SomE Syllabus Talks

1. Introduction

Modern equitation is a work in progress. No one single person can complete a process, which began with the dawn of the modern age. At that time the demand for higher speed not only brought forth the steam engine; a demand, which peaks in the internet today. It also changed the horse. And, ever since men of different nationalities, sitting on horses of diverse temperament, tend to disagree on how to ride this modern horse.

Modern men ride cars. They roll on sealed surfaces. No quest for balance. Communication is mechanic. The sense of corporeality at an all time low. And yet, balance remains at center stage. Pioneers such as Feldenkrais and Rolf confirm and expand on ancient movement and awareness traditions. Their's and the work of those who follow also inform equitation. All seems to hinge on one central question. Do things work from the head and neck, or do they work from the sacrum and the (hind) legs? Forth-coming answers may very well ring in a completely new and improved way for upright men and the horse's balance. 

A school of modern equitation. Why? Why now? For one, study-horsemanship as a place is available. As an intellectual pursuit it is active. Study-horsemanship horses do not get younger. And, only the study of horsemanship, of how men and horses do together, will provide answers. 

I have a dream. In car-free inner cities, on paths lined with vegetable fields, children ride their classical trained horses to school and there tie them to poles, where now the traffic pulsates. Here is another reason. It is time to develop a safe, sound and fun modern equitation. For them! 

2. Goals

Modern equitation is characterized by diversity. It is organized in sports categories such as jumping, dressage, three-day-eventing; endurance and racing. Relatively new but no less popular are the team sports polo, horse-ball and voltege. Horse lovers, for their private pleasure, ride on trails and on the flat. Riding herdsmen have developed their own sets of competitions; and there still exists the working cowboy. Last but not least, future car-free inner cities may provide equitation with new options.

In light of this diversity of styles, purposes and ways to go about equitation, the School of Modern Equitation, building on classical German and French traditions, modern natural horsemanship and 2001-8 study-horsemanship results offers a new coherent, safe and fun way to learn and teach riding in a modern world. It achieves these goals by allowing for a broad and complete experience of major sports categories, in combination with self-management techniques and classical approaches to the language of the aides.

Goals are the horse's consent, suppleness and mobilization, which, for all practical purposes, are one and the same thing. Horses thus prepared are calm, trustworthy and pleasant to ride. Preliminary preparations on the ground draw on study-horsemanship insights in how to initiate the rider. Natural horsemanship techniques assure respect, leadership and flexibility. Classical seat lessons introduce the rider to his body's language. Twelve steps establish quality communication in the saddle. SomE progressions compliment jumping and provide the basis for the horse's elevation.

3. Balance

Human and equine balance, in more than one way, do not compare.

The upright human body rests on two balancing points, one in the center of each foot while walking, and one in each seat bone while sitting. From the pelvis the vertebra rises; at its highest point balances the head. Shoulders and collar bones connect arms and hands to the neck. In stand-still the human body in essence forms a cross, which is subject to one gravitational plumb line. In the human body core and gravitation thus follow the same vector line. Skeleton, muscles, organs and all other vital systems are embedded in a strong, delicate fascia skeleton, which facilitates dynamic balance.

The horse's vertical body knows no such one single plumb line. While grazing the majority of its weight rests on the forehand. In mobilization the horse's neck rises and weight shifts to the hindquarters. In steady movement weight is distributed evenly on all four legs. In each state the body's balance point shifts to a different place. The horse's organs rest in a fascia skeleton, which hangs from a cantilevered backbone and an S-shaped neck vertebra. Unique functions in neck, upper line and hindquarters permit the horse to deal with the gravitational pull on its body, shift balance and manage locomotion.

Clearly human vertical and the horse's horizontal balance are of a different nature. The following example may further illustrate this. Human stand-still is easily defined as the absence of movement in the presence of balance. The horse accordant to its dual nature knows two types of stand-still. One is the absence of movement while resting. In this static balance four legs like columns hold up the body's mass. The mounted horse's stand-still, however, is not rest but stand-by. It requires not static but dynamic balance.

