@fei thank you so much for your support! We hope that videos like this inspire riders around the world to make their way through the levels. Then get out there and enjoy competitions! 🎉🤩
So the next step... is to understand specific symptoms of "lack of suppleness" (say) and specific exercises that might help. Some guidance on distinguishing "rider faults" from "horse weaknesses" would be invaluable too. The dressage levels are great as a scaffolding on which to measure progress... but I can (at best) only think of one thing at a time while on horseback. Advice in easy to digest morsels would be fantastic (but I'll be back for the next video regardless - keep up the great work)
Hi Stephen! Love the suggestion to do a video on how to identify horse weakness from rider faults. If you are looking for more specific videos on suppleness exercises check out part one of 3 of our suppleness series..ua-cam.com/video/p7QPFON-6BA/v-deo.html
I’m 10 years old , and I live in Georgia. I ride my pony named fancy, at a local barn . I watch your videos and they have helped me majorly. This Christmas I asked all of my friends and family to subscribe to you for my presents. My dream is to have a lesson from you , and ride a horse from your barn . My mom and me both ride . We watch your channel together. All I want is to be you when I grow up . Love , Megan ❤️
I wonder if it would be of interest to discuss how dressage and the training scale can benefit other disciplines? I have a huge young hunter horse and am sure practicing the training scale will set us apart this year in shows🤩
I train horses for several disciplines… no matter the discipline, they all are worked classically through the training scale. It makes a HUGE difference!
Hi! Just a suggestion -could you maybe do a video on how to train a dressage horse on the ground - i mean movements like passage, piaffe? Would be really helpful! Thanks 🙏🙌
@@YourRidingSuccess Would really appreciate it :D Especially the info on groundwork about a "lazy" horse (on the lazier side when ridden and on the ground)
Thanks for that idea! We do have a few videos on ground work that Alicia has done with Mowgley! Here is the link to the episode she did on double lunging - ua-cam.com/video/S49-7oKwQFY/v-deo.html
Thank you! My biggest takeaway is when my horse is having trouble with a movement or task is to go back and make sure our basics are solid. Love you and all your guidance!
Great episode...will be great reference in the future. It would be great if you did an episode on people and trainers that have inspired you. Another episode on struggles and SUCCESSES that you have had with individual horses, (physically and temperment), your own personal struggles with motivation/goals, teaching and riding (ie, some people find the canter easier than the trot, etc...).
Thank you so much Alicia. I don't always understand or picture how to do this like feeling the equal weight or if the horse is straight .. even as a kid who had been riding for years i was never explained all of this .. when one understands why he/ she''s doing an exercise and to what end and it's part of a bigger picture like you explained in this video....anyway wish there were a few videos about "back to basics" even for those who do not have a horse at home or as if first time on a horse and we step by step build a solid foundation of "basics"...
wow you are so marvelous trainer i ever seen. you are very experienced rider and you know everything what we did wrong with horse .I love your training skills. thank u so much mam. i will follow your instructions❤❤❤❤
Thank you for making this video! It's been a very helpful reminder/education on why keeping the first 4 elements of the training scale at the forefront of every ride.
I'm a classically trained musician as well as a (mostly) dressage rider I've been offered 4 lovely young, green babies to be my next riding horses my end goal is the 2032 Olympics here in Brisbane. Teaching/horseparenting to music is wonderful for improving rythm and classical music is extremely calming for both the rider and ponyos.
I-I think I was watching today's horse connection trainer video correctly. When I looked at the instructor standing there I was able to see only two straight legs as she suggested I should.
Your videos have been so inspirational to me and had a massive impact on my riding. But am I missing something your last video was quite few months ago. I don’t mean the very short ones. I remember when you said a teaching video would be every week or two. You gave a super schedule of different skills you would be covering. Please advice . Many thanks
Another fabulous explanation of the Training Scale. I have been riding Dressage for 30 years, and in that time one of the biggest mistakes I have seen in the basics is people riding there horses in a competition frame for the whole ride. I have been taught to warm up long and low and cool down long and low. To create adjustability in the horse longitudinally and then bring them up to get better lateral balance and then long and low again to stretch out the back. Perhaps a demonstration would be helpful to steer riders from holding the horse together with too much hand. I think this is a very good example of the training scale.
Oh yes!! Demystify indeed!! Thank you thank you Alicia for reassuring that the basics must be covered well in every movement and new movements, that are included in the tests as you go up the levels. (Natasha said the same thing in one of her 2nd level training videos.) Impulsion must be the toughest one to teach a horse though if you as a rider can’t control your body and influence your horse to shorten and lengthen his step. Sooner or later we all hope to look as good and secure in the saddle as you do. People that think the horse does all the work have no idea the strength and control required of the rider. Also… thank you for clarifying that connection isn’t necessarily lightness - that the horse can feel heavy in the bridle at times in his learning. I use the acronym RSC ISC so that I keep it all in perspective. Thanks again.
Thank you Susan! The arena is 60 x20! Check out this video where Alicia talks more indepth about arena surfaces and what to look for when planning- ua-cam.com/video/DEeivoFAv2U/v-deo.html
This is great. I get frustrated always taking lessons, remembering, remembering and trying to stay organized when starting my horses. I'm always stuck in the same spot
So glad you are loving the videos Lindsey!! We have a whole playlist on suppleness you can find here - ua-cam.com/play/PLilNDMqFJS_BVrNsd7DVH8jsNt56-xkI-.html
Very helpful! Struggling the most with impulsion and reacting positively when the horse takes the bit and pulls their head down. I get scared of them tripping and pull back when I know I shouldn't. Hoping to learn more so I can be a good consistent teacher for the horses I ride (& eventually own 🙏🏻)
Oh thank you for this video!! My horse and I are improving so much with these videos, super helpful! Do you have a link to your paid video classes? (If you have one)
Love this video!!! In light of the new year and new goals, I’d love some “riding plans” to work on certain issues… like step by step exercises from warm up to cool down….. a riding plan that focuses getting your horse more forward… or more supple…. Or to help build strength and stamina! For example, this week my I feel we need to work on suppleness…so during the week I will do A. B. C. (Different riding/ lunging exercises)To help us with it…. I like to have a plan to stay focused on my goals. Hope this makes sense!
