need to do the same for their own body. Like with any sport, it is important to engage in physical workouts to achieve maximum success in training with your horse.  Riding is a workout on its own, but equestrians should build strength in important muscle groups to help improve their skills and position. I discovered years ago that the only way for a 1,000+ pound animal to listen to my commands is to strengthen my body off of the horse. I have put together "The Equestrian Workout", which has brought me great success with my riding.

Posture is extremely important for equestrians. Talent in riding comes from symmetry, balance, stability and coordination in static posture, meaning there is little movement in many of the joints in the body. The muscle action is small range sustained contractions. Riding uses all of the body's main muscle groups, but specifically requires very strong and fit postural muscles. It takes a different fitness to stand or sit in one position for many hours than to move around continuously, because the body fatigues much faster in static postures than in dynamic postures.

Correct Riding Posture

Midsection

A vital part of the body that is so important for correct riding, is the abdominal muscles. Strong abdominals are needed to stabilize the spine and midsection when riding. If the rider is weak in the abdominals he/she will have poor core strength resulting in "bouncing" in the saddle. By using the abdominals the rider ensures his/her balance and center of control, and by shifting the hips to either side cues the horse to move in a certain direction. 

Upper Body

The flexibility of the back muscles is crucial in riding in order to create a deeper seat and suppleness of the pelvis, especially in the sitting trot. If the rider is stiff in the lower back, he/she will brace against the horse and cause him to react. Riders also need to be strong to extend the lower back in the canter and sit as if “glued” to the saddle. Alignment and correct posture are of importance in healthy shoulder mechanics. Sensitive, independent hands are the goal of all classical dressage riders. This is achieved through adequate strength that is evenly balanced as a result of a well-stabilized shoulder girdle and upright posture. Shoulder and back strength allow the upper arms to hang freely.

Lower Body

The thighs, hamstrings, glutes and calves all play an important roll in riding. In the correct thigh position, the thighs are fully rotated inward from the hip joint. To keep your thigh rotated in, you must engage your thigh muscles. Engaging these inner thigh muscles will achieve quietness of the hips and pelvis in the saddle, and help you stay on. The hamstrings are the key muscle to control the lower leg and the seat. The hamstrings are also used for stability, and balance. The glutes play a vital role in controlling not only the hips, but also help coordinate the trunk and leg movement. If the muscles of the glutes are weak, the hip area can become unstable. When riding, the calves rest against the horse's sides and are used for delivering aids by applying pressure to turn the horse or ask him to speed up. 

The Equestrian Workout

I have created "The Equestrian Workout", made up of specific exercises that I found work the muscles needed for riding. I have put together routines using simple props and strength training with my own body weight. There are 3 props that are needed for this workout: A Magic Circle, Gliders, and 5-10 pound free weights. You can do this workout at the gym or purchase the props for at home use. Try to do the workout 3-4 days a week to receive maximum results in your riding.

Part 1: Magic Circle and Glider Routine

Magic Circle Routine

1. Ab Curls: 40

2. Hip Bridges: 40

3. Leg lifts: 15

4. Lying Ring Pass: 15

5. Outer-Thigh Press: 20 each side

Repeat Magic Circle series 2-3 times

Click Here To Purchase the Ultra-Fit Circle® by Balanced Body

Gliding Disc Routine

1. Gliding Mountain Climber: 20

2. Gliding Leg Crossovers: 20

3. Gliding Arm: 20 (10 each arm)

4. Gliding Curtsy Lung: 20 (each leg)

Repeat Glider series 2-3 times

Click Here to Purchase Gliding Discs

Part 2 "Weight Routine"

Weight Routine 5-10 Pounds

1. Bicep Curl with Squat: 12-15 Reps

2. Upright Row with Sumo Squat: 12-15 Reps

3. Tricep Kickback: 12-15 Reps

4. Over-Head Shoulder Press: 12-15 Reps

5. Bent-Over Reverse Fly: 12-15 Reps

Repeat Weight series 2-3 times

Click Here to Purchase

Transition from Eventing to Dressage

Three Day Eventing (“Eventing”), is the "Equestrian Triathlon". Eventing consists of three days of competition, in three different disciplines, with the same horse, and one aggregated score. The first day is Dressage, where the horse and rider perform a set series of movements in a specialized rectangular arena, with the goal for the rider to communicate to the horse when, how and where it shall preform a series of intricate and subtle movements. The horse and rider must demonstrate impeccable balance, rhythm, and form. The horse and rider must in effect dance together and are judged by how well they do so. The second day is Cross Country, where the horse and rider must have speed, endurance, and jumping ability over varied terrain and solid obstacles in an open country field setting. The third day is Show Jumping (also known as Stadium Jumping), a timed jumping test in an enclosed ring, where a course must be navigated through colored fences made up of lightweight rails that are easily knocked down at a high speed. 

