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- TEACHING -
Our courses are open to everyone and present different notions depending on the experience of those who take part. In fact, we offer various programs for beginners and also for those who already have professional knowledge and experience on horseback.
EXPERT STUDENTS
For already experienced students, our team will be happy to contribute to increasing your horse riding skills. The instructors will test your level and will be there if you need help or for what reasonplease clarify.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE BEGINNING
The purpose of riding schools is to teach people to ride horses, so don't give up on giving it a try. Discuss your riding level or fears openly with the instructors, so they can help you during the lessons.
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CLOTHING
All new riders must wear a helmet with safety standards, in equestrian jargon this is called a cap. If you do not have a cap, the school will gladly lend you one. You will need to wear long pants and jersey (never leave a bare belly or shoulders). Clothes must be the right size because if too loose they can scare the horses. Remove any dangling jewelry and clear pockets of keys and cell phones. Shoes should be low, with a small heel. Not running shoes or work boots, because you need the power to slip out of the stirrup in case of a fall. Gloves are optional but advisable. Long hair should be styled with rubber bands.
WHAT TO DO AT THE STABLES
If you are a new student, try to be at the riding school a little early to try on the cap that we will lend you and to fill out the various forms.
HORSES: HOW TO BEHAVIOR
The school horse is assigned to the pupil based on what the instructor considers to be the best fit for him, taking into account the animal's temperament and personality, age, and the pupil's riding ability. Maximum attention is paid to the horse-pupil combination. Instructors will teach you from time to time how to behave but basic:
- Do not shout or make sudden noises so as not to frighten the horses;
- Do not walk behind the horses;
- When you lead your horse always keep an appropriate distance from other horses;
- Do not leave your belongings on the ground to prevent the horse from stepping on them;
- Do not wrap the halter or reins around your hands;
- If you have doubts of any kind ask your instructor.
LIVE THE HORSE
Try, before climbing into the saddle, to get to know the horse better. You can do this by petting him, bringing him some carrots to eat, or helping the groom of care. Thus arrives without too much fear the time to "mount the saddle." Do this gently, being careful not to fall weightlessly on the saddle but sitting gently, as if between your bottom and the seat, there are fragile things that should not be broken or crushed. Remember that it is good to be relaxed and natural , you need to mount loosely, remembering to breathe normally. Apprehension and haste are to be avoided at all costs in order to ride well. Avoid using a lot of physical force and strong manners, prefer instead a lot of patience and spirit of sacrifice in order to learn the correct "position in the saddle." Try to always "assist" the horse, at first just: legs, voice and be careful not to hinder him in his natural movements. Very important to remember is not to "stick to the mouth" to find balance, that is, do not exert too much force on the reins. Mentally repeat from time to time: shoulders open, pelvis forward, chin high and head loose, arms naturally falling toward the body; When with the horse (more or less symbiotically) you have to turn, remember: your gaze must always anticipate the direction.
THE HORSE'S HUMORS
There are several behaviors we can observe to understand our horse's mood:
- When his ears are forward and his head raised, it means he is interested in his surroundings, but also in a state of alertness;
- When the ears are perpendicular to the head, the horse is quiet, curious and alert;
- Ears back and lips pulled back, means the horse is feeling strong anger and discomfort;
- Ears forward and muzzle raised, indicate that the horse is trying to understand, scrutinize and evaluate;
- When ears are relaxed and open, it is calm and does not present fear;
- When ears are pulled back, he feels fear and discomfort.
BASIC PRINCIPLES
RHYTHM
Rhythm refers to the interval of the beats on the ground. In trotting and galloping, this interval is also governed by the duration time of the suspension phase: the longer this is, the slower the suspension rhythm.
DECONTRACTION
Decontraction refers to the horse's looseness and muscle tone throughout the work. It is a readiness for athletic exercise, which does not arise from the need to satisfy a need (eating, drinking) or even from the threat of punishment, but from a psychological condition of trust in man and an ability to concentrate determined by the rider himself.
THE CONTACT
Contact is defined as the elastic, constant and quiet union between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth. The constant contact, provided by the rider's hand and produced by his propulsive aids, enables the horse to find the natural security to move with regularity and balance at all gaits.
THE IMPULSE
Impulse refers to the horse's full readiness to work demonstrated by the engagement of the hindquarters and the suppleness of the back. It is expressed in qualitative terms in the ability to "push weight and carry weight" without loss of balance, and in relation to the degree of training.
