Riding techniques and Exercises
The Foundation Training Method provides the rider with a step by step exercise program to train relevant muscles structure. Focusing on head and seat position, shape and format always working within a frame.
The round yard and ground work exercises will be transferred up to the rider. Which we have learnt and taught to be considered as a dance.
The horse doesn’t know that all the ground work exercises he has learnt will be the same exercises with the rider will now use in the seat above him.
The moment a rider mounts a horse, we are developing seat cues. Our seat cues are equally important as soft hands. When we climb up onto the horses back for the first time or to introduce the new training to an already started horse, the horse will not have a clue about what we are going to do or ask of him/her.
The horse being ridden for the first time doesn’t know he/she will be ridden for the rest of their life.
The horse being re-educated should still be considered as being ridden for the first time as we have to teach the new training method from the seat. The horse will only have memories of how he was last ridden. We will replace those memories with new ones. Gradually through repetition, the new memories take over.
NOTE: All horses lose their confidence once the handler steps up and into the seat position.
All horses struggle at first to comprehend the new training method. But with knowledge and patience, the horse will soon come to understand and realise that he/she knows what they are being taught.
The horse will try to tell the rider that his/her way is best (especially to retain his tools). The rider has to have the knowledge and the skills to convince and prove the horse that the horse’s way is far more difficult using a lot more energy and effort. A lore less healthier as the wrong muscles are being worked and mentally frustrating.
The Foundation Training Method will provide the knowledge and practical skills and exercises to relax and have a good time.
- Ride safely and stay in control
- To be a centred rider and apply seat cues.
- To have soft hands
- To ride with one rein
- To have control of the horse’s feet in their hands
- To apply the relevant exercises to achieve, in a correct manner, side passing, backup, stop, to work in collection , walk, trot, canter, spin, roll back etc
- Lead changes his/her emotions to deal with shying, rearing, bucking etc.
If a rider doesn’t know how to achieve a certain task on the ground, then they would not know how to achieve their goal from the seat.
Remember – we cannot miss or bypass a step in our training. I will always have an effect on the future, often becoming the supple difference between success or failure.
A rider must provide leadership and guide his/her horse with purpose at all times.
A rider who allows his/her horse to be the leader will find themselves being dominated by the horse.
Introducing the Rider
All riders and handlers have a dream of having the perfect relationship with our horse. With the right training, we can come close. But still, it is necessary in any relationship that both parties take responsibility for their actions and behaviour. If our horses want more freedom, then they too must take some responsibility for their actions and behaviour because the more the human trusts his/her horse, the more they will let go.
Foundation Training can provide methods that will step by step build the trust and belief between the horse and his/her human.
Happy and Safe Riding, Shane
Shane D. Olver - Master Horseman 