Hi Carrie, we do have this sort of help in our DMA program. As well as opportunities to send video for weekly review and much more support. If you send us an email to support@yourridingsuccess.com we can show you the program more xx
This is an excellent video and yes, I need to listen and watch it a few times so I can process all the information, because I need to practice bits of it at a time! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
I'm watching a lot of yr videos & this one, a couple of times. So powerful to get a real understanding of the training scale. Always wanted to gain a real understanding. Such a great teacher, Alicia, thankyou & to the YRS Team. I have put some questions to you about my novice level, fears & use of a stock saddle (I know, so uncouth!). And asking about using a lunging system - like the Chambon. I can't find them to check for a possible reply, sorry if I've missed them, but keen for yr response. Can you help me please, did you see them? Biggest thankyous ❤🐴🐴🐎🐎🐎🙏❤
Hi Benita! So sorry you weren't able to find our reply to your questions. I have put our reply to you here too :] Totally okay to use a stock saddle if you feel more comfortable and safe in that. Then when you are ready you can move towards a supportive dressage saddle but also if never going to compete also don’t have to move from stock saddle! We are not familiar with Chambon, but the reason for using double lunge is you have more control over frame where as some other lunging aids are more fixed and for this reason are not always as safe and adjustable x
Another great video! I'm struggling with my 18 years old horse. It's very difficult to maintain a good rythm in canter. He always falls into trot when I try to make a circle after a staght line. Do you have some tips to keep the rythm in canter ? What should i do when he falls into trot?
Hi Marijana, great question! This could be two things, the first is that the horse is not balanced enough to maintain the canter around a circle - try riding an easier line like a half 20m circle or a bigger circle than what you have been doing and if he can keep the canter then he needs some help to keep his balance. The second thing could be the horse is not travelling forward on its own and therefore it is hard to keep the horse going. Try watching this video for some tips ua-cam.com/video/EsjG0qj60zI/v-deo.html
I don't know where to put this question. But how do the horse know when to keep moving forward or halting when riding with contact? I find my horses looses some of the forward when I start riding with more contact and putting different aids together fx shoulder in.. I have worked a lot on "leg without hand and hand without leg" until they were really good separately. I have noticed that I tend to stop riding with my seat when I really have to concentrate so that might be it? Or should I ride with my "legs on" all the time when riding with contact I have heard some say this? Or what is the trick to keep the horse energy up when riding with contact but still making it really clear when you want a halt? Best regards
Hi Sabrina! The horse's forward tendency should not stop by riding connected, in fact - the horse will often be MORE forward once connected. So if you are finding your horse slows down it just means you are missing a step in the training scale. Watch this video ua-cam.com/video/mBIi_O6GVys/v-deo.html about getting your horse on the bit and pay close attention to Alicia's contact BEFORE the horse is connected, she has hold of the reins and a steady contact with the horse's mouth (not pulling or giving it away) and then she makes enough suppleness in the horse that the horse can connect into the bridle. If you still have questions after this please ask! And no you should not ride with your leg on all the time - this will make the horse unresponsive to your aids eventually and also make the horse unhappy! Good luck x
I absolutely love this video! For me , it has been a long time since I have had any lessons and I have been making a transition into more dressage riding. This video helped give me an idea of where am at with my horses on the training scale and what to work on going forward. Thank you for making this video! It really helped deepen my knowledge of the training scale
Hi Bethany! SUPER question! Check out the series Alicia has done on suppleness and different exercises you can do to improve- ua-cam.com/play/PLilNDMqFJS_BVrNsd7DVH8jsNt56-xkI-.html
The most valuable video for me from this series yet! Thank you sooo much!! Alicia is so fun and her teaching is phenomenal. Question!! Advice / how to approach from a training scale perspective when the horse speeds up along the long side of the arena (I.e. I think that would fall into the (loss of) rhythm category). My horse keeps a lovely rhythm on a circle but as soon as I go straight down the long side of the arena, he speeds up. Any tips ? Thank you again!
Great question Hayley! First thing is to try and keep the speed of your rise (in the trot) or movement of your hips with the canter the same, so that like a metronome your body helps the horse keep the same tempo. Another thing that could be happening is the horse loses balance and falls on the forehand when you ride straight, where as the horse is more upright and balanced on the circle. If this is the case then slowly add more straight lines but use the circles to show the horse the balance you require and only ride straight for as long as the horse can keep balance. xx
Question: Does a horse need to have a certain personality or way of going, to be a dressage horse? Say for example my hunter horse is going to be a dressage horse, but he doesn't have the same engine or the 'never runs out of energy mindset' could we train him to be like my 3rd level horse who never stops?
