Let go - the basis for everything

Only a horse that is physically and mentally relaxed is willing and able to perform. But that's true
really? Is nothing possible without letting go? Christoph Hess attended the FN seminar for trainers
on the RZ Frese Immenhöfe facility is dedicated to exactly this topic.

Let's start with a little...
same with us humans. "If
someone like a madman
hand brush running around,
Not only does this get on everyone's nerves
ven, but rather he can't do any
Maximum performance, i.e. optimal results
achieve at work,” describes Chris-
Toph Hess. We need a safe and
appreciative environment that gives us the necessary
agile confirmation for our actions. In the
Ideally, it should be like this that we get out of the
Rest assured, keep a cool head
can preserve. Only then can we
work well. With our favorite four-legged friends
It's the same with horses. "If
someone asks me what's the most important thing in
training and dealing with horses
I have a very clear answer,
the detachment,” explains Christoph
Hess. It doesn't matter whether it is
an Olympic rider, a show jumper or
dressage rider or a field-forest-and-
Wiesen-Reiter acts above all else
the detachment stands. The A and O
the training of a horse should be,
that this can be let go.
The definition of detachment is relative
brief, but even more so in its meaningfulness
more important. “Detachment is physical
and psychological relaxation of the horse",
describes Christoph Hess. The German
Equestrian Association (FN) defines this
Let go as the second point on the
Scale of training as follows: “From Los-
calmness is spoken of when the horse
lets go internally, moves freely and
the horse's entire musculature and
cooperates tensely. This is what makes it happen
properly positioned to excel in all three
Basic gaits consistent and consistent
to be able to move forward extensively,
without rushing the movement.”
The scale of training is the foundation
the classic riding theory. A system,
those on well-being and maintaining health
of the horse. It takes
the rhythm, the uniformity of all steps and kicks
and jumps, the first point of the scale
of training. The rhythm is tight with that
appropriate tempo. It follows
already the detachment. According to Hess
also the reference, the third point
the scale of training for those who are let go
sence relevant. “For me they are the first
three points on the training scale
important to every rider, regardless of
his performance level, has to work",
summarizes Christoph Hess.
The important role of the rider
The FN seminar also quickly became the same
Connection of the first three points
the scale of training, which together
the habituation phase in training
of a horse, clearly. Four Horses
Rider combinations came into play there
Enjoy live demo training and what
ren the trainers’ objects of analysis. Two
five-year-old horses, one experienced pony
an eleven-year-old young rider as well
an older, more trained horse,
which causes a tongue defect due to tension
showed – the horses were more different
couldn't be and still connected
them one, the goal of the promotion or also
Creating detachment.
Christoph Hess asked right at the beginning
clear: “If a horse has no inner and
external detachment is the whole thing
Cavalry worthless, almost can
getting dangerous".
But what includes
actually the mental one
and physical letting go?
First of all, we must
let go as a rider. The
Horse can't go
be more relaxed than that
the person in the saddle
is. “A cramped friction
ter never brings a horse to rest
Let go. Rather, this one must
through a hand-independent and
balanced seat for the horse
convey unity,” explains Christoph Hess.
In addition, there is always something to be mastered
tasks should be set. Regardless of whether
it is a young up-and-coming rider
or a young horse acts, the tasks
a training session should be addressed to the trainers
dung level and the mental state of
Horse and rider can be adjusted. Consequently
a horse comes from mentally letting go
to physically let go. The rider should
come to the drive and the horse
moves in rhythm from behind
forward over the back
the bit, to a constant
soft springy connection
to the horse's mouth.
Speaking of back: this one
should be used as a movement
act as center.
Also veterinarian Dr. Timo
Schäfer confirms that
a horse always as
to be seen as a whole
that should. “The back
hand, the back and
the forehand should be one
This is the only way to represent a constant connection
“Let go arise,” explains Dr. Timo
Schäfer and adds: “If these three parts
If you don't correspond, it will happen quickly
Blockages and protective postures. these can
quickly have serious health consequences
“pull yourself”. The veterinary point of view was not
only informative for the seminar participants,
but also increases the relevance again
the interaction of the first three points
the scale of training.
The engine has to be right

