Amber and Legolas: Sustaining Collection 1


Posted on 22nd July, by Admin in Blog. 6 Comments

Amber and Legolas: Sustaining Collection 1

San Diego Horse Trainer Will Faerber from Art2Ride gives an update on Legolas and demonstrates collection.





6 responses to “Amber and Legolas: Sustaining Collection 1”

  1. shelby says:

    Fantastic! I have been watching Amber and Legolas from the beginning what a transformation. You talk a bit on the pressure of the reins? Watching this video it looks like Amber is gently holding the reins, is this true when a horse has been trained correctly..?

    • Kali says:

      Yes, a horse that has been correctly trained works on the weight of the rein.

      • shelby says:

        I understand that, but I am trying to understand more about the weight of the reins, it appears by Ambers riding that she is not having to hold the reins very tightly, as other riders I watch it appears that they are, could Will talk about this more on his site perhaps?

        • Kali says:

          Answered by Associate Trainer Sarah Montrowl:
          When I describe the weight of the reins to my students, I try to use the physical example of a very pleasant handshake. You want a communicative and positive contact with the reins that is dynamic in nature as the horse takes more or less connection to the bit. Meaning that whether we are riding in the stretch or starting to bring the horse up to collection we are aspiring to keep a light following contact by using our other riding aids (legs, back) to increase impulsion or bring the back up to create this contact. I try to explain to students that you will easily ride on “the weight of the reins” when the horse is connected and working over it’s back. That is why it is in the stretch, where most horses most easily connect and stay connected, that you first feel that dynamic contact. When the horses body is working correctly, the rein become a light support that simply indicates the level of the frame

          • Kali says:

            Answered by Associate trainer Amber Matusek: I think of weight of the reins as being just that. There is no backwards pressure. You just are holding the weight of the reins. If you have to pull to the move the horse around then the horse is not off the leg properly and not soft in the mouth. There are times of course when you have to take a little more and give a little more when you are teaching the horse to have “self carriage”, soften to the bit, and reach out with the their head and neck to seek the contact.

  2. Carol Ernsdorf says:

    Wonderful! Just so inspiring for us. Great riding, Amber! What a fantastic horse. Seems to become more effortless with his advancement.

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