This example may serve as an introduction to SomE equitation. The horse is in command of its paces from birth. It gains experience in commanding its dynamic balance in the rider's presence, while merging its will to his.

4. Communication

Many factors account for human/equine communication. And, one may indeed wonder exactly which of all bodily processes support it. Any quest to understand the physiology of riding can't help but tune into the current world-wide sorting of how bodies function. Any research of human/equine correlations will add to a biology of movement, based not on one, but on two living organism that merge.

Study-horsemanship has contributed to this quest a thorough inspection of the horse's biomechanics. These and human/equine nerve transfers are explored in the context of history. Researched are the horse's major muscle tractions and their interaction with equine posture; functions of the hindquarters, which, perpetuating posture and locomotion alike, permit the horse to bear the rider, while moving with ease. Light is shed on the amalgamation of autonomous nervous system and core activities, their relation to jaw and tongue and more. For practical purposes the rider's communication via body and via reins is viewed independently.

Riding consists of structural aspects, addressed in elementary questions such as, "How do I get on the horse?", "How do I remain seated?" "How do I convince myself to let go?" and "How can I be in harmony with my horse." On the horse's side equally fundamental questions arise. It needs to find out how to carry the rider, get straight and understand him. These questions and more will, in theory and practice, be dealt with in the course of SomE studies.

Another type of equine stand-still, the levade further illustrates SomE's concept. It at once refutes the 20th century assumption that a middle hand exists in the horse's body and illustrates a study-horsemanship observation. Nerve correlations rule equitation to a greater degree than muscular or even structural considerations.

In the levade the horse's forehand rises, while the hindquarters bear and balance the weight. This classical figure requires the full command of all postural activities. In this advanced classical exercise clearly the forehand rises above the costal diaphragm, which proceeds forward from lumbar vertebra one to ribs nine and the sternum's rear end. It is supported by the hindquarters below. The rider's seat and legs direct the horse's hindquarters, his shoulders, arms and hands monitor the forequarters. The rider, however, with that part of his body, which directs the hindquarters, rests on the forehand.

As regards conformation and position no obvious correlation exists between rider and horse. The picture changes, when one considers the distribution of nerves, particularly in the skin. Human dermatomes display a curious osmosis with riding's functions. They suggest the conclusion that the effortlessness of riding may be the result of nerve signals skin to skin. One fact in particular speaks to this idea. Innervations of the human skin proceed directly from the central nervous system. They interact with the sensory-motor system and touch on core activities. These systems are at the root of movements, motions and locomotion in the human and the horse.

The very distribution of dermatomes provides pertinent information

(1) Human lumbar dermatome one proceeds from the uppermost lumbar region to the loins, and - right under the seat bones - fuses into sacral dermatomes two and three.
(2) These cover the rider's bottom and proceed down the inside of his legs to ankles and feet. Due to the shortening of the human spinal cord, corresponding sacral nerve sections are located mid-back in lumbar vertebra one.
(3) In the horse lumbar vertebra one structurally marks the separation of forehand and hindquarters. Sacral nerve sections two and three are found in the center of the sacral joint, which is located in the croup's highest point.

There exist, in other words, in the human skin nerve impulse circuits, which relate to structurally completely different yet, as concerns electrical frequency, corresponding nerve impulse circuits in the horse. These frequencies not only feed an incessant exchange between skin and core in each individual. They are exchanged between man and horse. The question remains, how exactly these exchanges take place.

The practical value of this information soon enough becomes obvious. In the classical seat the rider from center back (L1) tunes into the horse's locomotion. He balances on his seat bones (S2/3). He commands the horse's hindquarters with his loins (L1 to S2/3). He fine tunes the horse's locomotion between calves, toes and heels (S2/3 and L/5) and thus commands the full range of equine locomotion. And, - similar correlations exist between the riders upper body and the horse's forehand. What's more all of these correlation function in the upright and in the forward seat, independent of the rider's posture. Observation of other systems, such as trains in the myofascial web render similar results.

