Training tip: Get your horse in the zone
San Diego Horse Trainer Will Faerber from Art2Ride discusses training tips for horses.
11 responses to “Training tip: Get your horse in the zone”
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Carol Ernsdorf says: Fantastic information and work, wish everyone would watch and do this work for their horse! I love having a set plan and working in this everyday with my 20 year old mare. She is definitely improving but will enjoy the work and taking care of her for as long as it takes to muscle and round her! Aloha!
Phil Green says: Hi I know this is an old post. But is it important that the horse works on the lunge stretching satisfactory before doing mounted work. My horse goes in and out of stretching whilst on the lunge. But on the mounted work he rushes like crazy in the trot. I do get some short periods of a few strides relaxed and stretching but then back to rushing again. How do I rectify this rushing. Thanks.
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Kali says:
Don’t bother to try to do it mounted until they are consistent on the lunge, then you will be able to succeed in the mounted work. It’s that simple.
Josephine Shelton says: My mare that i bought is very very hollow. When I lunge her she does not stretch over her back and she stays hollow. When I do ride her she WILL stretch under saddle very well. I think lunging was something a previous owner used to abuse her. How should I proceed getting her to accept lunging?
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Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainers:
Maja Söderberg I’d start with the WIH. That is usually what we recommend in the beginning. If she is stretching nicely during the WIH and it looks like she is comfortable you can introduce what we call a “semi WIH”. It’s when you are quite close to the horse but you have a lounging line. (Remember to stay out of the kick zone) This way the horse recognize the work and will probably be able to relax and understand what you want. I would not start trotting until I’m sure that she is comfortable on the loungeline when it’s a bit longer. Otherwise the circle might get to small and you work won’t be effective nor will the horse be able to push up through it’s back. Furthermore I would say that mounted work isn’t something to rush. If the horse can stretch in the walk, that’s great. As long as she can carry her back with you on it it’s okay to ride. But remember that you will gain so much more putting time into the ground work for a while.
For my own horse the lounging was playtime with the previous owner. So it’s been a journey making her understand what I want and that it’s work, not play. But with patience I think your horse (or any horse) will come around 🙂
Best of luck!Cherisse LaSalle I would recommend starting with Work in Hand because you will be able to influence your horse’s body more easily. Even if she starts out tense and hollow, you will be able to influence her inside hind leg to step further under her belly which will cause her to push up through her back and stretch down with her neck. Then once you can get her stretching and relaxed in the WIH, you can attach a lunge line and stay very close to her doing WIH with the lunge line instead of the reins. Gradually you begin to ask her to move her body away from you (never back away from her) until you have her far enough away to actually lunge. If she gets tense again, you can just gather up your lunge line and do WIH again until she relaxes. You may struggle with WIH for a while if you aren’t used to it, but you’ll get it! There are several great videos and blog articles available to help you. And of course we are here to help you! I hope that helps. 🙂
Allison Emily Brunelli Start with WIH and as she accepts the aids from you from the ground increase slowly the distance between you and her. I highly recommend you include voice aids while you’re close to her in WIH; they will come in handy as you move her further away.
Faith in Oregon says: I just discovered you on the internet and love this information on the importance of stretching down, teaching our horse relaxation, and working in-hand. I have an 11 yr old OTTB gelding I have had for a little over a year and have been working with a trainer to rehab him to be a “normal” riding horse. She specializes in hunter/jumper/equitation. When I told her I wanted to employ lunging to relaxation, encouraging the stretch-down, her response was to caution not to do it too much because he will not want to come “up” once he is relaxed and ready to work (his topline is not bad and he has the strength to stay round while he is under her saddle. I am still a newbie learning to get and keep a horse on the bit, so relaxation for both of us is super important to me.) Is there such thing as too much stretching down?
BTW since we have begun this work he is moving beautifully and “in the zone” so much better so far.
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You cannot stretch too much as long as you are doing it correctly.