Hi Jade! As long as your horse has three rhythmical paces they can do dressage and trained up the levels. There is a saying that any horse with 3 rhythmical paces can be trained to PSG. Obviously there are attributes that help horses to do the sport but there are alot of variables in that. Its one thing to think about a horse that is perfect for the sport at an olympic level and another thing to think about a horse that will be suited as an everyday rider to get to PSG level. Hope that helps! x
Thanks again. I am interested same as Stephen Cook here earlier; how to see when something is about the horse and when more of a rider. When to correct or train the horse more and when to focus more in my own riding. I am also interested to hear more about an the 'have the most of your weight on your stirrups like you are standing" you have talked earlier. Thanks so much again for amazing episode and happy new year everyone:)
So glad you enjoyed the episode Johanna! Check out this video where alicia talks more about having weight in your stirrups like you are standing..ua-cam.com/video/qL8swhRKY5s/v-deo.html
Thank you again Alicia for the video. Learnt alot but I would like to ask a question off topic. When are we going to see more of Mowgli. I would love to see more of him pleeeeeeaaaaaaaassssseeeee
Thanks Tamlyn! Okay we hear you!!! He is doing great and we will show you how good he is doing soon, you can also catch up with his adventures on our socials xx
Hi, happy new year to you all. firstly, as a novice, how can I tell if a horse is using his forehand or his hind legs? second, i really struggle with keeping the tempo consistent, the horses always start to slow down, I feel im always having to kick to keep them going and the more it happens then I start get tired then ive lost any rhythm I had. any tips to keep a (school) horse going? lastly, can you show us the actual aid for doing the different types of trot, canter etc. how do you get the doing a smaller trot/canter and extended trot/canter? thank you Jo
Hi Joanne, these are really great questions and I would really like to help you with your journey so please send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com as when I read this questions it tells me you are missing some of the basic building blocks, the first step is a horse that is travelling forward on it own, it does not need to be going fast, just travelling on its own. Then you need to make suppleness in order to get the horse to move more freely in the paces and over the back to the contact. If you follow the basics and your training scale it will answer all of those questions you have, try watching this video as well to help your understanding (and make sure to email us!) ua-cam.com/video/-Wi71i_uKsI/v-deo.html
Hi Jen, a good thing to check first is that you actually mean rhythm and not the tempo (speed), rhythm is even steps and the most common reasons a horse takes uneven steps is either soundness issue or lack of balance, is it is lack of balance you need to make the exercises easier until the horse can keep the rhythm again. If you mean the tempo, then you need to set the horses tempo with your body ie the speed you rise to the trot sets the tempo, and also improving the horses balance can help you to steady the tempo. Hope this helps x
I’ve been having trouble keeping a good outside rein contact. My trainer keeps telling me is not tight enough but I just have so much trouble keeping it back so I instead try to pull my inside rein to make up for it witch ends up screwing up everything else. And once I do get my outside rein tight enough and not flopping around I have no inside rein contact. So I’m having a lot of trouble keep an even and steady contact. I either have on or the other way to lose and the other to tight. Any tips????
Hi Olivia! Thanks for sharing and reaching out for help! Check out this video Alicia did on working on improving your contact off the horse - ua-cam.com/video/etDYUu5X9AA/v-deo.html
Happy New Year! I was wondering if you have any tips with working with OTT Standardbreds, specifically to help them engage with a canter as opposed to wanting to pace. Tia
Hi Lex, the reason they pace is because it is more balanced and natural for them so the biggest thing to focus on is improving the horses balance slowly and this will discourage him from pacing. Remember that canter is not natural for them so take time and do small bits until the horse can find balance.
@@YourRidingSuccess thanks for that. I can definitely understand how it’s a balance issue. He can canter on an upward slope for a few beats - I’m wondering if he finds his bearings better as he’s going up hill, kind of like using a higher gear on a bike?
Can I ask how you make sure you have the correct positioning in half pass? I know the shoulders should slightly lead but by how much? How much should I be able to see if the eye/ nostril etc? I was wondering if you would do a video on this?
Hi Tameka, great question! The easiest way to ensure your half pass is correct is to take the shoulders on a diagonal line (the line of your half pass) and then to make the shape you bend the horse's ribcage like a travers. As long as you keep riding the shoulders on the diagonal line you will make a correct half pass. When riders make the mistake of losing the line with the half pass it is because they push the horse sideways with their outside leg which is incorrect. Half pass is not a sideways movement - it is a diagonal line with the horse in a travers position. Hope this helps! x
Hi Marju! Officially there isn't a training scale for riders like there is for training the horse however we do use one in our Dressage Mastery program. If you'd like more info on this send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com
I absolutely love your video's but wondering if the transitions and words that pop up, could happen silently. The whooshing and popping is a bit distracting / irritating.
Thank you for the video! Do you think lunging patents are useful tools (if used appropriately with the level and capabilities of the horse) in helping develop aspects of the training scale ?
I like your video's. They give me such an inspiration and knowledge. I really like them. Question, my horse has difficulty in learning the flying change. I am on Z1 level. He knows a simple change. I have no Idea how you call that in English. It is a change from canter to walk and than canter again. He knows the working pirouette. Het knows the counter canter. He can collect. Not top yet, but enough collection. My previous horse learned me the flying changes up to one step (don't know how you call that in Englisch ether). I have never had a horse that you cannot even get out of balance in the counter canter. He can stay in the counter canter and even get his had turned the other way, moving his shoulders in the other direction and still does not change or fall out. I got him when he was already trained up to level Z, so probably he has learned that a flying change is a bad thing. I never see him change even when he is outside in the paddock. Do you have suggestions.
Hi Colleen, thanks for your question! When you say you need assistance with the horses rhythm, is this because the horse is taking uneven steps or you meant the horses speed (ie tempo)? x
@@YourRidingSuccess my horse is taking even steps and what I do is count in my head or sometimes out loud during a session to check the rhythm of the walk but to also check the tempo is there any other exercise that you can use to help with this?
Hi Colleen, it sounds like the issue you are struggling with is tempo if your horse is taking even steps. Its important to remember that rhythm and tempo are two different things. Rhythm is the regularity of the horses foot falls, i.e. in walk a clear four beat pattern. Tempo is the speed of which this pattern occurs. Are you finding your horse is speeding up or slowing down?