The rider's body language is easily understood in a study of human dermatomes and the horse's skeleton. The communication of his hand with the horse's jaw and tongue, however, is best understood in a study of the core.

5. Consent

The body balances from the core. From the core it develops movement.

Definition. The skilled rider's body is in balance. He neither employs muscles nor moves. The well-tuned horse with movement implements the rider's will. Rider and horse are united in a work sharing process. The rider sits still and directs the horse, while the horse offers its facilities and moves.

Balance. In equitation no need arises to analyse human dynamic balance. The horse's active dynamic balance adjusts to shifts in the rider's passive static balance. The rider's flexibility supports the horse's ease. In the forward seat the rider arranges his folded body around a plumb line, which - similar to the plum line of the upright seat - meets the point of balance in the horse's body.

Posture, Locomotion and Control. Under the rider's supervision the horse performs a great number of movements in a variety of paces. It walks, climbs, runs, rears and/or jumps. It stands, backs up, rises or turns on the spot. Each movement is interpreted by emotion. Each interpretation requires a unique balance, which - obviously - the horse knows best. It dynamically balances by placing the parts of its body; using core functions of neck, upper line and hindquarters. The rider, despite completely different structures, on account of human/equine nerve and core correlations, tunes into these functions. The tuned horse perceives the rider's control as its own. It makes no distinction of its own and the rider's controls. To the horse they are one and the same.

The Horse's Consent. The rider from a position of authority initiatives movement. Only the horse's consent and cooperation, however, produce lasting results. One needs to experience the response of a young horse, or a young rider for that matter, to a join up to appreciate what happens between horse and rider. Its true, on account of structural provisions and nerve transfers discussed in the previous chapter the horse can't help but submit to a skilled rider. A horse's training, however, will not progress without emotional commitment to the rider. The horse's will is informed by emotion and the body's status. The healthy horse will gladly consent to the rider's leadership. The stiff or suffering horse may choose to resist.

Distinctions. In the upright human body there exists an obvious and yet not fully understood amalgamation of the force of gravity, balance and core activity. The horse negotiates gravity, adopts a position and facilitates movement also from the body's core. It lives, moves and breathes, however, in a completely different relationship to gravity.

The Core. In addition bodies display a general aptitude, not only to actively contract but also to purposely protract. Core activities expand the body. These and not movements, which have the tendency to shorten the body, quality equitation draws on. Human and equine balance differ on account of their different positions within the field of gravity. The horse does and can not know the human's perfect point of poise.

Further research and observations of core functions will shed light on the core's tendency to maintain basic movements automatically, while supporting purposed movements at will. The principle of minimal effort applies. And here another field of research opens. Why in equitation do smallest impacts produce greatest results? Why does authority also work best that way?

6. Dual Nature

Wild horses live in herds. They are integrated in working social structures. Horses do not know man's choice of good and evil. They don't attack. They escape danger in rapid forward movement. Wild horses view man as their natural enemy. The horse in man's tent is of another nature. It trusts the human, enjoys his company and submits to his will.

The passage from wild to domesticated is marked by a touch of the skin. When and once the rider manages to touch the wild horse with his hand, it gives. It recognizes human/equine kinship and opens up to him. The same is true for a foal in the stable. Unless after birth it is manipulated before rising from the ground, resistances are to overcome. Again, bearing the human touch breaks the ice.

The differences in the horse's dual nature are indeed stunning. The wild horse will not be touched by a man, even with a ten yard pole. Once it has recognized him as kin and trusted leader, it freely follows him into a trailer, goes onto an elevator or mounts an airplane. It gladly trades the dangers of the wild for the safety of assured leadership and confined spaces. The horse, wild or domesticated, however, can and will not function without a leader. Yet another aspect rules equitation.