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Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainers:
Amber Matusek: You cannot stretch too much as long as you are doing it correctly.Katherine Potter: This is a common comment from other trainers that he won’t be able to come back up to the working frame. This is nonsense. No need to tell her so. You will find out if you keep going. Great questions. I hope you can keep with it as you already see the improvement. Love to see a video.
Miriam Johansson: The horse will come up when it’s ready and strong enough. If the horse is weak in the topline it will go behind the vertical as you ask it to come up. That’s a sign that it’s not ready yet. So it takes a lot of time before the horse is strong enough, therefore some people will say it won’t come up again. They didn’t have the patience to do it right.
Ekaterina Krylova: I agree with Katherine Potter, we hear so often from other people (not only trainers, but also riders) “such kind of stretching is bad for horse (LOL)”, “we never let our horses to stretch so low”, “when do you plan to work in high frame” etc. It’s because of lack of knowledge and biomechanics of horse, so don’t think about it) If you see progress with your horse with stretching (and of course you do) – just continue it. CAT@A2R
Cherisse LaSalle: A common concern many trainers have for the low stretching is that it will put them too much on the forehand and you’ll never be able to get them to come up and off the forehand. This is not true at all, but very few people have seen the end result of good training these days. If you look at the more recent videos of Legolas, you can clearly see how much he is lifted off the forehand no matter whether he is in a full stretch to the ground or “lifted up” into a collected frame. He has a great deal of freedom in his shoulders and thrust from behind that could not exist if he were on his forehand. Not to mention if you cover his head/neck with your hand you can clearly see his withers are raised higher than his hind end. You can also see how light Amber’s contact is with the bit even in collection. So the lie that it will make them lean on the bit is silly. I’m so glad you’ve chosen the A2R way of training because I know if you stick with it you’ll be amazed at the transformation of your horse. You’ll be amazed at the lightness of their connection and the harmony it creates between you two.
Kristen says: I just found this page on the internet and I’ve been binge watching much of the stretching, lunging, and WIH videos. I have a 9 year old gelding that I want to re-school in this manner. He’s mostly been a trail horse and ridden western on a loose rein. He’s never been asked to collect nor has he ever been ridden with much contact. His mouth is soft. But, he’s never been asked to accept any contact. He was lunged in a round pen as a youngster, more to tire him and get the energy out than to ‘work’. So he only knew how to trot really fast and lope really fast. He was never asked to walk when lunging. Over the years he has learned how to work on a lunge line but not like your videos show. He has a good mind, he learns fast and he wants to please. He has no physical limitations and he’s physically fit. I recently started him on a lunge line again and this time I am focused on teaching him to ‘work’ correctly. I’m wondering how long it normally takes for them to stretch down and over their back. In just a few days he has gone from a slightly elevated neck and head to being level across the topline. Do I just keep working him on the lunge line at the walk until he continues to relax more and more until finally he is stretched as far as he is able? And then at that point do work on the trot? Are there additional exercises we can do to encourage this? Your videos are all amazing but all the horses in them already seem to know how to stretch long and low. I need to know how to get them to this point. Thanks!
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Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainer Karli starman:
It sounds like you have an amazing start!I think from the sound of it are doing really well, and I would encourage you to just keep up your patience and persistence doing what your doing and you will get there!
Regarding walking on the lunge line. I have found if they are unsure of what you are asking and have difficulty relaxing, start with the work in hand. Sometimes this can be challenging to figure out as the handler, as your hands have to be quite coordinated while walking, holding reins, whips, and directing the horse etc. But this will give him some time to figure it as you do as well. Then you can transition between the work in hand and lunging and maintain the same stretch. There are lots of how to start the WIH videos.
Understanding how to maintain a contact can seem a little different, especially from a western background. I like to think of it as no different than simple pressure and release. For example, you ‘pressure’ lightly the elevated posture, by waiting with a soft hand and activating the inside hind. Then when they soften into that by stretching down you, stop asking the inside hind for more and meet their softness with a soft hand. It can kind of feel like holding someone’s hand while walking or dancing. The contact is not used as a ‘pressure’ in this way, but as a part of a feeling release that they can really rely on to follow them. This opens the door for them to then follow this contact to a more elevated posture later.