THE STRAIGHT HORSE
For the horse to make best use of the thrust produced by the hind end, it must be muscularly symmetrical therefore necessarily straight.
HORSE GATHERING
Gathering refers to the horse's ability to carry weight on its hindquarters while simultaneously pushing it forward and up. The main purpose of flatwork is to be able to train a horse in such a way that it is not only comfortable to ride and willing to carry out the rider's requests, but that it can remain sound for as long as possible. For this, it is important that the horse's weight, along with that of the rider, be distributed over the four limbs.
THE ANDATURES
There are three natural gaits of the horse: stride, trot and gallop. Each gait has a distinct motor pattern, called rhythmicity of gait. Varying the amplitude of movements results in variations in rhythm. Choosing a rhythm that is too fast or too slow can cause alterations to the rhythmicity of a gait, which, especially in dressage, is a serious deterioration of the gait.
THE PACE is a walking, symmetrical, basculated gait in which the horse's limbs pose, for diagonal bipeds, one after the other in four well-marked tempi that are maintained regularly throughout the stride work.
THE TROT is a two-stroke gait separated by a suspension time, in which the horse advances by diagonal bipeds with simultaneous support of the corresponding front and hind (left front and right hind and vice versa). At the trot, the pastern performs its balancing function by remaining stationary.
THE GALLOP is a three-step gait, skipped, asymmetrical and tilted. In the right gallop, for example, the beats follow each other in the order: left hind, left diagonal, right fore, followed by a suspension time before the start of the next stride. The quality of the gallop is judged by the overall impression, by the regularity and lightness of the three tempi resulting from the acceptance of the muzzle, with a soft nape, the engagement of the hind that comes from the activity of the hips, as well as the aptitude to retain the same rhythm and a natural balance even after a transition from one gallop to another. The horse should always remain completely straight on the straight line.
- ANDATURES -
Below we will give you specific information about the three different gaits of the horse so that you can better understand all the movements.
THE PACE
The stride is divided into medium, elongated and free.
Medium stride: this is a firm, regular and casual stride of medium extension. The horse held in the hand walks decisively with frank, wide and regular strides, with the hind hooves resting in front of the front hoofprints. The rider must have soft contact with his horse's mouth.
Extended stride: the horse covers as much ground as possible without rushing and altering the rhythmicity of the gait. The hind hooves rest sharply in front of the front hoofprints. The rider lets his horse stretch his pastern and advance his head without, however, losing contact with the horse's mouth.
Free striding: this is a resting gait in which the horse is given complete freedom to lower his head and stretch his pastern.
THE TROT
The trot is divided into gathered, working , medium and stretched trot.
Gathered trot: the horse, held with the hand, leads forward with the raised and rounded pastern; the hindquarters, definitely engaged, load weight and maintain the energy of the drive, thus allowing it to move with ease in all directions; it is lighter and more mobile.
Working trot: This is an intermediate gait between the gathered and medium trot in which the horse exhibits good balance. It is carried forward with even, elastic and also very active strides that emphasize the importance of the drive that comes from the activity of the hindquarters.
Medium trot: This is an intermediate gait between the working trot and the extended trot. The horse leads forward frankly; the rider allows the horse to lower his head and pastern.
Lengthened trot: the horse covers as much ground as possible and lengthens the stride to the maximum thanks to a lot of momentum from the hindquarters. The movement of front and hindquarters should be similar at the moment of forward extension.
THE GALLOP
Galloping is divided into gathered, working, medium and elongated.
Gathered gallop: the horse, carries itself forward with the neckline raised and rounded. The shoulders are free mobile and soft. The horse takes shorter strides, but is lighter and more mobile.
Working gallop: this is an intermediate gait between the gathered gallop and the medium gallop. In this phase, the horse has good balance, carries forward lightly and keeps the hips active.
Medium gallop: this is an intermediate gait between the working gallop and the elongated gallop. The horse carries forward strongly, the impulses from the hindquarters are stronger. The horse carries the head a little in front of the vertical, the movement should be elongated and casual.
Elongated gallop: the horse covers as much ground as possible, keeps the same rhythm, lengthens its stride to the maximum without losing its lightness thanks to a very strong impulse developed from the hindquarters.