Key to quality ground work is understanding that the horse in its natural habitat knows no body contact.
Walk immediately. Human development in close contact.

Use lead rope only after join up. Don't attach before. Reactiveness and speed. 20th century: ju,ping and racing
D.l.G. terre a terre and piaffe obvious base for all else. Today afraid of this sort of rapid movement.

Practical: never pull on the horse in walking, lunging, work-in-hand, flexions. Teaching is in the release. Learns fast,
wants to please, be with the rider.

Two forms of minimal body contact: crawling the fur and touching with the whip. Learn when and where to touch. Sound
queues safest.

Base of authority: territory dominance. Language of the herd: Six Keys.

Full contact of saddle and girth, the rider's upright seat. Partial contact of the forward seat.
Its in matching energy lines that the horse finds its master.

7. Seat

The rider can't help but impact the horse with his seat. He uses his hands to communicate and facilitates his feet to propel it on. Legs, pelvis, vertebra, ribs, shoulders and arms, in short the whole of the body, plays a role. The rider may use the distribution of his weight to balance the horse and from his core release its energy.

The rider's seat

The rider sits still on his place in the horse's back. His pelvis is level, the sacral joint at center, the sacro-illiac joint released. The latter permits a degree of elasticity in the pelvis. It activates human core energy. Two concurring provisions, a place for the rider in the horse's back and the release of the human sacro-illiac joint, permit the rider to sit movements in the horse's back. By the same token his energy directs the horse's energy. Spoken of is the seat, which exclusively and from earliest times riders used to ride the horse; up until the late 1700s and the beginning of modern times.

Today we ride a different horse. Modern equitation depends on the rider's success in making himself welcome. Horses who do not want the rider to sit bounce him. If this is the case it is of advantage to post, float or, better yet, to remain in the walk until the horse consolidates, settles in the haunches and raises in the withers. It will then, from the very first strike-off, offer the rider a comfortable seat. The fully mobilized horse permits the fully seated rider to lean slightly in the lumbar vertebrae and transfer the focus of energy from the sacrum to mid-back. Horses with a good back and strong supple haunches love it.

In modern equitation the rider facilitates his body's structural and energetic faculties to tune into the horse's needs. There are two additional seat options, which directly speak to the horse. In the forward seat the rider slightly hollows the lumbar vertebrae and, seat raised, thus addresses simultaneously the horse's energy level and its haunches. This seat demands a change of position in the rider's sacral joint. It closes, a bit like in walking uphill or framing up for an action that requires energy. As a result the pelvis tips to the front. The complimentary effect evolves in the cowboy's sliding stop. Here the rider's pelvis tips back. The sacral joint closes and the flow of energy is cut; a bit like resting in a lounge chair.

It follows that teaching the seat in a new modern equitation is more than learning the traditional upright seat and any of the floating or forward seats, which are practiced today. It calls for a schooling that one, informs the rider of his/her options, two prepares ways to facilitate them, three according to the horse's needs and the task at hand.

8. Hands

The rider can't help but impact the horse with his seat. Most modern men, however, are not aware of their corporeality, leave alone how the horse may read or react to it. Hence the introduction of systematic movement and awareness lessons at SomE. What's more, these lessons will benefit the rider's hand. In addition, the hand and its role in modern equitation will be taught systematically.

The rider's hand The tongue. In leading the horse with reins and bit the tongue plays a central role. 

