Collection

The pinnacle of dressage ✨

When horses reach collection, they are finally able to shift weight off of their forehand, and achieve balance over all four legs. The hindquarters have developed carrying power, and the joints of the hind legs bend to a greater degree, in order to propel the horse upward and forward.

As a by product of collection, the horse’s shoulders are able to move with more freedom. There is a lowering and increased engagement of the hindquarters, which ultimately leads to harmony between horse and rider.

Although we have started at the bottom tier and worked our way from rhythm/relaxation to collection/self-carriage, each step of the training scale is meant to be interrelated, as one level cannot be achieved in isolation. It is important to routinely asses your horse’s journey towards self-carriage, as reaching the pinnacle of the training scale will assist you in whichever discipline you choose to participate. Dressage is the foundation of good riding.

Exercises or movements - beginner, intermediate and advanced - that allow you to further develop collection:

Beginner - Become familiar with the School Halt. I wish someone had told me this long ago, but in order to begin teaching your horse how to collect in their body, it is important that you spend time on the ground helping them understand how to 1) shift weight on to their hindquarters and 2) how to lift their sternum/wither junction. The school halt is basic enough for a beginner to teach it from the ground, using either traditional training methods or positive reinforcement (my preference!).

Intermediate - In the corner of your arena, ride a ten meter circle in shoulder fore. When you get back to the wall, ride shoulder in down half of your arena, and then perform haunches in down the second half of the arena wall. Repeat this exercise in both directions.

Another variation of this exercise is to ride shoulder in down half of your long side, and then lengthen across the short diagonal. This exercise can be done in any gait.

Advanced - Start on the wall and half pass to the quarterline, then ride straight for a few strides. Ride half pass to centerline, then ride straight for a few strides. Ride half pass to the next quarterline, then ride straight for a few strides. Ride half pass to the arena wall and go straight. Repeat both directions. Exercise can be done in any gait.