Whenever we learn something new, we have to first understand what it is we are learning in our mind. After that, we have to be able to physically execute it. Basically, our mind has to teach our body how to do the task at hand. This starts very early in our childhood with learning simple things like graduating from eating with our fingers to using utensils, like fork, knife and spoon. We have to be able to name them and know which one does what. At first a bit clumsily but with practice and correction we get better and better until one day we actually have presentable table manners. The same goes for learning how to blow your nose, tie your shoes and a myriad of other tasks we have to learn to function on our own and be acceptable in society. Pretty soon these tasks become innate, learned and habitual behaviors and we don’t even have to think about them.
It is no different in learning how to ride. It is very important to know which one of your aids does what, why and how. Regardless of what you are trying to do, you have to be able to imagine it in your mind, connect it to intention and then be able to use the right aids. You should be able to name and to use those aids properly in a way to create or correct your conversation with the horse. After that comes repetition. Think back to your childhood, how many times did your parents have to explain to you how to use a fork and knife or how to hold the shoelace to tie a bow?
In riding the best gait to learn is in the walk. For example, the use of the direct or indirect rein, the opening or neck/bearing rein, your driving leg versus the holding leg, half seat, full seat, light seat, the different releases, flexion, counter bend, shoulder in, etc., should be done slowly and methodically in the walk first, so you and your horse can be on the same page and understand each other. No matter what new thing you are learning, give yourself the time to mentally and physically understand it in the walk, then move onto the trot, and once that works great, do it in the canter.
We learn it in the walk, practice it in the trot and use it in the canter. Regardless of whether you are just wanting to improve your riding, or you are competing in the Hunters, Jumpers or Dressage this method will produce results. If you feel that your horse isn’t responding the way he should or you’re not getting the desired result, go back to the walk and methodically and slowly take yourself through the correct steps. If there is a mistake somewhere in your sequence, you are more likely to figure it out in the walk than the trot or canter.
When you Learn it, you have an intellectual concept of what you want to do, and you are trying to put it into practice with your body. Then you Know it, meaning you can put intention and execution together. After that comes Owning it. To me that means you are now operating in the realm of innate. You no longer have to have an intellectual process to get you to the right action or tool, because you have practiced it correctly so many times that you can recall it immediately and go from intention to execution lightning fast, which is what you will need on course.
Juliana Zunde 