Hi Colleen, that is a good way to help. You could also try using markers and aiming for a specific number of strides from one to the other to work on controlling the tempo x
So I'm struggling a little at the moment and wondered if anyone could help. When I ride my horse with short reins he feels jncrsdibly heavy and stiff as a board through his body and gets a lot of comments about needing more suppleness but when I ride him with longer reins I get a lot of comments about him being downhill and feel a bit like I can't win
Hi Samantha! Update for you - You can win- with suppleness!! When you have longer reins, the horse is going to make the body down and long and therefore the balance will be downhill. When you have shorter reins the horse is probably shorter but stiff. What you need to think about is achieiving the short reins by actually making the horse shorter. You need to use exercises that bring the horses shoulder and hind leg closer together for you so that almost your reins would be too long rather than you feeling like you are forcing the horse into shorter reins. So exercises would include something simple like a circle, a circle with leg yield on in, shoulder-in etc.
Some of us were not born with natural rythum and suffer because of it. Same reason a lot of us men can't dance. Sorry to say, but it's sadly true. Women in general have superior natural rythum.
Hi Julie! Each horse is different! You can do exercises every ride that will improve suppleness if you wanted to but to what degree you need to work on this depends on the specific horse and if you are seeing resistance in your training that is indicating a lack of suppleness x
Hey whoever is editing these, just a heads up the swishing noise you're playing as you cut back and forth is drowning out what is being said. Now it could well be my headphones etc making that the case but it might be something you want to keep an eye on going forward as it's a little distracting and maybe doesn't have to be there for every cut. This is meant as constructive not an insult as I know how hard editing can be, I just don't want to miss a word of the great advice.
Lost my covens again keep have winter broken down help alshet iv taken her off the sugar and is a bit betet catre her new and what get back my mogo with her
So sorry to hear you have lost your confidence! Are you able to send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com for some extra help to get you back on track? x
Moving on up in 2022! 👏🤩
@fei thank you so much for your support!
We hope that videos like this inspire riders around the world to make their way through the levels. Then get out there and enjoy competitions! 🎉🤩
ONCE AGAIN: THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING DRESSAGE TRAINING VIDEOS ON UA-cam. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO, ALICIA.
Thank you SOO much!! So glad you enjoyed the video so much!
So the next step... is to understand specific symptoms of "lack of suppleness" (say) and specific exercises that might help.
Some guidance on distinguishing "rider faults" from "horse weaknesses" would be invaluable too.
The dressage levels are great as a scaffolding on which to measure progress... but I can (at best) only think of one thing at a time while on horseback.
Advice in easy to digest morsels would be fantastic (but I'll be back for the next video regardless - keep up the great work)
Hi Stephen! Love the suggestion to do a video on how to identify horse weakness from rider faults. If you are looking for more specific videos on suppleness exercises check out part one of 3 of our suppleness series..ua-cam.com/video/p7QPFON-6BA/v-deo.html
I’m 10 years old , and I live in Georgia. I ride my pony named fancy, at a local barn . I watch your videos and they have helped me majorly. This Christmas I asked all of my friends and family to subscribe to you for my presents. My dream is to have a lesson from you , and ride a horse from your barn . My mom and me both ride . We watch your channel together. All I want is to be you when I grow up .
Love , Megan ❤️
Thank you SOO much for the kind words and all the support Megan!! So happy you and your mom are both enjoying the videos so much!
I wonder if it would be of interest to discuss how dressage and the training scale can benefit other disciplines? I have a huge young hunter horse and am sure practicing the training scale will set us apart this year in shows🤩
That is a great suggestion! The training scale is a great basis to use for training any horse xx
I train horses for several disciplines… no matter the discipline, they all are worked classically through the training scale. It makes a HUGE difference!
Hi! Just a suggestion -could you maybe do a video on how to train a dressage horse on the ground - i mean movements like passage, piaffe? Would be really helpful! Thanks 🙏🙌
Great suggestion!
@@YourRidingSuccess Would really appreciate it :D Especially the info on groundwork about a "lazy" horse (on the lazier side when ridden and on the ground)
Thanks for that idea! We do have a few videos on ground work that Alicia has done with Mowgley! Here is the link to the episode she did on double lunging - ua-cam.com/video/S49-7oKwQFY/v-deo.html
Thank you! My biggest takeaway is when my horse is having trouble with a movement or task is to go back and make sure our basics are solid. Love you and all your guidance!
So glad you enjoyed the video Theresa! What a super takeaway!
I cannot believe I'm getting these videos for free. You are giving me the lecture that goes with my riding lessons. Thank you for your hard work.
You're very welcome!
Hi Alicia!! It's Regi!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this video. It's the first one that has really helped me understand the training scale!! Thank you!!!! 💖💖💖💖🐎
Thank you Reg! :)
Great episode...will be great reference in the future. It would be great if you did an episode on people and trainers that have inspired you. Another episode on struggles and SUCCESSES that you have had with individual horses, (physically and temperment), your own personal struggles with motivation/goals, teaching and riding (ie, some people find the canter easier than the trot, etc...).
Super suggestion for a video Sharon! So glad you enjoyed this episode xx
Thank you so much Alicia. I don't always understand or picture how to do this like feeling the equal weight or if the horse is straight .. even as a kid who had been riding for years i was never explained all of this .. when one understands why he/ she''s doing an exercise and to what end and it's part of a bigger picture like you explained in this video....anyway wish there were a few videos about "back to basics" even for those who do not have a horse at home or as if first time on a horse and we step by step build a solid foundation of "basics"...
wow you are so marvelous trainer i ever seen. you are very experienced rider and you know everything what we did wrong with horse .I love your training skills. thank u so much mam. i will follow your instructions❤❤❤❤
Thank you Vishal! So glad you enjoyed the video so much!
