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Home Forum Dressage Training How To Train A Friesian

How To Train A Friesian
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2:00 pm
February 15, 2012


Ebony Park

Narre Warren East

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I had the Horse Physio out to see the boys, and we were chatting about the way Friesians tend to ride - which is up front and tending to be quite short in the neck.

She was looking at Achillies, our young 3 1/2yo stallion and I was explaining to her, that all we do with him in the first year is to teach him how to get his neck out and away from him and then down and round in a long deep frame.

This is can be a hard thing for young Friesians as they are so used to going short. The minute you take up a contact they suck back - and yes, it might 'look' like they are 'on the bit' but they so are not!!!!

Here is the first ride I had on a Friesian broodmare in over a year. In this shot she has come short and behind the bit

When I ride, I rarely care about the head if it’s up or whatever. I'm riding the back part, the engine, the important part! Because riders can't see it, sometimes it is easy to forget about it! But this is where all the good stuff is! If you have a horse that is relaxed through the back, active hindlegs, and using the back half properly, the head is where it needs to be - it simply must be!

And here is the same horse, same ride where I have pushed her back out to take the contact

I call it ride back to front! But if you ride front to back, and only concern yourself and worry about the neck - well, you can get it to 'look' kinda right, but the back will be tight and the hindlegs traveling out behind useless and it won't 'feel' right.

When I was learning, I used to actually close my eyes, so I could develop feel. I got it to the point that when I 'felt' the horses back soften and lift, and the hindlegs engage and swing, that the head was right - and I would open my eyes, and of course it was.

It is sometimes so tempting to just pull that neck in, especially on a Friesian, so it looks ok. But believe, me your training and your riding, and your scores will improve so much more if you let go of the head and ride the back. Loes will tell you I am constantly saying 'let go'! Let go of the head and ride forward, especially on the young ones!

They need to find their own balance and equilibrium and learn how to hold themselves, as well as me on their back.

To Your Success,

Tash


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9:33 pm
May 6, 2012


Helen

Tarneit

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I find it difficult to keep my mare straight. When we are going down the long side of the arena, she moves her hinds to the centre of the arena and is looking to the outside. She argues with the leg aid.
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