The tongue denotes balance, nourishment and communication. No speech, no physical health or well-being, no kisses without tongue. No acceptance of difficult facts. In addition, the horse's mouth handles things that in humans the hands take care of. Such as gathering food, caressing a friend or attacking enemies. The rider can call on the horse's mouth only on the basis of a steady contact coming from the horse. This contact is a compliment, a sign of friendship and trust. Via jaw and tongue it provides access to the horse's innermost being. The weight of the contact changes with the tasks at hand. Modern Practices. Classical equitation is well aware of this treasure in the rider's hands. Modern sports riders, however, more often than not choose another approach. They purposely shut down the horse's mouth and forbid movements of jaw and tongue. In addition they open the no-joint and thus effectively threaten and damage the horse. Average equine age today tells the rest of the story. The state of the mouth reflects the status of the horse's being. By the same token the rider's tactful hand may impact this status for the better. Problems. Many unwanted expressions exist in respect to the bit. Horses steadily pull or sporadically push into the bit. They try to avoid the contact to the rider's hand by lifting or shortening the neck. The jaw is clenched or moves incessantly. Horses move with a wide open mouth, they shift the jaw and twist or drop the tongue. All these irregularities speak of pains, stiffnesses, frustration and disrespect.

Reasons. These signs are the result of missing information and mishaps. Often turbulences in the horse's core are involved. The only safe and sound way to help such horses is to ride them in the walk, reins hanging, without touching the bit until the core is reestablished. Such horses may then be ready to understand and go for the proper use of the bit. By contrast the consolidated horse carries the neck steadily. The reins have one length. The horse releases the jaw and changes position on demand.

Bit-less. In balance the corporeality of rider and horse may make the bit superfluous. Bit-less riders non-the-less often prefer a ring around the neck to direct the horse's lateral, horizontal and vertical movements. This practice hints at a special function in the horse's neck base and illustrates multiple functions of the rider's hand; exemplified by the neck rein in contrast to the impact of the ring finger.

Young horses. The green horse does best without impacts from the rider's hand. When the horse responds to the rider's offer to come to his hand, it usually prefers a half-tension rein. This sort of rein usage permits the rider to call on the horse's supple jaw and pliable poll. Slightly hanging reins do transport signals from the rider's hands while protecting the horse's mouth from irregularities that may exist in the rider's or the horse's body. 

Retroactivity. In the horizontal balance horses gain experience with the liberation of jaw and tongue. The healthy and trusting horse purposefully and actively mobilizes jaw and tongue. However, these movements can also be called forth retroactively. Actively, as coming from the horse, they express suppleness and consent. Retroactively, as initiated by the rider, they reestablish the horse's suppleness and consent. It pays off to prepare the communication of the rider's ring finger with the horse's jaw and tongue in hand while standing on the ground. Reins in one hand. The ideal of classical equitation is to direct the horse with both reins in one hand. This sort of rein usage frames the horse's neck between two indirect half-tension reins. The horse may seek contact to the rider's hand. It sets the poll while following the directions of the rider's eyes. Rein aides. A set of hand signals from classical French equitation teaches the horse lateral movements, turns around the shoulders/haunches and the half-halt. These signals proceed from the core. They position hands, wrists, lower arms and elbows to direct the lines of energy in the horse's body. Once the horse has understood these movements and controls the forces that bring them forth, the rider can call on them from his core. This said the question remains, why use a bit? Elevation. A study of the core confirms the indication of finely tuned, well mobilized horses in elevation. They rely on an upward contact to the rider's hand to facilitate jaw and tongue in support of their locomotion. Movements of the jaw reverberate through the horse's core all the way to its hind hoofs. Movements of the tongue, touching on lungs, heart and solar plexus, improve muscular output. The rider on account of the distribution of a three dimensional continuous fascia web in the horse's body quite literally hold the horse's heart in his hands.

Using the bit in kindness the rider may direct the young horse. He communicates. He aides the aging horse and help it to remain safe and sound for a lifetime.

9. Legs

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10. Get Going

SomE, on the basis of the foregoing presentation, produces in clearly defined steps, the confidence a novice rider needs to comfortably take a horse out on the trails. Please view this link for additional start-up details. These steps introduce equitation according to human/equine physiology. To quote a thought in classical equitation, "...there is no advanced work. All is in basic work, well done or not." In other words, these twelve steps done well introduce novice riders to quality equitation. Experienced riders, working along the same lines, tune to their horses, win their trust and move on.

