Science Of Motion Equine Podcast

As we showed some of Chazot aggressive moves, we received many e-mails telling us that such behavior should not be tolerated. The horse, therefore should be disciplined, which exactly the reason why Chazot’s mind went into aggressive protective reflex mechanism. Punishments created the problem and more punishment would only create more problems. Our approach is to engage and challenge the horse intelligence. We do believe that when asked at a level of subtlety that is the level where horses are genetically designed to function, horses are capable to process intelligent thoughts. While exuberant and mischievous on his way to his turn out earlier in the day, Chazot is all business later in the afternoon. He is athletically calm, which mean concentrated, confident in his athletic abilities and assured that his "errors� will be analyzed instead of reprimanded.

We tolerated the intolerable because the horse’s intolerable behavior was the result of human intolerance, which is synonym of incompetence. The intolerably misbehaved horse is turning into a confident athlete because we allow his intelligence to process life through rational thoughts rather than blind submission. 

The rising trot is voluntarily done differently. The rider’s upper body is slightly inclined forward. Instead of lifting the body high above the saddle, the rider remains close form the saddle at all time. This is achieved lowering the tights and knees each side of the saddle as the horse motion is lifting the rider’s body upward. The technique permits reducing to the minimum the disturbances created by the rider’s movements above the saddle. Later, the same technique will be used to slow down the horse’s cadence.

One may wonder why slowing the horse cadence when the purpose is to create forward movement. The response has been given by many classic authors and through the wisdom of centuries, "Do not confuse speed and impulsion.� Speed is created stiffening the horse’s vertebral column. The faster the horse goes, the stiffer becomes the horse back.

Forward motion of the horse’s body, commences with proper forward transmission through the horse’s vertebral column of the forces generated by the hind legs. This demands that the horse’s vertebral column is educated to convert the thrust generated by the hind legs into horizontal forces, (forward movement,) and vertical forces, (resistance to gravity and consequently balance control.) Rushing the horse fast forward around the ring does not create forward movement. Instead, the misconception creates speed and increased load on the forelegs.

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