JUNE/JULY 2011 THE RIDER /47


speed of the trot will challenge you to apply your aids properly. Ask your horse to pick up a trot and start with a turn to the right. Begin turning to the right using your left leg and left rein. Use your inside right leg to keep the horse’s forward movement at the trot, while the right hand lightly positions his head so he is looking to the right as he is bending and turning in that direction. As you approach the middle of the Figure 8, prepare to change direction to a circle to the left. Straighten the horse as you cross the middle, and then apply the bending aids to the left. Apply the left leg to keep the forward momentum, lightly position his head in the new direction, and use the right rein and right leg to turn.


Building A Partnership


with Your Horse Communicating with Your Aids - Keys to Success, Part 7


In the last article, I discussed the seat and the turning aids. Before going on to the bending aids, I want to give you a good exercise to practice your turning aids.


Figure 8 Circles with Change of Direction at the Walk


The goal of this exercise is to complete two equal, medium-sized circles at the walk in a Figure 8 pattern. Start by asking the horse to walk for- ward. Begin turning him on the first circle to the left. To follow the circle, turn the horse using the right rein against his neck, holding the right leg slightly behind the girth. The inside leg is active and keeps him moving forward as he bends around


it. “Turn the key,” and slightly open the left inside rein to lightly position the horse’s head so he is looking in the direction he is turning.


As you complete the circle to the left, prepare to reverse direction across the middle of the imagi- nary Figure 8. Straighten the horse for a few steps while crossing the middle of the Figure 8. Prepare to change the horse’s body position to ready him for a circle to the right. Start the turn by applying the left leg and left rein while keeping him for- ward using the right leg. Lightly position his head to the right using the inside (right) rein. Practice this exercise, and then add some challenge by asking the horse to make tighter cir- cles within the Figure 8 pattern. Remember the same principles apply—outside rein-outside leg to turn. Maintain the inside leg to keep him forward (so he does not stall in the tighter turn), and lightly position his head with the inside rein to keep him looking in the direction he is turning.


Once you feel that you are solid on under- standing the role of the turning aids, pick up the pace and try this exercise at the trot. The increased


Passion Comes to Life at Vanner Fair on Saturday, September 24, 2011


Deerfields Stables Country Inn Caledon, ON


Caledon, ON - Deerfields Sta- bles Country Inn, just outside the Village of Palgrave in Caledon, will play host to North Ameri- ca’s first ever ‘Vanner Fair’ with breeders, owners and trainers trekking from the far reaches of both countries to participate in demonstrations, competition, sales promotion and the good camaraderie which so naturally follows the colourful Gypsy Vanner horse.


Modelled after the world famous “Appleby Fair” held annually for hundreds of years in the Lake District of Cumbria in the UK, Vanner Fair will show- case the highly adaptable, newly registered Gypsy Vanner breed in a festive atmosphere which celebrates their unique history and the folklore that surrounds this magical horse.


Understanding the Difference between the Turning Aids and the Bending Aids To review, the turning aids are the outside leg and outside indirect rein, supported by the inside leg and inside rein.


to keep the horse in proper position on a curve and on a straight line. It uses an elongated Fig- ure 8 pattern made up of two half-circles on each end connected by long, diagonal straight lines. We will start with the aids sequence used when going from a straight line to a turn and returning to the straight line:


2. before the turn, use the bending aids (the inside leg, and open inside rein) supporting the bend with the outside leg and outside indirect rein against the neck,


1. start the figure on one of the pattern’s straight lines using even leg aids and rein aids to keep the horse straight,


3. as you get to the turn, use the turning aids (the outside leg and outside indirect rein) to direct the horse through the turn,


Bending is when the horse arcs his body, from the poll (top of the head), through his spine, to the dock (top of the tail). The bending aids are inside leg and inside open rein, sup- ported by the outside leg and outside rein. The inside leg is the bending aid curving the spine from the withers to the dock. The open rein flexes the head inward and curves the spine from the poll to the withers.