Excellent information about the purpose of each level of the training scale
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for making this video! It's been a very helpful reminder/education on why keeping the first 4 elements of the training scale at the forefront of every ride.
It's been 10 days since this latest episode. I am looking forward the next one sooooooo much! Can't wait for it :)! xxx
Love how keen you are for the next video!! We can't wait for you to see the new videos we have coming up this month! :]
I'm a classically trained musician as well as a (mostly) dressage rider I've been offered 4 lovely young, green babies to be my next riding horses my end goal is the 2032 Olympics here in Brisbane. Teaching/horseparenting to music is wonderful for improving rythm and classical music is extremely calming for both the rider and ponyos.
But yes rythm and tempo are certainly different
Thank you so much for sharing and tuning in to watch the video! What a super goal you have set!
I-I think I was watching today's horse connection trainer video correctly.
When I looked at the instructor standing there I was able to see only two straight legs as she suggested I should.
That is great! So glad you were able to see the horse on the "train tracks" correctly!
Your videos have been so inspirational to me and had a massive impact on my riding. But am I missing something your last video was quite few months ago. I don’t mean the very short ones. I remember when you said a teaching video would be every week or two. You gave a super schedule of different skills you would be covering. Please advice .
Many thanks
Hi Linda! So glad you have enjoyed the videos so much! You can find the most recent video here..ua-cam.com/video/r1Z3Tr3KHSo/v-deo.html
Another fabulous explanation of the Training Scale. I have been riding Dressage for 30 years, and in that time one of the biggest mistakes I have seen in the basics is people riding there horses in a competition frame for the whole ride. I have been taught to warm up long and low and cool down long and low. To create adjustability in the horse longitudinally and then bring them up to get better lateral balance and then long and low again to stretch out the back. Perhaps a demonstration would be helpful to steer riders from holding the horse together with too much hand. I think this is a very good example of the training scale.
Thanks Dorothy! Great idea for a video! We will have a good think about how to best show this xx
Oh yes!! Demystify indeed!! Thank you thank you Alicia for reassuring that the basics must be covered well in every movement and new movements, that are included in the tests as you go up the levels. (Natasha said the same thing in one of her 2nd level training videos.) Impulsion must be the toughest one to teach a horse though if you as a rider can’t control your body and influence your horse to shorten and lengthen his step. Sooner or later we all hope to look as good and secure in the saddle as you do. People that think the horse does all the work have no idea the strength and control required of the rider. Also… thank you for clarifying that connection isn’t necessarily lightness - that the horse can feel heavy in the bridle at times in his learning. I use the acronym RSC ISC so that I keep it all in perspective. Thanks again.
Amazing comment thank you Mimi! Really shows that you watch and learn from the videos and understand the theory! Everyone should read your comment 💕💕💕
I’ve watched this over and over! It’s a spectacular explanation of the training scale!🎉🎉
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant. I'll be watching this one over & over again. Thank you Alicia! x Linda.
Thank you very much, Linda! 😍
Your arena is amazing! What are the dimensions? Would you comment about proper footing, lighting, ventilation, please?
Thank you Susan! The arena is 60 x20! Check out this video where Alicia talks more indepth about arena surfaces and what to look for when planning- ua-cam.com/video/DEeivoFAv2U/v-deo.html
You’re a fabulous teacher !!! Thanks for the detailed lecture. It was not boring!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it! :]
This is the BEST description and explanation of the training scale I have seen! Thanks Alicia!!!
You're so welcome!
@@YourRidingSuccess do u ever come to the U.S.? Particularly the east coast?
Yes! If you send us an email at hello@dressageinstitute.com we can give you more info xx
This is great. I get frustrated always taking lessons, remembering, remembering and trying to stay organized when starting my horses. I'm always stuck in the same spot
So glad you found it useful!!
Love it ❤️gonna be watching this one over and over again
yay!!!
Very inspiring.
Thanks so much!
I'm loving your videos!! I've been consuming them like crazy, but do you have any specific ones on suppleness?
So glad you are loving the videos Lindsey!! We have a whole playlist on suppleness you can find here - ua-cam.com/play/PLilNDMqFJS_BVrNsd7DVH8jsNt56-xkI-.html
Very helpful! Struggling the most with impulsion and reacting positively when the horse takes the bit and pulls their head down. I get scared of them tripping and pull back when I know I shouldn't. Hoping to learn more so I can be a good consistent teacher for the horses I ride (& eventually own 🙏🏻)
So glad you enjoyed the video so much and LOVE how self-aware you are of what you need to work on- its the first step to getting better!
Oh thank you for this video!! My horse and I are improving so much with these videos, super helpful! Do you have a link to your paid video classes? (If you have one)
Thanks so much for tuning in! You can try out our paid classes using this link :] www.yourridingsuccess.com/dmaoffer/
Love this video!!!
In light of the new year and new goals, I’d love some “riding plans” to work on certain issues… like step by step exercises from warm up to cool down….. a riding plan that focuses getting your horse more forward… or more supple…. Or to help build strength and stamina!
For example, this week my I feel we need to work on suppleness…so during the week I will do A. B. C. (Different riding/ lunging exercises)To help us with it….
I like to have a plan to stay focused on my goals. Hope this makes sense!
Hi Carrie, we do have this sort of help in our DMA program. As well as opportunities to send video for weekly review and much more support. If you send us an email to support@yourridingsuccess.com we can show you the program more xx
Another fantastic video breaking down the SOT. After a great lesson on monday im so fired up to progress my riding this year!
Woohoo!! 🔥🔥🔥
Amazing as always
Yay!! Thanks xx
Amazing explanation, big THANKS from Saudi Arabia 🎉
Glad it was helpful!
