Too often these days you see young horses rushed through the grades, going in an awkward frame with the onus on vertical flexion, resulting in a hollow back, uneven paces and under-developed or incorrectly developed top line. Sadly, some of these horses break down physically or mentally before reaching the higher grades. Or perhaps even worse, the more passive, tolerant ones are competing at top level competition, with a look of resignation and defeat!

Riders are often swayed by trend, or too eager to get a horse up through the grades. However, what works for some breeds of horses or individual horses, does not work for the Spanish horse. For example too much use of the long and low outline (supposedly) necessary for the warm blood will disengage a Spanish horse and place his balance on his forehand. 

Good training really equates to strengthening the horse’s muscles to allow him to have the stamina and flexibility to perform more and more advanced movements with ease. Like any athlete, strengthening takes time, maturation and a series of exercises that prepares the body for greater challenges. 

Because a horse cannot speak you must listen to him in other ways – his reaction, his attitude, his posture and his developing musculature – these are the only ways he can let you know how he is going. Training for me, is a reciprocal arrangement between horse and rider. Without this, true training is not possible. 

Like most people who start out in horses, I made many mistakes but I learned from them. The greatest shame would be if I didn’t learn a thing but I did!

       Yeguada Verdadero - Andalusians