4. before going straight again, use the straight- ening aids (the inside leg to stop the bending and bring the horse to your outside open rein), 5. as you get back to the point of going on a straight line again, evenly apply both leg aids and rein aids to keep the horse forward and straight.


next turn.


It is very important for the horse to have the correct body position on straight lines and curves. This allows the horse to achieve his best balance. The rider keeps the horse straight between her/his leg and hand aids. The rapport between her leg and hand aids is critical!


Aids Sequence for Bending: 1. the inside leg just behind the girth, 2. inside open rein (An open rein is applied by turning your hand as if you are turning a key to open a door or start a car. Then the hand is moved forward and sideways. Your fingernails should point to the sky, as an exaggerated posi- tion to get this correct. Later you will not need to exaggerate this as much.),


3. the outside leg to support the horse’s hips from swinging out, and 4. the outside rein to control the head and neck from bending or flexing too far and to keep the shoulder in line of the bend.


Here is an exercise to help you practice using the bending aids


DAVIS FEED & FARM


Developed by the Roma- nies (aka Gypsies) centuries ago, the Gypsy Vanner is a strong, relatively small, pleasingly stocky horse. Considered valu- able working members of the Gypsy family, they are equally adept at pulling the Romany travelling home, fleet enough for hunting and merchant expedi- tions, yet gentle enough to entrust with the family children. Today’s Gypsy Vanner holds true to the breed’s tradi- tions, but is turning heads amongst a new family clientele who not only appreciate the breed’s distinctive eye appeal, but also recognize the quiet demeanour and the willing, multi-task capabilities of these disarming equine friends. Bold and majestic in stature, Gypsy Vanners are culti- vating new fans across the conti- nent as dressage, jumping, west- ern pleasure, in-hand and driving competition athletes for passion- ate amateur riders/drivers who appreciate their intelligent and willing disposition.


“The colourful Gypsy Vanner, respected across Europe for its easy, outgoing personality and ability to multi-task, will take centerstage at the first ever North American “Vanner Fair” to be held at Deer- fields Stables Country Inn in the beautiful Caledon Hills.” Photo Credit: © Mark J. Barrett, www.markjbarrett.com


Professional trainers are joining the league of fans as they find the breed surprisingly ath- letic, easy to train and, most important, amazing partners for loving owners in their new voca- tion.


These special horses will receive nothing less than the ‘Red Carpet’ treatment at Van- ner Fair, with international judging and clinics, skilled competition and artful demon- strations held throughout the day.


A festive trade fair will continue the ‘vanner passion’ with specialty vendors and artisans selling lifestyle and equine crafts and wares, while breeders and ‘newbie’ owners regale visitors with personal anecdotes about their life with a Gypsy Vanner. Don’t be surprised to receive an ‘up close and personal’ intro to their new best friend ......a Gypsy Vanner.


….. ‘Move over Rover……You’ve got compe-


tition’


Date/ Time: Saturday September 24th, 9 am to 4:30 pm


Location: Deerfields Stables Country Inn (Caledon), 17084 Duffys Lane, Palgrave ON L7E 3C2


For more information visit: www.vannerfair.com


SUPPLY LTD. 15770 Mountainview Road, Caledon


Livestock Feed • Custom Horse Mixes • Shavings Pet Foods • Water Softener Salt • Grass Seed (Bus.) 905-584-2880 (Res.) 905-584-2118 www.davisfeed.ca


Visit Our Showroom HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm


The process starts over again before the


Do this exercise at the walk to get the coordination of the aids. At the walk, you also have more time to do the figure and feel the horse’s reactions in response to your aids. When you perfect the exercise at the walk, repeat it at the trot. As you progress, this figure will lend itself to the canter with a simple change of lead in the middle of the straight line.


My five-part series, Dressage Principles for the Western and English Horse and Rider will enhance this series on Aids Communica- tion. For more information on this and other Palm Partnership Training ™ products, or infor- mation on clinics, go to www.lynnpalm.com or call us at 800-503-2824.


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