This is an excellent video and yes, I need to listen and watch it a few times so I can process all the information, because I need to practice bits of it at a time! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Thanks Lucie and glad you liked it. Yes a lot of people watch the video a few times to really let all of the information sink in x
Thank you soooo much for this video! At last I think I've understood what the training scale is about! Your explanations are crytal clear.
Yay!! Glad it's all clear for you!! We can't wait for you to try out this exercise xx
THE BEST CHANNEL!!! THANKS FOR THIS!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Love it!! So glad you enjoyed the video! Happy New Year! :]
I'm watching a lot of yr videos & this one, a couple of times. So powerful to get a real understanding of the training scale. Always wanted to gain a real understanding. Such a great teacher, Alicia, thankyou & to the YRS Team.
I have put some questions to you about my novice level, fears & use of a stock saddle (I know, so uncouth!). And asking about using a lunging system - like the Chambon. I can't find them to check for a possible reply, sorry if I've missed them, but keen for yr response. Can you help me please, did you see them? Biggest thankyous ❤🐴🐴🐎🐎🐎🙏❤
Hi Benita! So sorry you weren't able to find our reply to your questions. I have put our reply to you here too :] Totally okay to use a stock saddle if you feel more comfortable and safe in that. Then when you are ready you can move towards a supportive dressage saddle but also if never going to compete also don’t have to move from stock saddle!
We are not familiar with Chambon, but the reason for using double lunge is you have more control over frame where as some other lunging aids are more fixed and for this reason are not always as safe and adjustable x
Amazing! Thx so much. So clear now
You're welcome!
You are an amazing trainer and have great social skills of explaining your knowledge to us! Thank you!
LOVE it, Lina!! Thank you xx
Love the lesson! Thank you!
You're very welcome!
Another great video! I'm struggling with my 18 years old horse. It's very difficult to maintain a good rythm in canter. He always falls into trot when I try to make a circle after a staght line. Do you have some tips to keep the rythm in canter ? What should i do when he falls into trot?
Hi Marijana, great question! This could be two things, the first is that the horse is not balanced enough to maintain the canter around a circle - try riding an easier line like a half 20m circle or a bigger circle than what you have been doing and if he can keep the canter then he needs some help to keep his balance. The second thing could be the horse is not travelling forward on its own and therefore it is hard to keep the horse going. Try watching this video for some tips ua-cam.com/video/EsjG0qj60zI/v-deo.html
I don't know where to put this question. But how do the horse know when to keep moving forward or halting when riding with contact? I find my horses looses some of the forward when I start riding with more contact and putting different aids together fx shoulder in..
I have worked a lot on "leg without hand and hand without leg" until they were really good separately.
I have noticed that I tend to stop riding with my seat when I really have to concentrate so that might be it?
Or should I ride with my "legs on" all the time when riding with contact I have heard some say this?
Or what is the trick to keep the horse energy up when riding with contact but still making it really clear when you want a halt?
Best regards
Hi Sabrina! The horse's forward tendency should not stop by riding connected, in fact - the horse will often be MORE forward once connected. So if you are finding your horse slows down it just means you are missing a step in the training scale. Watch this video ua-cam.com/video/mBIi_O6GVys/v-deo.html about getting your horse on the bit and pay close attention to Alicia's contact BEFORE the horse is connected, she has hold of the reins and a steady contact with the horse's mouth (not pulling or giving it away) and then she makes enough suppleness in the horse that the horse can connect into the bridle. If you still have questions after this please ask! And no you should not ride with your leg on all the time - this will make the horse unresponsive to your aids eventually and also make the horse unhappy! Good luck x
I absolutely love this video! For me , it has been a long time since I have had any lessons and I have been making a transition into more dressage riding. This video helped give me an idea of where am at with my horses on the training scale and what to work on going forward. Thank you for making this video! It really helped deepen my knowledge of the training scale
Absolutely our pleasure! Thanks for reaching out and telling us how much you enjoyed it x
what saddle are you using? i'm in love with your ride ❤
Thank you!! Alicia prefers hennig saddles x
Very excited to be learning so much in 2022! Thanks in advanced!
Super exciting!!
hi alicia! i was wondering if you could do a video on how to improve suppleness, its my biggest struggle with my gelding :)
Hi Bethany! SUPER question! Check out the series Alicia has done on suppleness and different exercises you can do to improve- ua-cam.com/play/PLilNDMqFJS_BVrNsd7DVH8jsNt56-xkI-.html
The most valuable video for me from this series yet! Thank you sooo much!! Alicia is so fun and her teaching is phenomenal.
Question!! Advice / how to approach from a training scale perspective when the horse speeds up along the long side of the arena (I.e. I think that would fall into the (loss of) rhythm category). My horse keeps a lovely rhythm on a circle but as soon as I go straight down the long side of the arena, he speeds up. Any tips ? Thank you again!
Great question Hayley! First thing is to try and keep the speed of your rise (in the trot) or movement of your hips with the canter the same, so that like a metronome your body helps the horse keep the same tempo. Another thing that could be happening is the horse loses balance and falls on the forehand when you ride straight, where as the horse is more upright and balanced on the circle. If this is the case then slowly add more straight lines but use the circles to show the horse the balance you require and only ride straight for as long as the horse can keep balance. xx
Question: Does a horse need to have a certain personality or way of going, to be a dressage horse? Say for example my hunter horse is going to be a dressage horse, but he doesn't have the same engine or the 'never runs out of energy mindset' could we train him to be like my 3rd level horse who never stops?
