QUESTION: Could we have a discussion on balance, rounding, collection: when and how? Most riders in training level are concerned if their horse is not "collected". Perhaps a discussion of when a horse/rider is ready to round the horse, and why it is not necessary/required at training level?
Answer submitted by Maryal Barnett:
My thoughts on Collection at Training Level:
Following the concept of the Scale of Training, the order is Rhythm, Suppleness, Reaching for the Bit, Impulsion, Straightness and finally Collection. Using this concept, it is important and necessary that the qualities preceding Collection are addressed in the training of the horse. If they are not present in the horse's body and mind, undue stress will be put upon the horse and he will suffer. That is why collection is not required until Second Level. Training Level tests the horse's development of the first three qualities of Rhythm, Suppleness, and Reaching for the Contact. In addition to those qualities, First Level tests Impulsion and Straightness so that the horse will be ready for the Collection expected at Second Level.
Of course we are always trying to improve our horse's balance throughout his training. The important factor here is that the goal of putting the horse more on the hind quarters is done systematically by using the outline from the Scale of Training; and riding the horse from the back to the front. This can be done by doing simple transitions, first from gait to gait and then transitions within the gait, keeping in mind the expectation that the horse uses his hindquarters in a functional manner that results in building up his hindquarter and abdominal strength. Using figures such as circles, serpentines and single loops should be incorporated while making transitions so that the concept of lateral suppleness is also addressed. Of primary importance is that the rider has developed a balanced, supple and effective seat, otherwise the rider will use their hands to maintain their own balance making it impossible to correctly develop the horse.
Answer submitted by Christy Bigelow:
(The purpose of Training Level Tests" - "To confirm that the horse's muscles are supple & loose and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm accepting contact with the bit.")
I would have to say that all of this, in degrees, is/should be required in Training Level. Balance, rounding and collection all come from a horse that is correctly working off his hind end through a soft, supple back in a steady forward rhythm, all of this takes time to develop, and you should see a progression through the levels of training. Ie. A horse in Training Level should not be carrying the same frame as a Second or Third Level horse. And for collection-They don’t call for collected work until I believe 2nd Level. It is of my opinion you must first establish Forward Movement, Impulsion and Rhythm, then once you have the horse in front of the leg, then you can work on collection.
Balance-again, need to have the horse working off his hind end, light on the forehand and you will get balance.
Rounding-again have to have that horse working off the hind end, see too many riders pulling their horses in with, as I have heard taught, “20 pounds of pressure in each hand” and their horse is completely pulling themselves along on the forehand and behind the rider and the rider’s leg making any attempt at impulsion, rounding, collection, and forward work impossible. Sure you can get the head down but the horse is not “round” as he is not working back to front. I also feel that “roundness” should be judged on the horse’s build and muscle development and freedom in movement- not by the fact that the horse can put its head to it’s chest, and the simple fact that due to horse body types, not all horses can carry themselves in identical “round” frames.
I think training level horses should be working in a light forward step, from the hind end, through their backs out the riders hand in a soft frame demonstrating the horses ability to use it’s back by raising it up to the rider, thus holding the head lower, responsive to the riders aids with light contact.
Answer submitted by Diane Marcina:
All 4 training level tests state right there on the sheet, and I quote; “Purpose - To confirm that the horse’s muscles are supple and loose and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit”. I repeat, all 4 tests have the SAME purpose, even though they are progressively a little ‘harder’ to ride. Now lets go back to the training scale; “Rhythm – Suppleness – Contact – Impulsion – Straightness – Collection Bill’s question asks about Balance – Rounding – Collection, at Training Level
The training scale MUST be addressed in order 1st Rhythm – if you don’t have rhythm, the rest will never happen. So riders must 1st develop rhythm (lo and behold, the word is in the ‘purpose’ for the training level tests!). It is also one of the reasons I do not believe in pairing green horses with green riders. Neither one has ‘rhythm’ at first. Experienced horses usually have rhythm and can teach it to their riders. Experienced riders can teach rhythm to their horses, with their bodies not their hands. Think of a metronome folks!!
2nd Suppleness – Oh look, that word is also in the ‘purpose’ of the training level tests. Horses must develop suppleness laterally and longitudinally (I won’t go into details on those, please get help from an experienced instructor). So those 2 address the 1st 2 parts of Bill’s question 3rd Contact – also in the ‘purpose’ (we don’t call it classical riding/training for nothing now don’t we??). Repeat, it says contact not ‘on the bit’, I think that’s what Bill means by ‘rounding’). To me, contact means no resistance from either the horse’s mouth or the rider’s hands. A steady, consistent feel from both. That can easily be shown to the rider from the ground. It is an easily understood concept. Now doing it is an entirely different matter!!! Oh well that’s where experience and lots of time in the saddle comes in. Perfect Practice makes for good riding, not just practice!!
