JULY 2025 THE RIDER /29


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Working over obstacles


- the harmony and horsemanship.


picture in mind. The “equitation” part is the harmony between horse and rider. Horses are to be handy, obedient, responsive yet re- laxed. Like the ap- peal of the ranch events, riders are increasingly appre- ciating


when


by Lindsay Grice. Eques- trian Canada coach and horse show judge.


The popularity of obstacle


disciplines is growing - Working Equitation, Mountain Trail, Show Trail, Ranch trail, Extreme Cow- boy.


I include some obstacle work


in most lessons I teach. What’s the appeal? Riders tell me that obstacles offer them: • a change and challenge from the dressage ring or the western pleasure rail. There’s a rhythm in obstacle courses – a cycle of flowing forward between obsta- cles and maneuvering, step-by- step over and through them. • a chance to test our training system: our lateral aids, our stride regulation, our ability to make decisions and control our horse’s feet. Control the feet and you control the horse, advised the founders of the natural horse training movement. And I’ve found it to be true – the key to the horse’s mind is, in a manner of speaking, through his feet. When I set up ground rails for my stu- dents, they reap the benefits of guiding their horses’ steps side- ways, backward and forward; tools to benefit their other horse activities such as in positioning for lead departures or opening a gate from horseback. • a less-risky challenge than over-fences. Like jumping, ob- stacle courses stretch us to mem- orize the order and strategize our geometry and approach – an ex- ercise in brain health! Yet riders commonly feel more secure, step- ping through obstacles than jumping over them. On that note, I thought I’d


shine the spotlight on Working Equitation in this issue. The 3 el- ements of this sport (dressage, navigating obstacles, followed by the speed trial) really appealed to me…so, I jumped into judging school along with several of my colleagues from other disciplines.


Features of Working Equi- tation


3 phases: 1. The classic tradition


The side pass. W.E. judges reward the balanced horse with legs crossing rhythmically.


Fig. 8 around barrels, judged on symmetry, bend and balance, with a lead change.


The Working Equitation speed phase is where the cheering happens.


equestrian disci- plines stick to their roots.


English, western


or traditional. You’ll see riders at every show in dressage, hunter and western tack and turnout. Or the beautiful option of tra- ditional attire – in the style of Spain, France, Italy or Portugal.


Shows. There are shows yet to try this season in central, eastern and western On- tario: low-pressure schooling shows, a few licenced shows and virtual shows. Riders can dip their toe in at the walk/trot level if they wish.


Working Equitation appeals to western and english riders.


W.E. gate can be solid or rope.


or DRESSAGE. 2. The OBSTACLE phase, judged on style, finesse, communication be- tween horses and rider. 3. And the fun of the SPEED phase over the obstacles – like show jumping, time plus penalties.


Tradition: The “Working” in Working Equi- tation is built on the tradition of countries that use horses to work cattle – and judges have this


About Lindsay Grice.


“Is it me or my horse?” Horse show judge, coach and specialist in


The livestock pen (rarely containing “live stock”) is


judged on bend, forward rhythm and quality of the direc- tion change or pirouette, outside the pen.


equine behavior, Lindsay Grice loves to help rid- ers solve their “horse puzzles”, sharing keys from the science and research of how horses think and learn.


She coaches riders of all levels to prepare


for competition and mostly, to enjoy the process of riding, not just the results! Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travel-


ling to Ontario farms as a freelance coach. She’s taught the science of equine behavior and learning for horse associations, courses for Uni- versity of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges multiple disciplines and


breeds, holding judging certifications with • AQHA


My friend and colleague in the eventing world says, “I love this sport as it has transitioned me from eventing into some- thing that is similar in format but gives me all 3 phases that challenge me. I call it my "Senior Eventing". It’s a great dis- cipline to put all that you’ve worked to- wards in your riding into “precision riding” - with grace and speed! And you


get to change up your riding attire based on what style you’re riding!!!”


All photos kindly provided by Teresa Finnerty Photography.


• Equestrian Canada • Extreme Cowboy And also judging: • Working Equitation • Hunter/Jumper • Mountain Trail • and some dressage. She loves to share her own insights and sto-


ries learned from 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer. “Why do horses do what they do?” Lindsay says, “In the horse world, our tra-


ditions and the evidence sometimes collide. I love to communicate the WHYs behind the HOWs of riding. “Equitation Science” – it makes life better for horses when we speak in a language they un- derstand!”


www.theridermarketplace.com


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