- To be very definite about how the horse is 'allowed' to use his energy. A horse who habitually runs away when he's excited learns so many bad habits - he learns the rider can be braced upon, that the length and speed of the steps is his decision, that falling onto the forehand and stiffening is permissible. All of these are very difficult habits to break. Instead, hot horses should be taught to go "up" instead of "out" - to make their steps higher and more energetic rather than running, rushing, lengthening or quickening.
- To be very proactive about the length and speed of the trot steps, and later the canter steps. Riding proactively is another phrase for 'shaping' the gaits. The rider's seat is a powerful tool for this, whether rising or sitting trot is used. Sitting trot can be very useful at early stages of the horse's education (often the rider does it better without stirrups, too) rather than exclusively using sitting trot on a trained horse, ie, for lateral work or the beginnings of collection.
- Often as riders we are taught to follow, follow, follow, accepting what the horse offers in terms of steps, cadence, impulsion, swing. All of these elements can be positively influenced by how the rider sits on the horse, which is why schoolmaster horses are so valuable. By showing riders how a truly engaged back feels, they can attempt to recreate the same feelings on their greener horses. Alas, not everyone has access to such a tool! Instead of following, a person training a hot horse needs to learn to lead. A great example of this is a horse being ridden under tempo and slowing the trot to the point it almost drops to walk. The rider can motivate the horse to keep trotting by activating their own seat - doing a trampoline bounce and creating the rhythmical momentum that the horse should (and instinctively does) match.
- Hot horses should be schooled at trot 'below tempo' that is, slower than the speed of his natural rhythm. After several weeks or even months of consistent work this tempo the horse learns to relax and then gradually to lengthen the steps without quickening, creating a good working trot. This can be performed in gradually more stimulating environments, teaching the horse to channel its natural impulsion in a positive way.
- Finding the natural tempo of the horse is very interesting. Often horses with a slow natural tempo, coupled with a forward-going nature, are very tense. Riding these horses at or below their natural tempo often has a dramatic relaxing effect. (A horse with a slow natural tempo and a LAZY mind is even more difficult! They need to be ridden in front of the leg but never chased out of balance. I think I will devote a whole post to this skill one day soon!)
- To only use two reins to make a downwards transition. My 3-2-1 Halt exercise, also known as "Off the Cliff" is a terrific start for a forward going horse, provided the rider is fully committed to it. Done correctly, the halt transitions create compliance, submission (the same thing?? ask the FEI!) engagement and a great connection between the rein aid and the hind leg. If the rider's attempt to shape the trot or canter is going pear-shaped they should make a full halt transition, give the rein completely and start again with a soft contact. Horse and rider can very quickly fall into the trap of holding too firmly on the rein and it takes two to pull!
- Hot horses have often been 'hung onto' to maintain the tempo and this can result in conflict rein behaviours such as reefing the reins out of the rider's hands or diving. These horses get very good at schooling their riders! Riders of hot horses need to ensure the horse never moves the rider. Ninja-like reflexes need to be used to block these attempts to snatch rein or pull the rider forward. Teaching the horse to confidently take the rein forward and down, on the rider's terms only, can be challenging but often really helps this kind of horse to have a 'safe place' to stretch to.
More to come on this topic...
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