Straightness and Straightening

This weekend, I participated in a Jeremy Steinberg clinic. I am so happy to be able to experience such a wonderful training session with Cody. Jeremy has a way of communicating with the rider in outside-of-the-box ways and makes it a fun experience. His interaction keeps you on your toes while really learning a wealth of information. However, he will always make up step up your game and take your riding to the next level.

 Jeremy really challenged me to ride effectively and to get the best possible gaits out of Cody. This required me to take the initiative, which was a shock to poor Cody. He was quite confused to see his mom in control and challenging him to do new things. It was no longer a "joy ride" for Cody, but a work, challenge, and training ride. By the end of my second lesson, Cody was on my aids and listening for what was next. It was a great feeling to know that I used every ounce of Cody's ability during every minute of my ride. 

I really enjoyed Jeremy's "pop quizzes" during my rides, which only left me to go back to the hotel and read the USDF judges handbook cover to cover for the next day's lesson. During my reading, I noticed that Jeremy's version of the training scale and USDF's version differed in many ways. However, Jeremy's version made more since in the process of training a horse. His training method had been pasted down to him by the classical master,  Egon von Neindorff. His scale went (from bottom to top): rhythm, suppleness, contact, straightenING, impulsion, and collection. The USDF scale went: rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection.  Stressing the difference between straightness and straightening. 

Straightness is the act of being straight, whether it's on the rail or on the centerline. But, horses can not be perfectly straight. Like humans, they are stronger to one side than the other. Even from the start, they will be one sided. This means that no matter how hard you work at it, perfect straightness will never be achieved. This is when straightening comes into play. Even though horses can not have straightness or be straight, we, as riders, can work on straightenING the horse. Even though complete straightness can not be achieved, you can work on straightening your horse to the best of their ability.  

As well as the change from straightness to straightening, there are many other differences between the scales. USDF has "relaxation" for the second element. However, a horse can never be truly relaxed. Relaxed, by definition, is to be "free from tension and anxiety". Yes, horses can be free from both when in a stall or field, but not during work. Are the horses muscles at all relaxed during a piaffe or passage? Absolutely not! But, their mind can be in a calm-or "relaxed"- state. There are many other differences between the two, but relaxation and straightening being the biggest. 

I cannot wait for Jeremy to return next year for another clinic. I cannot wait to hear what he has to say and what I will learn.