The Philosophy of Collection

Work in-hand, can help to prepare the horse efficiently, to develop mobility, engagement and collection. This Classical approach can form a fundamental part of a training programme. These exercises will also help to build a foundation of trust and empathy between horse and trainer.

Let us look at ‘collection’ not just as a technical term but within the whole philosophy of training the horse. Imagine watching a horse grazing in the field, relaxed and eating peacefully. Suddenly he sees something on the horizon which startles him and he gallops off with his head and neck in the air, full of fear and flight. Then he comes to a halt, now understanding that he is not being threatened, but his initial excitement remains. Just as quickly the horse changes from fear to fun and his strides reflects his pride and poise. His movement is reminiscent of the Classical High School, executed with perfect grace, balance and self assurance. His neck is arched with pride as he displays both power and elevation. Fear has become fun and the horse is displaying his natural talent – for true collection.

When the horse moves in collection, his haunches begin to take more of his body weight. The hind limbs increase in propulsion and significant energy is created which allows the horse more stability and increases his cadence. His spine and rib cage will naturally elevate, enhancing mobility of his forehand and shoulders. This process can only happen in a natural way, if the neck of the horse is allowed to extend up and away from the wither demonstrating a ‘proud’ lengthened and arched neck. The head of the horse should be allowed to relax into a balanced position, just in front of the vertical line. When we use side reins on a horse we need to ensure that he is within this posture and not restricting his neck backwards but allowing his forward movement to flow.

CORE STABILITY
Core-stability enhances true balance which is the essence of self-carriage. We talk about core-stability for the rider but this is also a goal within training, for our horse. Imagine the relaxed rider with a lengthened relaxed neck, released jaw and mobility of the shoulders. The rider is aware of deeper core breathing which will enhance lower back stability.
Now picture the horse with the lengthened relaxed neck, release of jaw, mobilized shoulders as a result of deep regular breathing and the exercises which will help him build strength within his core. This is the purpose of the work in hand. The horse becomes attentive, yet calm and executes with precision, exercises to achieve these goals. Mobility and Collection can be built upon these foundations.

I often work my stallions with no tack which is a very interesting method as I can observe so much about the individual movement of the horse, with no rider or tack. I have noted that when the horse is attentive and working energetically, he naturally releases through a fluid spine. He lowers and stretches his neck carriage, firstly up and away from the withers then forwards with a lowered head. In this way we can help the horse to work correctly and prepare him well for more collected work. He learns to move in a good working posture which will be the key to learning a more advanced carriage with the rider. If we can understand the nature of the horse within this unrestricted work, it will help us to determine the amount of energy and attention we need from each individual horse, to enhance his natural talent. We can also observe his natural ability and help the horse with specific exercises to assist his development. Loose work, lungeing and work in hand can all help to prepare the horse, mentally and physically to assist his development throughout training.

WORK IN HAND - SMALL CIRCLE LEFT
Work in hand, on the small circle, will help to improve mobility, engagement and freedom within the shoulders. This exercise below will also assist in controlling the shoulders. In my last article I described the small circle left and below is an extension of this exercise which will further assist control and mobility of the shoulders.

Let us go back to the initial exercise, the small circle left. If we are preparing to circle anti clock-wise, we must position ourselves in front of the horse and turned slightly in to face him from our right hand side.
Hold the horse with the left hand, with the head and neck of the horse on your left. Encourage the horse, with your voice, body language and whip (in your right hand) to commence walking a small circle around you. The steps should be forward then across. The front legs should cross over as if performing a turn on the forehand whilst the hind limbs inscribe the larger circle.
. If the horse appears stressed then halt and give a deep sigh. The horse will quickly mirror your release of tension and give a sigh himself. In this way you can commence the exercise again with a more relaxed mind.
We should be prepared to move a step or two backwards, as the horse circles around us. He must have sufficient space to mobilize his shoulders, to step forwards then across. If he is given too little room for movement, he may take a backward step which is totally incorrect.

WORK IN-HAND - EXERCISE TO ASSIST CONTROL OF THE SHOULDERS
1 Commence by making a complete circle anti-clockwise, as described above
2 Then make a track, yielding away from the circle, so the horse is moving laterally, across the school. The horse will be on the left and you will be facing his shoulder and neck.
3 Then, direct the shoulders of the horse, across to the right, to establish a new circle on the right rein. The shoulders will now take the large (outside) track around the circle.The haunches will inscribe the smaller, inside track. This is the reverse of the first circle exercise where the hind limbs took the larger track.
4 The fore limbs and shoulders must lead the movement with the hind limbs taking the smaller strides forwards and across.
5 When the circle is completed, decrease the movement of the shoulders – taking smaller steps on the outer circle.
6 The horse is directed away from the circle to walk laterally, for a few strides, across the school.
7 Encourage the horse, slowly, to move his croup back onto the left circle.
This will complete the sequence of the exercise.

The work in-hand is capable of gaining impressive results for both horse and rider. A feeling of ‘oneness’ and empathy may be gained, which may not have been achieved so effectively, if this stage had been neglected. These exercises will prove to be beneficial at every level, as the horse progresses his ability to collect, he may later, be taught the High School movements of Piaffe and Passage, in-hand. This highly collected work demands great impulsion and energy which can be contained with steady precision. It may take years of teaching for the horse to feel comfortable and be well prepared for this level of work. If these exercises are undertaken too soon, it will cause unnecessary anxiety for the horse.

Collection will be achieved through a thoughtful programme of exercises to enhance core-stability for the horse. Once he has become strong enough to sustain this controlled power, with a mind both focused and calm, horse and rider will unite. The fruits of training will be discovered where two spirits come together in harmony and dance.