SomE's In the Saddle Start-Up

The horse stands, is flexible and under the rider's leadership. The croup is closed.

1. In the stand-still: Release the jaw and set the poll
Introduce the action of the ring finger by a minute pressure on one side of the bit. The horse releases the jaw and permits the rider to set the poll laterally. These two small movements put the rider in touch with the horse's core.

2. In the walk along the wall: Come to the hand
Have the horse seek contact to the rider's hand while stretching. To do so adjust the reins to the length of the horse's neck and rise up between the collar bones. Both, horse and rider stretch the long back muscles. The horse contacts the rider's hand and releases the jaw.

3. In the walk, doing free figures: Give to the outside rein
Reins hanging, make sure the horse gives to the touch of the rein, while moving arm and wrist towards the neck. In addition, the rider from between his shoulders tunes into the horse's locomotion and begins to direct it from there. The rider establishes his lead. The horse begins to open the sides.

Horse and rider remain in this phase until they are in complete harmony. While the horse consolidates and gathers strength the rider concentrates on his seat and minimal efforts to communicate his wishes. Even if it takes weeks, these weeks are well invested. They prepare for peace, friendship and effortlessness while the horse's haunches supple. Proceeding without these basic values of equitation calls for conflict, manipulation and unending work in the saddle. Proceed with 4. only after the horse has provided the rider with a comfortable seat, turn promptly and correctly and all is well.

4. First in the stand-still, then in the walk: Give to the inner hand
Have the horse bend the neck sideways from the base. The rider's inner hand, sitting on the withers' highest elevation softly closes. His outside shoulder comes forward. The outside rein automatically touches the neck. The horse releases the neck at the base. It actively stretches the entire outside and protracts ribs 9-12.

5. In the walk on a circle: Give to the inner leg
Bend the horse's neck laterally until the horse contracts the inside ribs 9-12. To do so the rider's neck turns. His inner hand closes and his inner wrist slowly bends and turns, while his fingers remain nimble. The horse's ribs yield to a small pressure of the inner calf. The rider accompanies the bending of the horse's ribs with a turn mid-back. The horse's ribs under the rider's legs yield.

Make the horse straight

6. Begin in the walk long and low, leading the horse with one hand
When the horse gains strength it rises and begins to balance horizontally. From time to time halt and back-up by closing the lead hand and hugging the horse with both legs. Horse and rider coordinate. The rider's hands are positioned to form a straight line from bit to rider's elbow.

Horses with unstable backs and weak hind legs may not want to back up. They will profit from schooling in the outdoors (11. and 12.) as soon as they balance horizontally. Such horses best muster core energy on long lines in natural habitats. Making them straight and supple (6. to 10.) must wait until they are adequately muscled. They discover elevation in the outdoors.

Healthy young horses on the other hand may begin to rise and mobilize sooner than expected.

7. In the shoulder-fore (not shoulder-in) on flat serpentines: Alternate the longitudinal bent
While changing directions make sure the horse resets poll and neck. Guide the horse with the outside rein on the neck. The inside hand is active only if and when the poll does not turn in the direction of movement. The horse begins to get straight. It stabilizes on the outside rein.

8. In the walk, side-stepping: Do diagonal stretches
Let the horse move laterally between the reins while turning both tumbs into the direction of movement. Add a signal from the calves if needed. The diagonal fascia trains in the horse's body get balanced. Flexibility and straightness are improved. The back remounts.

9. In the sitting seat: Strike-off in a small trot
Rise, inhale, open knees, give a signal. The horse's hind legs step under the rider's seat. Exhale to stop.

10. In a small trot or canter: One after the other...
Perfect 5. (circle and small eight), 7. (serpentine) and 8. (side-stepping). From time to time halt and make sure the horse is calm and in full agreement. Horse and rider get going.