Eventing is debatably one of the most challenging equestrian sports, as the horse and rider must train in these three completely different riding disciplines, and master each discipline despite their dramatic differences. Eventing can be one of the most dangerous equestrian sports, as the Cross Country event requires the horse to move at very high speeds over solid obstacles. If the horse and/or rider falls, it is on jumps that do not collapse, which has resulted in numerous causalities for both horses and riders.

I started in Eventing at 12 years old. One of my Pony School trainers was an Eventer and quickly immersed me in the sport which I took to immediately. Soon thereafter, I was taken on by a well known French Eventing trainer and my journey into the world of Eventing began. I competed successfully at the upper levels in the U.S, on my Selle Francais, Hipius, who I purchased and imported from France. Five years ago, Hipius was sadly diagnosed with Navicular, a degeneration of the navicular bone in horses hooves, causing me to have to retire him. I stopped Eventing not only because I did not have a horse to compete on, but I also had some serious falls and broken bones, that made me rethink if I still wanted to stay in the sport. I continued to take jumping lessons here and there, but was not committed to looking for my next Eventing horse, and restarting my Eventing career.

Competing with Hipius, in Cross Country 

Most Eventers will tell you that dressage is their least favorite day of competition. Honestly, I used to feel the same. Compared to the adrenaline, speed, and excitement of Cross County, and Stadium Jumping, Dressage can seem like a bore. I used to dread my Dressage lessons as they were the most challenging for me. The intricacies and technical nature of Dressage often left me frustrated.

Dressage is also well known and shown as a sport on its own. It is an extraordinarily complex and multifaceted discipline. The sport requires the horse and rider to perform high level movements that are not required in Eventing Dressage. In actuality, solo Dressage is a completely different discipline than Eventing Dressage.  Solo Dressage requires movements such as multifaceted Lead Changes, Pirouettes where the horse makes a circle with its front end around a smaller circle made by the hind end, Piaffes where it looks like the horse is trotting in place, and Passages where the horse suspends the leg for a longer period of time in the trot. None of these high level movements are required in Eventing Dressage.

An incredible example of a Dressage performance by Danish Olympic Dressage rider, ANDREAS HELGSTRAND, displaying high level Dressage movements.

Two years ago, through happenstance, I took a lesson with a famous Dressage instructor who had me ride a Dressage high level schooling master horse. Up until then I had only competed and trained in Eventing Dressage.  The instructor taught me to do Tempi Flying Changes in which I asked the horse for continuous lead changes at the canter, where it almost looks like the horse is skipping. This one lesson on this one horse had me hooked and was the instantaneous turning point for me from Eventing, to the discipline of solo Dressage. My ultimate goal became to compete in solo Dressage with the aspiration of competing at the Olympic Grand Prix level. 

After that lesson, I had a completely different outlook on Dressage. The sport is an art, and even though it might look to the common eye like it is easy, that is far from the case. The goal is for the rider and the horse to look like they are one being in complete harmony.  It must appear to the judges that the rider is not asking the horse to preform the very difficult movements that are required at the upper levels. The rider’s cues have to be phenomenally precise, and the horse must have the athletic ability and intelligence to move in ways that do not come naturally. I guess it is the absolute precision necessary to preform these high-level movements that got me addicted to the sport. In Cross County and Stadium Jumping I could make mistakes, and they would be overlooked as long as I completed the course in the necessary time. However, in solo Dressage, even the smallest mistake will not be tolerated by the judges. I have made the decision to focus on becoming a solo Dressage competitor. I have so much to learn, but am excited to go on my journey of trying to master the art of the “dancing horse”.