Training in the Right Way: Strength and Agility

Because you probably wouldn’t sign up for an Iron Man without first training for it.

Dressage training is supposed to be the process of training ANY horse to be a better riding horse. The more the horse learns, in theory, the easier it is to communicate with and therefore complete more complex tasks with. Although competition dressage training often is more focused on training for the dressage test, that is not what the original intention (and original judging requirements) were for competitive dressage. Initially, it was designed to give riders and trainers a way to determine how their training measured up to the theoretical ideal of the training process. That said, it is critically important to understand the meanings and reasons for some of the terms we use to describe dressage training and what to look for when observing training and competition (and videos and photos), regardless of whether you intend to compete or just train your horse to be a better whatever you do with him. That, ultimately, is the main purpose of my articles. To provide education and knowledge for riders to understand and improve their eye and understanding of what dressage training is supposed to be. While there will always be some differences in practice and theory, good horse training is always recognizable to the educated eye. That said, it absolutely is necessary that we remember and understand that limited knowledge is limited judgment.

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A good dose of empathy is required when thinking of training, riding, or competing your horse. For instance, if you were asked to go run an obstacle course today, not even an “American Ninja” level one, just something equivalent to what you ask of your horse, could you do it? How much strength and agility training would you need in order to perform on an equal level of athleticism as you require from your horse every day? While there is certainly a difference between the average weekend warrior human athlete and any seriously competitive athlete, we all can agree that the better prepared one is prior to attempting their favorite sport, the better things generally tend to turn out.

But even if we can all agree on the above points, I regularly see riders — often very kind and well-intentioned individuals — asking their horses to perform activities that the horse is not physically and mentally prepared for. Usually, the rider is trying to compete at a level that their horse is not strong and supple enough to achieve or they have a young horse that has not had enough training to be successfully ridden. In both cases, even though it isn’t intentional, the rider is putting their horse (and themselves) at a disadvantage rather than setting them up for success.

Gwyneth and Black Velvet stretching in the walk. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

This is exactly where knowledgeable, classically-based dressage training is necessary!

All horses need strength and agility training to perform their assigned tasks to the best of their abilities. Although the amount of strength and agility training is higher in some equestrian disciplines than others, it is entirely necessary in all equestrian endeavors that require riding the horse. And, as we have discussed previously, that is what the underlying purpose of dressage is: to teach and enable the horse to be better able to carry a rider. All horses need the same basics before they specialize in their different assigned disciplines. This is why we say dressage is for all horses, but not all horses are for dressage.

Not shockingly, horses need physical training to develop balance, suppleness, and strength. Which again, is where dressage training comes in. There was a time, not that long ago, that it was widely accepted and well understood that all riding horses needed the same type of basic training, and as such, dressage exercises are designed to make a horse stronger (better equipped to carry a rider) and more supple (better equipped to respond to a rider’s aids).

Gwyneth and For Willie in piaffe. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

So where am I going with all of this? I’m going down the rabbit hole of pointing out that even if you’ve purchased a talented beast on par with the likes of Valegro, or simply have a nondescript Heinz 57 that you love, you still need to train it in order to be successful in your riding endeavors. Regardless of whether your goals are to “just show third level” or you have FEI aspirations (ESPECIALLY if you have FEI aspirations), you owe it to your horse to properly prepare him for the journey (you will greatly benefit from this too, I promise).

This involves accepting things like training isn’t always riding – there’s groundwork, too! And acknowledging that your timeline is less important than your horse’s — meaning it takes the time that it takes. Your horse doesn’t know that he should be showing second level by the time he’s six, he only knows that he can or cannot do what’s being asked.

Forward Thinking Dressage students working together to train Spanish Walk. Photo (c) Gwyneth McPherson

This also means you need to be diligent in sourcing good, knowledgeable help and be realistic about your own time, skill set, and finances. It takes a lot of all of those resources to bring a horse from backing to Grand Prix, after all.

And remember: limited knowledge is limited judgment.

Gwyneth and Flair in competition at Grand Prix. (c) flatlandsfoto.

Gwyneth McPherson has over 35 years experience competing, training, and teaching dressage.  She began her education in in the late 1970s, riding in her backyard on an 11 hh pony. Her first instructor introduced her to Lendon Gray (1980 and 1988 Olympian). who mentored Gwyneth for a decade during which she achieved her first National Championship in 1984, and her Team and Individual Young Rider Gold Medals in1987.

In 1990 Gwyneth began training with Carol Lavell (1992 Olympian) who further developed Gwyneth as an FEI rider and competitor. Gwyneth achieved a Team Bronze in 1991 and a Team Silver in 1992 in the North American Young Riders Championships, and trained her stallion G’Dur to do all the Grand Prix movements while riding with Carol.

In 2008, while Head Trainer at Pineland Farms, Gwyneth began training with Michael Poulin (Olympian 1992). Michael was trained by Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider for the Spanish Riding School 1937-1955). Michael has shared much of Rochowansky’s knowledge and wisdom with Gwyneth, completing her education as a Grand Prix rider, trainer, and competitor.

Gwyneth’s teaching and training business, Forward Thinking Dressage,is based in Williston, FL. In addition to teaching riders and training, Gwyneth also loves sharing her knowledge of the sport and art of dressage as well as discussing relevant topics pertaining to the training itself and the current competitive landscape.