Lift and open

Our goal is to have our horses lift and lighten the front of their bodies and thats exactly what we need to do with our bodies in order to get that message across. Many riders attempt to pull their horse "down" on to the bit. They end up with their shoulders rolled forward looking down and sometimes even with no flex in the elbow. What should be done first is a mental check list. Lift your body from the top of your head, roll your shoulders up and back, so you have a nice open chest and a bend in your elbow. Then BREATHE! Think of your chest as being high and weightless. Then get your connection and push the hind end forward into a lightened front end. When connecting the horse properly (once I have my contact and MY 'front end' light), I think of engaging the hind end FIRS.T Most importantly you are adding that energy with a closed outside hand. The energy moves from the leg into that hand and recycles back to the hind end again. If you add or push energy into no contact you get what? A faster horse and a down hill carriage. So we add energy to the back end, while asking the front end to stay up and open and relaxed as our chest and head and lungs are. It is SOOOO important that your shoulders do not come in front of the vertical if you expect your horse to lighten and lift his/her front end. They already carry more weight on the front legs and if you add your weight it is that much more difficult and confusing for them to lighten and shift their weight to the hind end.

Sometimes when you do all of this your horse will start to come behind the bit slightly as in this picture of Innamorada above performing piaffe. This mare has a sensitive mouth and sometimes will even back up in piaffe if you hold too much contact. What I suggest is that you simultaneously give with the reins from your elbow(without loosing your shoulder chest position) and add energy to the hind end. Usually that is enough to get the energy headed in the right direction although every horse is different and has different human created habits! Good luck...and stay light in your front end!