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Contact
To me, "Contact" is the feeling of
togetherness that the horse gives you not only through your hands but also your
lower body, that is, the parts of you that are in contact with the horse.
The feeling of "Contact" is determined by the
stage of the horse's education and his ability to work through his back and
hindquarters. A horse working incorrectly will be on his forehand and seeking
support from your reins. This causes a heaviness in your hands as he is trying
to draw your weight over his front legs where his weight is as he is under the
false impression that this is less effort for him. To correct this heavy
feeling, match the rein pressure with your lower legs (the calves, not the heel)
and your lower back by sitting up tall with your stomach slightly forward and
your elbows by your sides. If the horse has drawn your arms in front of your
body you will end up with aching shoulders as he uses you to support his
forehand The strength in your whole body should be enough to prevent the horse
spoiling your position Sometimes this feels quite firm.
Try not to make the mistake of tightening your seat as
this squeezes you out of the saddle and causes tightening at the top inside
thigh. This prevents the horse from rounding his back underneath you.
Concentrate on the firmness being in your upper body and arm position but on no
account tighten your fists. You should then feel a stretch down the front of
your thighs and the backs of your calves. The horse should re-balance himself
within a few steps. You will feel a softening of the reins, an arching of the
horse's neck in front of you and of his back behind you. At precisely this
moment you must soften your whole body (just the tone changes; not the posture)
and allow the horse to remain quietly on the bit. Sit passively and let him
enjoy what he is doing. This pleasant sensation is his reward.
Let the horse show you the amount of contact he needs.
If he is heavy on your reins increase your seat and leg aids to match. If he
lightens the feeling on the reins correctly then soften your aids. However, if
he has loosened the reins by tucking in his chin, take up the slackness and keep
your legs on to take him forwards to the bridle. Within a few steps he should
soften his jaw allowing you to soften the reins again.
A
light contact must come from the horse softening himself to you and not by him
demanding that you give him the reins when he feels like it. The more balanced
the horse, the lighter the reins become, even reaching the point where you can
yield the reins completely and he stays in balance without relying on them at
all.
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