The beauty of my job is that I get to work with so many different horses. Most of them have jobs other than being an upper level dressage horse. Some are kids' and AA jumpers, some are serious Grand Prix jumpers, some are eventers, some are trail horses and some are professional dressage horses. They all come with their own set of abilities, conformation, personality, training, and age related issues.
I have developed a methodology to assess how to best help every horse, and also to remain as safe as possible. It goes something like this: small circle walk, lateral work, change direction/reverse turns, Uebertreten, (how is the contact? is the horse right or left handed and how pronounced is his crookedness?), posting trot on a small circle, lateral work (even if only the "idea" in young horses, sitting trot (will he let me into his back?), and only if all affirmative do I ask for a canter on a circle.
As I work with and get to know each horse, I love the moment at which initial confusion and possible resistance turns into enthusiasm. I have very involved and intricate conversations with my seat and leg aids and the horse's back and hind legs. I often hear myself muttering "use your back!" and "there's your balance!!!" The idea of enabling self carriage even in less advanced horses by aligning them properly is essential. Usually there is some improvement in the first ride. If I get to ride the horse on the following day as well, I can often tell by the way they walk when I first get on that they have benefited from the work: Strides longer, neck stretched forward and down, a relaxed back.
But there is one older horse who didn't respond in any dramatic positive way over the course a couple of months. Sure, he had a few days that felt slightly better, but I could tell he hadn't bought into the program. I really thought that maybe his body was just a bit too old and too stiff to be able to use himself better. I continued to work with him gently as I was tasked, but had resigned myself to thinking that I wouldn't see any major improvements. Then for a few days he even seemed a little less motivated and stiffer.
Today, however, I felt a difference when I picked up the reins: There was a connection from his hind end!! As I gently maneuvered him into a bit of shoulder fore and haunches in he stayed through. I could feel the muscles in his back working for the first time. His trot was more forward with a nice reach in his neck toward the bit. Yes, he did lose that lovely balance here and there, but overall, he felt like a younger, stronger version of himself. He was even able to maintain that back to front connection a bit in the canter. And he looked pretty darn happy with himself.
This was a big wake up call for me: Who am I to give up on a horse. This work isn't a quick fix. It's a therapeutic means that is meant to strengthen, align, balance, and heal over a horse's life time. While it is wonderful to see some improvement happening quickly, it's certainly not a speed contest. And just as it is my job to try my best for every horse, it's my job to believe in every horse.
