Straightness Training
Straightness Training is a horse training program, developed by Marijke de Jong, of progressive exercises designed to strengthen the topline and the hind quarters of the horse, in order that the horse becomes stronger and well-balanced. The goal is to make and keep our horse fit in body, mind, heart, and soul, far into his older age. By recognizing and rebalancing the natural asymmetry of our horses we can solve and prevent a lot of unnecessary stress and tension, both in body and mind.
In Straightness Training we use specific exercises, derived from the old masters and classical dressage (see: Antoine de Pluvinel, Francois Robichon de La Gueriniere, Francois Baucher), to help our horse develop the best possible physique and mental state, to be able to move and carry a rider in the most healthy way.
Did you know that many problems in riding arise from the natural asymmetry of the horse?
Is your horse hard in the mouth on one side? Does your horse buck in the canter? Is your horse speeding up in the trot and canter? Is your horse difficult to handle? These problems in riding occur when our horse lacks balance, in the body, in the mind, or in both! With Straightness Training we can help our horse become more balanced, overall!
Progressive Exercises
Straightness Training makes use of progressive exercises to strengthen the hind quarters and the topline of the horse. The horse carries more and more with the hind legs and can bend equally to the right and the left.
From left to right:
1. Unbalanced horse caused by natural asymmetry.
2. We put the Center of Mass (COM) in the middle with the FLS: Forward down, Lateral bend, and Stepping under of the inside hind leg on the circle right and left.
3. Shoulder In: the inside leg is stepping under the COM; we strengthen the topline, free the shoulders and strengthen the inside hind leg.
4. Haunches In: the outside leg is stepping under the COM.
5. On top: a well-balanced horse carrying its COM and the rider with both hind legs in a healthy way!
Before and after
Straightness Training is suitable for all horse breeds and all disciplines.
Straightness Training consists of five pillars: Groundwork, Longeing, Work in Hand, Liberty, and Riding. Naturally, at Havana Horses all horse training is carried out without use of a bit or side reins, and all our horses go barefoot!
Groundwork
All exercises such as the circle, shoulder-in, haunches-in, renvers, half-pass and pirouette, can be done in Groundwork and in Work in Hand. The main difference is the equipment we use. Groundwork is done using a cavesson and one rein or a single line; Work in Hand is carried out with two reins. Groundwork prepares the horse very well for Straightness Training at liberty.
Work in Hand
Work in hand prepares the horse for riding, by building muscles in the right places. Moreover, we build understanding for the rein aids we use in riding. In work in hand you use the reins in the same way as when ridden.
Work in Hand - Renvers with Fitri.
Longeing
In Longeing we use a longe line. The longe line has a snap on one end, which we attach to the middle ring of the cavesson. This way the horse is not disturbed in the mouth and we are able to give subtle aids. The longe line is about 5 meters long (a bit shorter than the standard 7 or 8 meters longe line).
Why longeing? Not to tire the horse, or to get the freshness off, or 'to warm up the machine'. Instead, with longeing we gymnasticise the horse, improve its balance and movement using the SLF - Stepping under, Lateral bend, and Forward down.
Watch "Why Longeing?" here on Youtube!
Liberty
When we work at Liberty, the true partnership between us and the horse is shown. We have no line, no cavesson, no reins: we cannot make the horse do something if it is not willing. Liberty shows the horse's motivation to work with us. We have to be a good place for the horse, so the horse wants to be with us. Therefore, Liberty is all about self-awareness and self-mastery!
Watch "Straightness Training at Liberty" here on Youtube!
Riding
Without a solid foundation from the ground, riding often becomes heavy, unclear or a struggle. With the right preparation in Groundwork and Work in Hand, riding becomes light, balanced, and harmonious. Riding is where all previous work on the ground comes together. Balance, suppleness, and strength, now expressed with the rider on top.
Anna van Rheeden is devoted student of the Straightness Training Academy, and is licensed Straightness Training Instructor, the only one in South-East Asia!
Book sessions Straightness Training on location at Havana Horses, or book sessions online. Feel free to contact us for more information!