Great question! We have forwarded to Alicia and team to explain for you x
Hi Jade! As long as your horse has three rhythmical paces they can do dressage and trained up the levels. There is a saying that any horse with 3 rhythmical paces can be trained to PSG. Obviously there are attributes that help horses to do the sport but there are alot of variables in that. Its one thing to think about a horse that is perfect for the sport at an olympic level and another thing to think about a horse that will be suited as an everyday rider to get to PSG level. Hope that helps! x
Amazing !!!
So glad you enjoyed the video!
Fabulous 🙏
Excellent overall video
Glad you liked it! xx
Loved this! Hope your holidays were great! Happy New Year!
Thank you! You too!
Thanks again. I am interested same as Stephen Cook here earlier; how to see when something is about the horse and when more of a rider. When to correct or train the horse more and when to focus more in my own riding.
I am also interested to hear more about an the 'have the most of your weight on your stirrups like you are standing" you have talked earlier.
Thanks so much again for amazing episode and happy new year everyone:)
So glad you enjoyed the episode Johanna! Check out this video where alicia talks more about having weight in your stirrups like you are standing..ua-cam.com/video/qL8swhRKY5s/v-deo.html
Thank you so much, inspired!
LOVE it, Nick!!
Thank you again Alicia for the video. Learnt alot but I would like to ask a question off topic. When are we going to see more of Mowgli. I would love to see more of him pleeeeeeaaaaaaaassssseeeee
Thanks Tamlyn! Okay we hear you!!! He is doing great and we will show you how good he is doing soon, you can also catch up with his adventures on our socials xx
Love it!
Thanks!!
as always, another amazing video. thank you!!
So glad you enjoyed it!
CANT WAIT YYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!!!!! Happy New Years everyone
Happy New Years!! :]
Hi, happy new year to you all.
firstly, as a novice, how can I tell if a horse is using his forehand or his hind legs?
second, i really struggle with keeping the tempo consistent, the horses always start to slow down, I feel im always having to kick to keep them going and the more it happens then I start get tired then ive lost any rhythm I had. any tips to keep a (school) horse going?
lastly, can you show us the actual aid for doing the different types of trot, canter etc. how do you get the doing a smaller trot/canter and extended trot/canter?
thank you
Jo
Hi Joanne, these are really great questions and I would really like to help you with your journey so please send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com as when I read this questions it tells me you are missing some of the basic building blocks, the first step is a horse that is travelling forward on it own, it does not need to be going fast, just travelling on its own. Then you need to make suppleness in order to get the horse to move more freely in the paces and over the back to the contact. If you follow the basics and your training scale it will answer all of those questions you have, try watching this video as well to help your understanding (and make sure to email us!) ua-cam.com/video/-Wi71i_uKsI/v-deo.html
I loved this explanation!!
Glad it was helpful!
What are the best exercises for teaching a horse rhythm? I feel like my mare has no rhythm 😔
Hi Jen, a good thing to check first is that you actually mean rhythm and not the tempo (speed), rhythm is even steps and the most common reasons a horse takes uneven steps is either soundness issue or lack of balance, is it is lack of balance you need to make the exercises easier until the horse can keep the rhythm again. If you mean the tempo, then you need to set the horses tempo with your body ie the speed you rise to the trot sets the tempo, and also improving the horses balance can help you to steady the tempo. Hope this helps x
Brilliant video. I too need to revisit to take in different bits each time. Total work in progress but this really helps.
So glad you enjoyed the video so much Liz!
I’ve been having trouble keeping a good outside rein contact. My trainer keeps telling me is not tight enough but I just have so much trouble keeping it back so I instead try to pull my inside rein to make up for it witch ends up screwing up everything else. And once I do get my outside rein tight enough and not flopping around I have no inside rein contact. So I’m having a lot of trouble keep an even and steady contact. I either have on or the other way to lose and the other to tight. Any tips????
Hi Olivia! Thanks for sharing and reaching out for help! Check out this video Alicia did on working on improving your contact off the horse - ua-cam.com/video/etDYUu5X9AA/v-deo.html
❤awesome ❤
Thank you so much!
Happy New Year! I was wondering if you have any tips with working with OTT Standardbreds, specifically to help them engage with a canter as opposed to wanting to pace. Tia
Hi Lex, the reason they pace is because it is more balanced and natural for them so the biggest thing to focus on is improving the horses balance slowly and this will discourage him from pacing. Remember that canter is not natural for them so take time and do small bits until the horse can find balance.
@@YourRidingSuccess thanks for that. I can definitely understand how it’s a balance issue. He can canter on an upward slope for a few beats - I’m wondering if he finds his bearings better as he’s going up hill, kind of like using a higher gear on a bike?
Hi Lex, yes he could find it easier as the hill encourages more hind-end engagement x
@@YourRidingSuccess that’s helpful thank you.
Can I ask how you make sure you have the correct positioning in half pass? I know the shoulders should slightly lead but by how much? How much should I be able to see if the eye/ nostril etc? I was wondering if you would do a video on this?
Hi Tameka, great question! The easiest way to ensure your half pass is correct is to take the shoulders on a diagonal line (the line of your half pass) and then to make the shape you bend the horse's ribcage like a travers. As long as you keep riding the shoulders on the diagonal line you will make a correct half pass. When riders make the mistake of losing the line with the half pass it is because they push the horse sideways with their outside leg which is incorrect. Half pass is not a sideways movement - it is a diagonal line with the horse in a travers position. Hope this helps! x
@@YourRidingSuccess thanks so much! I just did my first medium (aus) test ever on Sunday and we got 7s for our half pass!
Yay!! AMAZING job!!
This was great! I needed this🤯 Would love to see a Mowgley update at some point🐴
So glad you enjoyed it! :]
Awesome video!!
Thanks, Angie! xx
Is there a "training scale" for riders?