Regarding trotting; you start trotting when they offer it, or you decide you would like to try it. If they stiffen and brace or run and remain that way for more than a circle or two you come back to a walk. Then you checkin and try again in a couple weeks. In this way you work completely at their pace respecting them both mentally and physically. (*just a note, we often joking call it ‘Art2walk’ because you will spend more time in the walk than you ever thought!) 😋
I think that covers all your questions, but don’t hesitate to ask more questions as you go on!!
Hope to see more from you in the future 💖💖
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Also answered By Art2Ride Associate Apprentice Julie:
Hello,
great that you find art2ride!
Karli gave you a lot good tips, I would also start first with WIH. You could help yourself also with Chambon, so that he understands better, which kind of stretch do you want. He will feel good in the stretch position so when he understands this, he will start to search for the stretch on his own. It is important to check that the lower muscle of the neck is relaxed, if not, than he can’t lift his back correctly. So if you asked of any additional exercises, invite a physio to lose his blockades. Even if he has no visible issues it will for sure help you in your work, of course only if you have a good professional. The stretch must come from the hind legs, so it is also important to observe the movement of his hind legs. You shall see that the walk is getting longer and he is stepping more under his belly. Only with active hind legs and relaxed stretched neck the back can lift up.
Tendency to be in hurry is better than a lazy horse as the needed activity is already there and when he relaxes in the neck and back, he will for sure reduce the speed also. It is different with every horse how long does it take, but they learn pretty quickly to stretch, the back lifting takes longer, to build up a strong top line takes almost two years. Very important thing is as Karli already wrote do not continue to a next step until you manage the one before.And when he is relaxed and happy in walk by doing WIH, you can take a lunge and prolong the distance every day until he is on a circle in walk without even noticing it. I prefer lunging in the arena than in round pan, as like this I can walk with the horse and do not have to rotate him on only one circle.
Hope that helps and wish you good luck with your horse!
Fantastic information and work, wish everyone would watch and do this work for their horse! I love having a set plan and working in this everyday with my 20 year old mare. She is definitely improving but will enjoy the work and taking care of her for as long as it takes to muscle and round her! Aloha!
Hi I know this is an old post. But is it important that the horse works on the lunge stretching satisfactory before doing mounted work. My horse goes in and out of stretching whilst on the lunge. But on the mounted work he rushes like crazy in the trot. I do get some short periods of a few strides relaxed and stretching but then back to rushing again. How do I rectify this rushing. Thanks.
Don’t bother to try to do it mounted until they are consistent on the lunge, then you will be able to succeed in the mounted work. It’s that simple.
My mare that i bought is very very hollow. When I lunge her she does not stretch over her back and she stays hollow. When I do ride her she WILL stretch under saddle very well. I think lunging was something a previous owner used to abuse her. How should I proceed getting her to accept lunging?
Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainers:
Maja Söderberg I’d start with the WIH. That is usually what we recommend in the beginning. If she is stretching nicely during the WIH and it looks like she is comfortable you can introduce what we call a “semi WIH”. It’s when you are quite close to the horse but you have a lounging line. (Remember to stay out of the kick zone) This way the horse recognize the work and will probably be able to relax and understand what you want. I would not start trotting until I’m sure that she is comfortable on the loungeline when it’s a bit longer. Otherwise the circle might get to small and you work won’t be effective nor will the horse be able to push up through it’s back. Furthermore I would say that mounted work isn’t something to rush. If the horse can stretch in the walk, that’s great. As long as she can carry her back with you on it it’s okay to ride. But remember that you will gain so much more putting time into the ground work for a while.
For my own horse the lounging was playtime with the previous owner. So it’s been a journey making her understand what I want and that it’s work, not play. But with patience I think your horse (or any horse) will come around 🙂
Best of luck!