The basis for the development of detachment
Senheit, actually of everything, is the beat and
associated with the right pace. "A
I have to get to grips with a tense horse first.
are sufficient. It has to be me as a rider as well as mine
accept driving help. If I only
sit on it and act as helmsman
“That’s too little,” describes Christoph Hess,
which is why he asks all seminar participants first
let him ride forward once fresh. How come
Work pace? A horse has to be in line
find weight, become associated with it
back to front in all basic gardens, so
in two, three and four beats. The
forms the prerequisite for this
the horse lets go and opens in the throat.
A horse should always be in front of those driving
Stand up for help and accept it, just like that
a constant connection can arise.
Make you feel good

“In my opinion there is too much
sit. You should always trot lightly
and also canter in a relaxed seat,
to give the horses right at the start of one
to give a good feeling to the training session
and to promote their detachment,”
explains Christoph Hess. For this one should
Riders are always happy to remain flexible
Start by making the brackets two to three holes shorter
buckle up and just move forward fresh
gallop. Consequently, a horse finds better
into balance, acts from behind
the back forward, opens in the
neck and lets go.
In addition, a rider comes better
to drive. In addition to the optimal
A rider has to push again and again
at its hand-independent seat
work. This is ideal for this
one-handed riding. Take
Just put the reins in
one hand and put it
the other hand on the
thigh, whereby
any influence only
still from the drifting
running out of help
can. And very important-
tig: When recording
the reins should be clear
be that the outer hand
is leading. “The outside hand
leads and the inner hand acts almost as
Decoration,” explains Christoph Hess.
The miracle weapon
When the right pace is found and a
balanced seat is given, comes the
Miracle weapon “transitions” into the game. "Above-
Walks are the perfect exercise for me,
about the detachment of a horse
“develop and promote,” describes Hess.
First of all you should deal with transitions
start between the basic gaits, so
Trot-gallop-trot transitions or walk
Trot-walk transitions.

Very important: It should always be the “new”
Basic gait can be started and not
the “old” basic gait ended. Because
Transitions should primarily be about the driving ones
Aids (to the front) can be ridden. The
everything, i.e. the change of, for example
the two-stroke to the three-stroke and vice versa,
everything should flow in a flow from behind
the movement center back to the front
take place. With young horses it is important
that the transitions first with leanings
be ridden to the gang. After that you can
changed to large curved lines
become. Bid with experienced horses
There are also transitions within one
Basic gait. For example
canter jumps
open compass side extended
and to the closed circle
page can be shortened again.
You should always pay attention to this
Make sure your horse is in front of you
ren driving aids,
his neck as a balancing pole
and not used as a “fifth” leg.
“Transitions promote balance
of a horse and more and more comes
“to let go,” summarizes Christoph Hess
together. Let's remember again
to the relevance of the outer hand as well
the driving aids.
It is also possible to promote these aspects
Reduce the size of the leg switches and square
and enlarge. In young horses and
Inexperienced riders should start with
Crossing can be started on the circle.
Leave from the open side of the circle to the
the closed side of the circle. That's how it will be
a horse increases through the inner leg
driven forward on the outside rein. If
If this succeeds, the thigh can give way
can be ridden diagonally.
Everything works?
These are all wonderful exercises to...
to get the horse to let go and
to promote permeability. As a check
function of those as well as the internal and external ones
Removing the reins is suitable for letting go
let the hand chew. A horse should
stretch forward downwards, the bit
search without becoming more hasty. Succeed
that, that's just like a good mule-girl
activity is a good indication of a let go
Horse and only on this basis can or
better said, lessons should be developed
become. We should treat our horses as friends
and not see them as slaves, which is clearly why
creates a relaxed, relaxed atmosphere
is required. This is the only way horse and rider can
pull together, to become a unit
and work together to achieve it
of individual goals.

Text: Mona-Sophie Bimmel