Prepare for the outdoors

11. In the rising seat: Move up to the working trot
On a large eight change from rising to sitting trot. Starting with one, two, three easy sitting steps, gradually doing more. Horse and rider fuse.

12. In the sitting trot: Strike-off in a small canter
On a circle do trot/canter changes. Rise, inhale, open knees, give a signal. Exhale to return to the trot. Horse and rider are ready for the outdoos.

SomE approaches.

1. Rider's demands do best if they coincide with the state of the horse's mind and body. A definition of the rider's tact: Don't insist on something the horse can't do. Instead prepare the horse. Do not abandon the demand, but take on the responsibility for its fulfillment.

2. There is no such thing as a horse not wanting to do what the rider demands. By its very nature the horse wishes to please the rider. A no or any false reactions tell of a break-down of communication. Either the rider didn't speak the horse's language. Or the horse's body, on account of physical shortcomings, pains, stiffnesses and/or preexisting damages, didn't recognize the rider's request. Demotivation sours any relationship.

3. The lighter the touch, the better the chances. Minute steps along the lines of equitation's natural provisions in the human's and the horse's body are the fasted way to train a happy, healthy horse. No horse will do well against its will. It may need time to consolidate.

Be truthful. Don't manipulate. Go for the real thing.

11. Training

The modern horse comes in many shapes, sizes and temperaments. Every type of personality exists, from exceedingly boisterous to annoyingly timid; from endearingly committed to perfectly professional. In absence of a central purpose, as was the cavalry, there is today no one guide to train, judge or evaluate a horse. Most likely nowadays the owner's purpose produces the horse's program. Success often is hampered by man's lack of time. Many horses do not nearly spend enough time under the saddle to properly develop their potential. 

Common sense, the research of equitation's biomechanics and dynamics and empiricism, however, none-the-less suggest some trustworthy guide lines.

One. Before starting a horse it is indispensable to evaluate its physical and emotional state. No matter what the horse's previous experience or the training's imminent or distant purposes the following questions must be answered.  (1) Is the horse in need of core stabilization? (2) Does it need more muscle? (3) Must it be more supple? (4) Is it prepared to elevate? These questions reflect each one major aspect of provisions in the horse for riding. The horse has a core. Muscles rest in a continuous fascia skeleton and, as a result of superior innervations, it commands a second gear.

Two. Progressions from (1) to (4) help the horse to unfold the innate ability to serve a rider. These steps constitute a path along which the rider guides his mount into self-confidence, trust and performance. It is the only path, which riders of all levels and all horses may walk safely. The core must be stable before any demands are made. The body must oxygenize and be supple before the idea of service and performance arises. Putting it another way, disrespect for the steps of this progression creates never ending work in the saddle. It produces a confusing array of measures, which more often than not dead end in frustration. The horse's dual nature permits for riding. There is a confirmed path to follow. So we follow it. 

Back to point one. How does a rider learn to evaluate the horse? How can he answer question (1) to (4) with any degree of certainty? Obviously, this is the issue at hand in a new modern equitation. Information, proprioception and experience are the answer. Or, see the horse track, feel it turn and experience how it rises. Yes, it is that simple. Pre-existing psychological and physiological problems in the horse and/or in the rider, however, may blunder this simple resolve.

Three. What is the purpose of a horse's training? All horses have the self same options. Not all riders, however, have the same goals. Vast differences exist in their perception, ideas and intentions. One rider's obvious can be another rider's riddle. A piano can produce a rock song, contribute to a symphony or interpret a modest melody. A horse can be trained to jump, tackle the out-doors and do the movements of the Haute Ecole. 

Instruments, animate and inanimate, stand in man's service. It is the horse's nature to fulfill the rider's wishes. Gladly it goes for his aids. When horse and rider merge, their common mammal nature makes for a puzzling experience, which - though dearly thought after - is rare in equitation today. Joint in body and soul, they perform together, no matter to which end, in and not in conflict with the forces of gravity. Whatever leads up to this experience is the purpose of SomE's training.