Hi Marju! Officially there isn't a training scale for riders like there is for training the horse however we do use one in our Dressage Mastery program. If you'd like more info on this send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com
Can you do a video on nappy or buddy/barn sour horses? It would be really helpful. :)
Great suggestion!
@@YourRidingSuccess thank you
Thank you…….You are simply inspirational
So glad you enjoyed the video so much!
I absolutely love your video's but wondering if the transitions and words that pop up, could happen silently. The whooshing and popping is a bit distracting / irritating.
Thanks for your feedback Elle! So glad you are enjoying the videos!
Thank you for the video! Do you think lunging patents are useful tools (if used appropriately with the level and capabilities of the horse) in helping develop aspects of the training scale ?
Great question Barbara! Check out this video where Alicia talks about lunging- ua-cam.com/video/9ctf9e9NDko/v-deo.html
I like your video's. They give me such an inspiration and knowledge. I really like them. Question, my horse has difficulty in learning the flying change. I am on Z1 level. He knows a simple change. I have no Idea how you call that in English. It is a change from canter to walk and than canter again. He knows the working pirouette. Het knows the counter canter. He can collect. Not top yet, but enough collection. My previous horse learned me the flying changes up to one step (don't know how you call that in Englisch ether). I have never had a horse that you cannot even get out of balance in the counter canter. He can stay in the counter canter and even get his had turned the other way, moving his shoulders in the other direction and still does not change or fall out. I got him when he was already trained up to level Z, so probably he has learned that a flying change is a bad thing. I never see him change even when he is outside in the paddock. Do you have suggestions.
So happy to hear you are enjoying the videos so much! Check out this video Alicia has done on flying changes -ua-cam.com/video/E38wK3Fm8Xc/v-deo.html
Can you please give us some exercises to assist with the Rythym when riding especially with the OTTB?
Hi Colleen, thanks for your question! When you say you need assistance with the horses rhythm, is this because the horse is taking uneven steps or you meant the horses speed (ie tempo)? x
@@YourRidingSuccess my horse is taking even steps and what I do is count in my head or sometimes out loud during a session to check the rhythm of the walk but to also check the tempo is there any other exercise that you can use to help with this?
Hi Colleen, it sounds like the issue you are struggling with is tempo if your horse is taking even steps. Its important to remember that rhythm and tempo are two different things. Rhythm is the regularity of the horses foot falls, i.e. in walk a clear four beat pattern. Tempo is the speed of which this pattern occurs. Are you finding your horse is speeding up or slowing down?
@@YourRidingSuccess he does try to speed up sometimes but I count out load as to the tempo that I want him to travel at.
Hi Colleen, that is a good way to help. You could also try using markers and aiming for a specific number of strides from one to the other to work on controlling the tempo x
Can't wait!
Love how keen you are!! :]
So I'm struggling a little at the moment and wondered if anyone could help. When I ride my horse with short reins he feels jncrsdibly heavy and stiff as a board through his body and gets a lot of comments about needing more suppleness but when I ride him with longer reins I get a lot of comments about him being downhill and feel a bit like I can't win
Hi Samantha! Thanks so much for reaching out!! We have forwarded your comment along to Alicia & team to give you some advice x
Hi Samantha! Update for you - You can win- with suppleness!! When you have longer reins, the horse is going to make the body down and long and therefore the balance will be downhill. When you have shorter reins the horse is probably shorter but stiff. What you need to think about is achieiving the short reins by actually making the horse shorter. You need to use exercises that bring the horses shoulder and hind leg closer together for you so that almost your reins would be too long rather than you feeling like you are forcing the horse into shorter reins. So exercises would include something simple like a circle, a circle with leg yield on in, shoulder-in etc.
Why have I only recently come across you!! #wherehaveyoubeenallmylife
Thanks so much for tuning in to this channel! Hope you are learning so much from the videos x
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😍😍😍
Some of us were not born with natural rythum and suffer because of it. Same reason a lot of us men can't dance. Sorry to say, but it's sadly true. Women in general have superior natural rythum.
Thank you so much for tuning in and sharing your thoughts Doug! x
Love you
Thanks Holly x
How often should I be riding my horse to increase his suppleness?
Hi Julie! Each horse is different! You can do exercises every ride that will improve suppleness if you wanted to but to what degree you need to work on this depends on the specific horse and if you are seeing resistance in your training that is indicating a lack of suppleness x
will your horse have a hard time being supple and through if his top line doesn't have enough muscle?
Hi Shelby! If the muscle development isn't fully there the horse will struggle to be completely through x
Hey whoever is editing these, just a heads up the swishing noise you're playing as you cut back and forth is drowning out what is being said. Now it could well be my headphones etc making that the case but it might be something you want to keep an eye on going forward as it's a little distracting and maybe doesn't have to be there for every cut. This is meant as constructive not an insult as I know how hard editing can be, I just don't want to miss a word of the great advice.
Thank you for your feedback! :]
#harlow luna white and popcorn
wooohooo!!
Love the video #harlow
wooohooo!!
#harlow
Great!!
#Harlow
super!!
Lost my covens again keep have winter broken down help alshet iv taken her off the sugar and is a bit betet catre her new and what get back my mogo with her
Hi Karen! Do you mean you lost your confidence? xx
@@YourRidingSuccess yes
So sorry to hear you have lost your confidence! Are you able to send us an email at support@yourridingsuccess.com for some extra help to get you back on track? x
When Alicia back x
HI Sharon! Alicia is still around!! Do you mean for something in particular? xx
Loved this, thank you. You are so inspiring x
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed the video!
#Harlow
nice!!
#harlow
perfect!!
#Harlow
Nice!!
#Harlow
Perfect!!
#Harlow
Woohoo!!
#Harlow
YAY!!
#Harlow
Love it!!