The next 3 in the training scale, I will not address. It would take too much time AND it should not be ‘thought’ to Training Level riders/horses.
So the word ‘collection’ in Bill’s question should be discarded.
That said, when horses develop the 1st 3; Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, (to be honest we need to add some Impulsion here too (I said Impulsion, not speed, again talk to a good instructor) then a ‘miracle’ happens; Horses start going ‘on the bit’.
At Training Level, riders should be taught about rhythm through out the test, at all 3 gaits.
Bending (suppleness) in circles and turns
A steady contact at all times
Accurate transitions when asked
The results will always be good marks
Yes we have all had judges comment on a horse ‘not being on the bit’ with the results that a lot of riders ‘see saw’ on their horses mouth to get their heads down. I tell my students to ignore it!!! And I keep going to shows where the judges are certified and should know better (I did say should!!)
Happy riding everyone.
Please remember we do this for fun, not for ribbons
Answer submitted by Sharon Rowe/Tracy Rowe McEwan:
Hello Bill!! Very good question! Horses at training level are not required to be collected. In training level we as trainers are building the working gaits as well as starting lengthening at the w/t/c. Training level riders should be concentrating their horses on straight, forward, tempo and relaxation. Following the training scale. The riders themselves should be working on seat, legs, quiet hands and independent aids allowing them to reach the goal of pushing their horses to the bridle and allowing them to round into a receiving hand.
The levels of Dressage are there to build the conditioning of the horse, the training of the rider and to allow them to reach the next level. Building blocks if you will. They are very important steps and should never be over looked. The basics are truly the most important part. The reason that collection is not required at training level is because at this level the horses and riders do not have solid enough basics (training and muscle development) to collect. If you asked a training level horse to collect you would be skipping over the beginning steps of straightness,forward, tempo and relaxation. You would not have a solid enough foundation to carry you on all the way to Grand Prix (or what you wish to achieve in Dressage)
Answer submitted by Shelby Wyrostek:
Bill really asks us two questions, questions that lots of riders ask, especially those who are new to the whole 'dressage thing'. When should you collect your horse? How and when should you get your horse 'round'? Lucky for us, there is a VERY simple way to find this out! The first place to turn to is the purpose printed on the front of the USEF Dressage test sheets.
Training Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse's muscles are supple and loose and that it moves freely forward in a clear and steady rhythm, accepting contact with the bit.
First Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse, in addition to the requirements of Training Level, has developed thrust (pushing power) and achieved a degree of balance and throughness.
Second Level Purpose: To confirm that the horse, having demonstrated that it has achieved the thrust (pushing power) required in First Level, now shows that through additional training it accepts more weight on the hindquarters (collection), shows the thrust required at the medium paces and is reliably on the bit. A greater degree of straightness, bending, suppleness, throughness and self-carriage is required than at First Level.
So, as we read through these purpose statements, we see that collection is not required until second level! Bill mentions that riders at training level sometimes worry about having their horse collected enough. Since collection is NOT a requirement at that level, there's really NO need to worry. Whew, isn't it nice to make your life simpler?! At training level, riders need only be concerned with encouraging their horse to move freely forward in a steady rhythm, maintaining relaxation (loose and supple muscles), and demonstrating that their horse readily accepts contact with the bridle. Of course, those of you riding training level can probably attest that these are NOT always easy tasks!
Personally, I do not like the term 'roundness', as most people get the wrong idea from this term. When people say a horse is 'round', they are referring to a horse that is stepping well under his body with his hind legs, moving with his back raised, and carrying his head and neck in a soft manner to meet the riders hands. In order to get to this point, there are a lot of little pieces that have to be put together. As always, we address the hind end first. Until a horse has the strength and balance to engage the hind end, he cannot raise the back and 'drape' into the riders hands. So, we work on encouraging an active and reaching hind leg by working on strengthening and engaging exercises such as circles and shoulder-in.
Once the horse has developed the strength to maintain a modicum of engagement with the haunches, we see a vast improvement in the entire balance of the horse. At this point in time, we can begin to address what is happening in the back and the neck. Many riders are tempted to address the head and neck of their horse because it's what they can see. The way to roundness is NOT through use of the hand alone! Are there ways to get a horse's head down into a 'frame'? Yes, there are many: draw reins, German martingales, neck stretchers, chambogues, degogues, and a wide range of other artificial devices. None of these devices can positively affect the hind end of the horse. However, once a rider has properly developed the hind end of the horse, the front end will virtually fall into place, providing that the rider is offering a consistent and elastic contact.
To recap:
When should you collect your horse? Collection is not required until second level. Until then, your horse should be moving freely forward into contact, demonstrating progressively more consistent balance, suppleness and thrust.
How and when should you get your horse 'round'? A horse cannot be 'round' until he has developed the strength and balance to maintain active and engaged hindquarters, become soft and swinging through the back, and learned to seek contact with the riders hand through the bridle. Generally, this does not all come together until second level.