32/ SEPTEMBER/ OCTOBER 2021 THE RIDER


The Science of how Horses Think & Learn Heads up! Heels down!: the line between poise and pose.


By Lindsay Grice. Eques- trian Canada coach, horse show judge, specialist in equine behaviour. Beautifully turned out


and precisely positioned equitation riders head up the placings at the top shows each summer. Les- sons devoted to arena laps without stirrups and in two point position pay divi- dends in the show ring. But have you ever


considered the line be- tween equitation poise and pose?


Dignity, effective-


ness, calm and confidence describe a rider with poise. There’s an air of assurance that marks an educated and experienced horseman (or woman). “Hands still. Look up.


More leg. Half halt. Use your seat!” Yet, when rider education leans toward WHAT to do and not ex- actly HOW and WHY to


do it, equitation can amount to pose. A rider who poses may have the veneer of correct riding, without the underlying foundation of horseman- ship.


This was a missing


piece in my education as a young rider and I figured, as many young riders do, that the horse is like a ma- chine which comes pre- programmed with all the buttons in place. “He’s not doing what I want!” “He should know better!” As a coach, I opt to


teach riders early how to communicate effectively with a horse - this non- English-speaking 1000 lb., social grazing, prey animal - even as priority to correct diagonals and keeping shoulders back. No question, riders


must have the balance and stability to use their aids effectively. I’m thankful


for the stability I gained early – I needed it. We rode by the motto “Seven falls makes a rider!” I learned how to think


through horse training puzzles when I began training horses myself. Riders with poise are:


1. Problem solvers.When things go wrong in the schooling ring or show ring, these riders recover quickly and with tact, min- imizing the negative effect of the snag. They are ready with a plan B instead of giving up when plan A fails. When they get stuck, rather than blaming the horse, they take the re- sponsibility to devise a dif- ferent way of presenting a lesson to the horse.


2. Conversational Riding effectively can be boiled down to a signal/response or pressure/ release con-


Riders with pose are fluid with elastic joints, following the motion of the horse. ness.


versation between horse and human. Your hands send the signals such as slow, turn and flex to your horse. The legs create pressures to indicate mov- ing forward and laterally. Each signal is precise and distinct. As the horse re- sponds to each signal, the rider responds in turn by relaxing the pressure.


3. Still but not stiff. Judges expect to see this subtle communication be- tween horse and human. Riders with pose are fluid with elastic joints, follow- ing the motion of the horse. Dressage judges mark a box for rider posi- tion (stability, alignment and posture) AND rider ef- fectiveness (clarity and in- dependence of aids). AQHA equitation and western


horsemanship


judges give a score for rider form AND effective-


I’ve found that when


novice riders are taught earlier not only how sit on a horse but how to think like a horse there are far fewer falls. When coached to consider how a horse learns and perceives their world and carefully con- sider every signal or aid they send to that horse, there are fewer frustra- tions. Posture and position refined after the practical principals.


A rider who poses may have the veneer of correct riding, without the underlying foundation of horsemanship.


equine behaviour. After 25 years as a competitor and horse trainer, Lindsay enjoys teaching clinics and travelling to Ontario farms as a freelance instructor. She’s taught the science of equine behaviour and learning for horse associations, courses for University of Guelph and therapeutic riding facilities. Lindsay judges many disciplines and breeds and serves on an EC judging


committee


Why do horses do what they do? “In the horse world, our traditions and evidence sometimes collide – I love to help riders solve their horse puzzles with logic, patience and equitation science.” www/lindsaygriceridingcoach.com


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About Lindsay Grice. A horse show judge and certified riding coach with a special interest in


Call (905) 387-1900


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