Every horse, like every human being, is a bit crooked and that asymmetry can cause imbalance. That imbalance can eventually cause overload, which leads to injuries. Fortunately, you can also influence this very well through training. The straightness training at Equi-Pura means optimally balancing horse and rider. Straightness training for the horses is about both the vertical balance (left-right) and the horizontal balance (front-back). To achieve that balance, work is done from the ground and under the saddle.

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IN HAND GYMNASTICS

Working in hand is an ideal way to train your horse without load to optimize his body use. Initially, the vertical balance is improved and then the horizontal balance. For example, the horse is supposed to lift his back, tilt his pelvis and tighten his core muscles on both the left and right hand. This creates some sort of arc tension in the body from which you can bring the hindquarters more to collection further on in training. There are many small elements and with each horse it is different which element requires more attention at which stage of the training process.

You can teach young horses to improve balance and strength in preparation for being saddle broken. Also later in the training to learn certain exercises correctly such as the side passes. Gymnastics in hand are also interesting to keep a horse smooth and fit. For example, there are many riders who run into the piaffe because their horse finds it difficult or because they have never done it themselves and neither has their horse. Piaffe is an exercise in which all puzzle pieces have to fall in the right place to make it work. As a rider you want to strengthen the hindquarters so that the horse can start to carry more. By removing the weight of the rider at the top, you initially make it a little easier for the horse while learning. If it works well on the hand, then the step to perform it under the saddle is easier.

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GYMNASTICS UNDER THE SADDLE

While riding, work is done on the balance of the horse from the rider's seat. Both learn to work on the correct body use. The exercises that have already been learned on the hand are further included in combination with a rider. You can also take gymnastics lessons under the saddle without prior in hand work. While riding, as in the groundwork, we look to improve the vertical and horizontal balance. By correctly teaching the horse to ride on its 4 legs and control your posture yourself, you get a nice communication that leads to more balance and strength. So gymnastics is not only for dressage riders, but suitable for every discipline and level. Due to the knowledge of the muscles and basic principles of each exercise, the highest goal can be achieved step by step with simple instructions.