Cherisse LaSalle I would recommend starting with Work in Hand because you will be able to influence your horse’s body more easily. Even if she starts out tense and hollow, you will be able to influence her inside hind leg to step further under her belly which will cause her to push up through her back and stretch down with her neck. Then once you can get her stretching and relaxed in the WIH, you can attach a lunge line and stay very close to her doing WIH with the lunge line instead of the reins. Gradually you begin to ask her to move her body away from you (never back away from her) until you have her far enough away to actually lunge. If she gets tense again, you can just gather up your lunge line and do WIH again until she relaxes. You may struggle with WIH for a while if you aren’t used to it, but you’ll get it! There are several great videos and blog articles available to help you. And of course we are here to help you! I hope that helps. 🙂
Allison Emily Brunelli Start with WIH and as she accepts the aids from you from the ground increase slowly the distance between you and her. I highly recommend you include voice aids while you’re close to her in WIH; they will come in handy as you move her further away.
I just discovered you on the internet and love this information on the importance of stretching down, teaching our horse relaxation, and working in-hand. I have an 11 yr old OTTB gelding I have had for a little over a year and have been working with a trainer to rehab him to be a “normal” riding horse. She specializes in hunter/jumper/equitation. When I told her I wanted to employ lunging to relaxation, encouraging the stretch-down, her response was to caution not to do it too much because he will not want to come “up” once he is relaxed and ready to work (his topline is not bad and he has the strength to stay round while he is under her saddle. I am still a newbie learning to get and keep a horse on the bit, so relaxation for both of us is super important to me.) Is there such thing as too much stretching down?
BTW since we have begun this work he is moving beautifully and “in the zone” so much better so far.
You cannot stretch too much as long as you are doing it correctly.
Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainers:
Amber Matusek: You cannot stretch too much as long as you are doing it correctly.
Katherine Potter: This is a common comment from other trainers that he won’t be able to come back up to the working frame. This is nonsense. No need to tell her so. You will find out if you keep going. Great questions. I hope you can keep with it as you already see the improvement. Love to see a video.
Miriam Johansson: The horse will come up when it’s ready and strong enough. If the horse is weak in the topline it will go behind the vertical as you ask it to come up. That’s a sign that it’s not ready yet. So it takes a lot of time before the horse is strong enough, therefore some people will say it won’t come up again. They didn’t have the patience to do it right.
Ekaterina Krylova: I agree with Katherine Potter, we hear so often from other people (not only trainers, but also riders) “such kind of stretching is bad for horse (LOL)”, “we never let our horses to stretch so low”, “when do you plan to work in high frame” etc. It’s because of lack of knowledge and biomechanics of horse, so don’t think about it) If you see progress with your horse with stretching (and of course you do) – just continue it. CAT@A2R
Cherisse LaSalle: A common concern many trainers have for the low stretching is that it will put them too much on the forehand and you’ll never be able to get them to come up and off the forehand. This is not true at all, but very few people have seen the end result of good training these days. If you look at the more recent videos of Legolas, you can clearly see how much he is lifted off the forehand no matter whether he is in a full stretch to the ground or “lifted up” into a collected frame. He has a great deal of freedom in his shoulders and thrust from behind that could not exist if he were on his forehand. Not to mention if you cover his head/neck with your hand you can clearly see his withers are raised higher than his hind end. You can also see how light Amber’s contact is with the bit even in collection. So the lie that it will make them lean on the bit is silly. I’m so glad you’ve chosen the A2R way of training because I know if you stick with it you’ll be amazed at the transformation of your horse. You’ll be amazed at the lightness of their connection and the harmony it creates between you two.
