APRIL 2024 THE RIDER /31 Palm Partnership Training™


Building A Partnership With Your Horse Dressage:


Why is it a benefit for all disciplines?


By Lynn Palm Are you passionate


about becoming a true part- ner with your horse? I know I am, and I’m here to help you achieve that goal. Train- ing for Western Dressage will help with any western discipline with or without cattle!


For this next series on


training, you’ll be your own trainer for 80 to 90 percent of the time. You will learn to find those remarkable feel- ings when both you and your horse come into bal- ance, regardless of disci- pline. Being in the Dressage Court (arena) will help you attain that balance. We all want those feelings with a horse, regardless of what saddle you’re riding or what breed of horse you swing a leg over. We all dream of moments of being in syn- chronization with our horses. These moments keep us hungry to learn more and achieve more dif- ficult tasks with our horses. Remember, this Western Dressage discipline will steal your heart and create a


physically strong, balanced, supple, and flexible. This equine athlete also demon- strates a calm, confident, at- tentive attitude and is willing to do their job — whether performance in the show ring or a safe weekend trail ride. Tests provide an intro-


Stock horse with correct balance. Relaxed because he is being ridden from “back to front” with leg aids connecting to the horse’s mouth.


passion for riding in har- mony with your horse. Re- member, too, that dressage is simply the foundation to ride correctly, and for the horse to be confident and willing with whatever per- formance you choose! I’m looking forward


to the next several months, when I’ll share tips and guidelines for understanding the simplicity of learning (in written format, at least)


Western Dressage training from Introductory Level to Level 5. Could be the start of my new book…..!


Western Dressage Level Requirements and


Advancing Your Training


Starting Levels All the levels in West-


ern Dressage are a system- atic, progressive training that produce a horse that is


duction to the discipline of Western Dressage wherein the horse performs only at the walk and jog. The rider should demonstrate correct basic position, use of basic aids, and understanding of the test figures. The horse should show relaxation, and harmony between horse and rider is essential. The horse accepts the aids and influ- ence of the rider. The jog should be a natural gait within the horse’s scope and should demonstrate a swing- ing back.


Introductory Levels: Gaits and Definitions


Working Walk — Four- beat, active, energetic walk with resolutely forward reaching steps. This horse


This is a stock bred horse built more uphill but in a self-carriage.


Stock horse in self-carriage. Happy and relaxed for this level.


has a confident stretch to the bit. His head and neck should swing naturally as a result of a relaxed back and shoulder/front legs align- ment to the hip/hind legs. The horse’s hind feet should touch the ground into or be- yond the prints of the forefeet.


Free Walk — A relaxed


walk with unconstrained, forward reaching steps where hind feet touch the ground clearly in front of the footprints of the forefeet. The horse must be relaxed and be allowed through a loose (no contact) of the mouth, the freedom to lower his head and neck to stretch forward and down and out with the nose. The length of


stride, rhythm, the relax- ation and swing through the back of the horse is of great importance. The stretch of the horse is very important to allow the body to lengthen and stretch the top line muscles. The stretch also allows reaching of the hind limb joints to develop the strength and flexibility to compact his body for fu- ture direction and require- ments and for developing collection.


Working Jog — An ener- getic, regular, two-beat jog. The horse must go forward with even and elastic steps. The hind legs step actively up under the horse with ob- vious push from the hindquarters as demon- strated from a relaxed top line – thus a swinging back, and reaching for the bit with freedom in the shoulder movement. The horse must be in proper balance and maintain a light contact with the bit. The horse’s nose must be on or slightly in front of the vertical. In In- troductory and Basic Tests, the Working Jog may be rid- den either posting or sitting.


Halt — At the halt the horse should stand attentive, engaged, motionless, straight and “square.” Square means the horse’s legs are square with the weight evenly distributed over all four legs. The neck should be raised with the poll as the highest point and the head slightly in front of the vertical. The horse should remain “on the bit” by maintaining a light and soft contact with the rider’s hands. The horse may “mouth” the bit during the


Continued on Page 32 Valuable Life Lessons Learned At Teen Ranch Horse Camps Riding camp at Teen


Ranch yields life lessons that can’t be cultivated any- where else. Living with peo- ple and working with horses for a week (or more!) is, by nature, character building. How? Glad you asked! Western and English riders of all levels learn the impor- tance of respecting others, listening well, and commu- nicating clearly - to both horses and humans! More- over, these riders learn the value of hard work, leader- ship, patience, determina- tion, and sportsmanship - to name a few.


Respect for others– A camp environment teaches social skills and apprecia- tion for those around you. Sharing a room, working to- gether in camp activities, and encouraging each other in riding lessons fosters lifelong memories, and so- cial skills to help later in life. Respecting the horse and their unique design is also essential. Despite their size and power, they assist us in life and accept training from us.


Listening well & commu- nicating clearly - Riders


who listen well and imple- ment their instructors’ direc- tives will improve greatly over a week of riding les- sons. Instructors teach riders how to communicate to these incredible animals with “natural aids” - their voice, hands, legs, and weight.


Hard work - Riding horses is fun! But it’s also hard work and teaches responsi- bility. The responsibility of caring for a horse fosters work ethic - a character quality that sets kids up for success later in life.


Leadership, patience and determination - The mark of a leader and good horse- man is taking initiative and patiently following through until your horse grasps and does what you’re asking. Riders learn to deal with disappointment and the sat- isfaction of accomplishment - important tools for success in life.


Sportsmanship - At camp, riders learn the value of en- couraging words & actions - good sportsmanship. As rid- ers experience encourage- ment first-hand from their instructors, they learn to cheer fellow riders on.


Teen Ranch offers


summer week-long residen- tial and day camps in Eng- lish & Western Horsemanship featuring Certified Horsemanship As- sociation trained instructors. Advanced riders can take advantage of their Intensive Equestrian Program for competitive


level hunter/jumper riders.


MOTHER-DAUGHTER EQUINE ESCAPE WEEKEND


MAY 10-12, 2024 Do you have a daugh-


ter who loves horses? Teen Ranch’s popular Mother- Daughter Equine Escape is an incredibly unique, once- a-year opportunity to take a riding lesson together, enjoy beautiful trails through woods and hills, and invest time in one another over a common love of horses and adventure. Check it out!


Teen Ranch Biography Established in 1967,


Teen Ranch riding instruc- tors have taught riding to thousands of campers. The property stretches over 150


acres in the beautiful Cale- don Hills with five sand rid- ing rings, full hunter/jumper courses and scenic trails. Known for its excellent fa- cilities and outstanding service, Teen Ranch has grown into a multi-use year- round facility for summer camps, church groups, school boards, hockey or- ganizations, and sports teams. Teen Ranch’s goal is to


aid in the development of the whole person - physi- cally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Built on a


foundation of the Christian faith, they believe that the Bible offers timeless wis- dom for all relationships - wisdom woven into the fab- ric of summer camps and re- treats. Visit their website, give them a call, and book a tour. They’d love to meet you!


Website: www.teenranch.com Phone: (519) 941 4501 Email:


camp@teenranch.com


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