This is a fabulous milestone for you to have achieved, after an exciting and rewarding journey that will have seen you evolve as a natural horseman. We are proud and pleased that you have shown the commitment, dedication and focus needed to complete this part of the programme.
Of course, this is not the end by any means. Some of you will continue on into the Horseman’s Programme of Levels 4 to 7, studying areas of horsemanship, foundation training, colt starting, instructing, young horses or difficult horses; and some of you will set out into the competition arena and apply all of your skills and savvy to your chosen sports.
This portion of the programme is where we will cap off all that we have learnt to date, refine and hone skills and put the last piece into place with advanced contact riding.
Feel is something that we have placed great importance on developing throughout the levels and in this lesson it will be put to the test. Feel of course, is very dependant on mental and emotional fitness, having an independent seat and being very conscious of how we ride. Understanding footfalls and the natural dynamics of weight distribution, being in time and harmony with the horse and having rhythm, will all lead to success with more refined contact riding.
At this point of the programme, we’ll take a closer look at greater hindquarter control and softness, learning to yield the hindquarter left and right at all gaits. We’ll look at further developing natural flexion, hindquarters off track, counter canter and flying lead changes all with soft feel. It’s essential, when doing these types of yields with a greater degree of concentration and difficulty, that we understand the importance of the release and allowing our horses to find comfort when they take our suggestion.
We are now at the point of having almost imperceptible cues, lightness and responsiveness unknown to many riders and such a close connection with your horse that transferring your thoughts into his actions in as easy and natural as performing them yourself.
It almost seems magical, however, we know and you and your horse know, that there is nothing magical or mystical about it at all; other than how great it feels! All it’s taken is some knowledge, coaching, focus, determination, homework and effort to achieve extraordinary results and a special relationship with your horse.
Once again, well done. We sincerely hope that you have enjoyed the programme and establishing your horsemanship foundations. Get set to get out there and take your place as a natural horseman.
FINIS ORIGINE PENDE; the end depends upon the beginning
You have now come full circle. It is only when we see the full picture that we truly understand and appreciate the importance of our origins; in this case, our foundations. Have fun with this final lesson of the Foundation Programme and be proud of all that you have achieved. We hope to see you one day here at the QSSC for a hands dose of extra savvy.
Read More Road To Horsemanship articles.
- By Meredith Ransley, Quantum Savvy.