I just found this page on the internet and I’ve been binge watching much of the stretching, lunging, and WIH videos. I have a 9 year old gelding that I want to re-school in this manner. He’s mostly been a trail horse and ridden western on a loose rein. He’s never been asked to collect nor has he ever been ridden with much contact. His mouth is soft. But, he’s never been asked to accept any contact. He was lunged in a round pen as a youngster, more to tire him and get the energy out than to ‘work’. So he only knew how to trot really fast and lope really fast. He was never asked to walk when lunging. Over the years he has learned how to work on a lunge line but not like your videos show. He has a good mind, he learns fast and he wants to please. He has no physical limitations and he’s physically fit. I recently started him on a lunge line again and this time I am focused on teaching him to ‘work’ correctly. I’m wondering how long it normally takes for them to stretch down and over their back. In just a few days he has gone from a slightly elevated neck and head to being level across the topline. Do I just keep working him on the lunge line at the walk until he continues to relax more and more until finally he is stretched as far as he is able? And then at that point do work on the trot? Are there additional exercises we can do to encourage this? Your videos are all amazing but all the horses in them already seem to know how to stretch long and low. I need to know how to get them to this point. Thanks!
Answered by Art2Ride Associate Trainer Karli starman:
It sounds like you have an amazing start!
I think from the sound of it are doing really well, and I would encourage you to just keep up your patience and persistence doing what your doing and you will get there!
Regarding walking on the lunge line. I have found if they are unsure of what you are asking and have difficulty relaxing, start with the work in hand. Sometimes this can be challenging to figure out as the handler, as your hands have to be quite coordinated while walking, holding reins, whips, and directing the horse etc. But this will give him some time to figure it as you do as well. Then you can transition between the work in hand and lunging and maintain the same stretch. There are lots of how to start the WIH videos.
Understanding how to maintain a contact can seem a little different, especially from a western background. I like to think of it as no different than simple pressure and release. For example, you ‘pressure’ lightly the elevated posture, by waiting with a soft hand and activating the inside hind. Then when they soften into that by stretching down you, stop asking the inside hind for more and meet their softness with a soft hand. It can kind of feel like holding someone’s hand while walking or dancing. The contact is not used as a ‘pressure’ in this way, but as a part of a feeling release that they can really rely on to follow them. This opens the door for them to then follow this contact to a more elevated posture later.
Regarding trotting; you start trotting when they offer it, or you decide you would like to try it. If they stiffen and brace or run and remain that way for more than a circle or two you come back to a walk. Then you checkin and try again in a couple weeks. In this way you work completely at their pace respecting them both mentally and physically. (*just a note, we often joking call it ‘Art2walk’ because you will spend more time in the walk than you ever thought!) 😋
I think that covers all your questions, but don’t hesitate to ask more questions as you go on!!
Hope to see more from you in the future 💖💖
Also answered By Art2Ride Associate Apprentice Julie:
Hello,
great that you find art2ride!
Karli gave you a lot good tips, I would also start first with WIH. You could help yourself also with Chambon, so that he understands better, which kind of stretch do you want. He will feel good in the stretch position so when he understands this, he will start to search for the stretch on his own. It is important to check that the lower muscle of the neck is relaxed, if not, than he can’t lift his back correctly. So if you asked of any additional exercises, invite a physio to lose his blockades. Even if he has no visible issues it will for sure help you in your work, of course only if you have a good professional. The stretch must come from the hind legs, so it is also important to observe the movement of his hind legs. You shall see that the walk is getting longer and he is stepping more under his belly. Only with active hind legs and relaxed stretched neck the back can lift up.
Tendency to be in hurry is better than a lazy horse as the needed activity is already there and when he relaxes in the neck and back, he will for sure reduce the speed also. It is different with every horse how long does it take, but they learn pretty quickly to stretch, the back lifting takes longer, to build up a strong top line takes almost two years. Very important thing is as Karli already wrote do not continue to a next step until you manage the one before.
And when he is relaxed and happy in walk by doing WIH, you can take a lunge and prolong the distance every day until he is on a circle in walk without even noticing it. I prefer lunging in the arena than in round pan, as like this I can walk with the horse and do not have to rotate him on only one circle.
Hope that helps and wish you good luck with your horse!