Connection

“The Gateway To Impulsion”

Contact is the connection and acceptance of the bit through the acceptance of the aids.

In correct contact, the reins are taut and form a straight line from the rider’s elbows to the horse’s mouth. There is no loop. “Acceptance of the contact” means that the horse maintains a soft mouth and can easily be influenced by the rider’s hands. A horse who is not accepting of the contact often braces, locks the jaw, or has other resistance problems.

“The horse must go confidently to the bit, seeking the rider’s hand contact. Contact is needed to balance the horse, keep him supple, regulate the impulsion, straighten the horse, guide the turns, and to collect. True contact must come from the activating and allowing seat and leg aids, not a pulling with the hand.” - Walter Zettl

Connection is a beautiful and freeing feeling, and when you find it, you must re-create it over and over! ✨

Exercises and/or movements to develop connection:

Beginner - On the ground, find a pair of reins or even a lead rope, and ask a friend to help you with this exercise. Have your friend hold one rein in each hand, and you do the same, as if you are riding. Take turns having one of you (“the rider”) close your eyes, while the other pretends to be the horse’s mouth and moves their hands every which way. The rider’s goal is to keep the reins taut no matter where the horse tries to take the reins. Sometimes this means extending your arm, and other times this means bending the elbow and bringing your arms in close. Then, try to translate this same feeling of connection to your horse, when you’re on his back.

Intermediate - In walk, trot and canter, slowly lengthen your reins and then quickly gather them up again. Your horse should gently lick and chew, soften the poll, shift their weight back, and easily adjust to whatever posture you are asking for.

Advanced - In any upper level movement or exercise, you should have brief moments where you “give” the contact. Think of pushing a shopping cart forward. You don’t push the cart so it rolls away, you stay connected through your hands and glide along with the cart. The same goes for the horse. In these moments of giving, you should be able to lighten your seat or apply an ounce of leg pressure, and at this stage, you should be able to feel your horse lifting through his sternum and up through the withers. This is an indicator your contact is true.

Additional resources to learn more about connection:

Centered Riding Books 1 & 2

Find a Centered Riding Instructor or Clinician near you

Happy Riding!