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| The Sense and Purpose of Dressage, Part III |
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| by Lilian Signe Van Dahn |
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The logical construction of the rider's training comprises four terms:
- Sitting
- Aids
- Feeling
- Influence
All items are very closely linked to each other. Correct aids can only be given from a correct sitting position; only aids used correctly and conscientiously will achieve a feeling and, consequently, influence the horse.
It follows, without a doubt, that a correct sitting position doesn't mean luxury, but signifies an absolute necessity. The sitting position of the rider comprises:
- appearance
- balance, relaxation and the influence on the horse.
The correct outer appearance is generally well-known. One should sit in the deepest part of the saddle. The weight of the rider should be spread over both the seat-bones. The thigh should lie closely to the saddle flap. The lower half of the leg should lie directly behind the girth. The heel is the deepest point in order to reach the lowest position possible for the knee--toes up, heels down. The upper part of the body should sit straight from both hips. The shoulders are free and relaxed; the shoulder blades are drawn together without any stiffness. Elbows, forearms, hands, bit and month should be on the same level. The hands are uppermost (held upright) approximately a hand's breath above the withers, the fingers are closed around the reins with the thumbs on top. The eyes are directed straight ahead.
Balance is very important. Only a well-balanced sitting position assures independence from the movement of the horse.
Relaxation is a necessary condition for a smooth sitting position of the rider and harmony between rider and horse.
Stiffness in the joints and cramped muscles can be overcome by special relaxation exercises.
Going with the movement of the horse prevents the rider from working against the movement and will assure that he gives the aids calmly and firmly. The aids must be given extremely precisely. They can be given only under the condition that the rider sits safely and firmly and that his concentration is directed to the prepared aids.
There are two kinds of aids: pushing and restricting. The importance of the pushing aids far outweighs the restricting aids!
Pushing aids are given by means of weight and thighs. Weight aids can be distributed on both sides, on one side, or they can be taken off the horse altogether (e.g., rising trot, two-point position). The weight-aids on both sides transfer the tension of the croup across both the seat bones directly to t he back of the horse, which produces, in any case, a pushing effect.
The weight-aid on one side results in the ridden horse bringing its own center of gravity in agreement with the rider's displaced center of gravity (e.g., turning in place, transition to the canter, leg-yielding, side-passes). The weight of the saddle is used at rein back and at standing in the stirrups (weight on the knees).
Leg-aids: the forward, pushing, lower half of the leg lies directly behind the girth creating the impulsion, whereas the controlling leg is approximately a hand's breath behind as a passive function. The sideward pushing leg is located at the same height as the controlling leg, but it is active (e.g., half-passes and turns on the haunches only). The legs always lie calmly around the body of the horse. All active leg-aids have to come from the lower part of the leg.
The rein aids. Giving the horse the rein is of special importance. It must follow all other rein-aids and must be accompanied, as all the others, by forward pushing aids. By giving the horse the rein, he'll stretch his neck downwards and relax his back into a rounded position. If the horse goes behind the bit, one should give the rein as well as push from behind in order to push the horse up into his bridle again.
Shortening one's reins is used with all half-halts followed by giving the reins again. Shortening and lengthening the reins with forward pushing aids will help to correct the horse going against the bit.
Supporting reins control the forehand (position of the neck and head which must not exceed the flexion of the ribs). A supporting rein for the part of the neck is as important as the supporting leg is for the body of the horse.
Holding the reins is used with horses that go above the bit. This will produce a steady contradiction to the pushing aids of the rider. The horse should go against it, so that it is forced to flex at the poll. As soon as the horse accepts the bit, the rider must immediately give the reins in order to allow the horse to stretch downward. The pushing aids must predominate, especially with the use of these rein-aids.
Single aids won't lead to success. Only the determined and correct communication of the aids will lead to a successful lesson and to a correct training of the horse. Concentrated and conscientiously given aids will help the rider develop the right feeling.
The rider can influence the horse if he is able to have a correct and firm sitting position and gives precise and well-balanced aids to communicate his feeling, so that he can train the horse independently and enable it to achieve records that correspond to its natural potential. The goal is not just to achieve these principles, but to steadily perfect and keep them.
Special thanks to Patricia Kinnaman for permission to reprint this article by Lilian Signe Van Dahn. Lilian was a co-founder (with Patricia) of T.E.S. and Van Dahn International. She passed away on January 17, 1989, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was an inspiration to all dressage riders who learned from her.
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