Dealing with Resistance - Dr Andrew McLean - Qld Festival of Dressage 2014

Dealing with Resistance - Dr Andrew McLean - Qld Festival of Dressage 2014

[@SandraHippoLogic]

I really love Andrew McLeans approach of riding from the horses anatomy and biomechanics and of course his knowledge of the learning theory. I enjoyed this whole video and loved every minute of it. Thank you for sharing this, Localhorsemag.

[@danielthomas3333]

Ethology is the alpha and omega of training. The horse doesn’t have to learn anything, he just has to be presented with choices that are natural and are ethologically sensible. This means we have to be able to communicate with him. Generally, this involves position posture and movement. And it all starts with establishing yourself as his trusted leader.

[@maryanneking9855]

Wow, such great information.....love Andrew McLean!

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

I like the comment about the the front legs telling the back legs what to do. This is not new information. What is new however, is the scientific knowledge as to why certain procedures developed over 150+ years ago in training horses actually work and why. The Procedure of the Effect d'Ensemble of Baucher's Second Manner (NOT the First) which has its EFFECT on the front legs, is why it is a Technique that should be trained. The various nuances ( and there are many) of the "action" by the rider of the Effect d'Ensemble, has many benefits in controlling the front end of the horse, and especially the procedure of lifting the chest and the withers.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

...and don't forget the weight aids for turning!

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

That girl never stopped kicking that pony all the way through that session.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

I am personally familiar with Andrews work via his son Warick when he was in the UK. Certainly his methods did not work when he schooled any of my competition quality warmbloods. It was then after that failure I sought another methodology. That was of Baucher's Second Manner. The results have been as a result incredible. it's a way if riding that requires a VERY independent seat. Something few are blessed with because they are not taught the importance of aquireing one in tbe first place.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Andrew ....did you read Baucher Second Manner when you did your research of the "old Masters"?? If you want to stop leaning on the bit you have 2 options depending of what is causing the "Leaning". One is the Demi Arret (French one) if it is "weight" in the hand....or a Descrete Flexion of the Jaw if the leaning is caused by a contraction of the back. Its that simple. Of course if you ride with Contact or "Appui" as your system does, then the horse will never be in self carriage which is Descent des Aids.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Those pectoral muscles used for stopping can be influenced by The Effect d'Ensemble which should be taught and can be used to do a "Half Halt" mid gait to "Decontract" the horse or if sustained rather then performed briefly an "Emergency Stop" Quite useful X country or when Jumping and the horse gets excited and the beginnings of being out of control. It is a stopping on the Spurs without Pulling on the reins!

[@ShanonT12]

I have the volume up all the way in the program and in my settings. Am I the only one having a super quiet sound here? Some videos are super loud, but this one is sooooo soft. Is this my PC or the way they recorded it??

[@ingridthechef44]

+Shanon Thatcher I had issues too but I restarted my Mac and it got better. I also watched it on my Samsung Galaxy tablet (more of an Android technology) and it was better on the non-Mac/Apple machine.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

a far more effective way of controlling shying is indeed to get the horse to travel strait. The best method is not to use the direct rein against the fence like this video advises as it will cause the horse to "Hug" the fence with it's shoulders encouraging it to travel crooked. That is to say obliquely with the hunches into the school which is an evasion!! A more sophisticated and correct way is to teach the Travers and Ranvers and couple them as needed with the Neck Rein to Place the horse Straight.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Horses should always be ridden on semi taught reins in Ressamble (Collection), with stop breaks on loose reins for a rest. Wither lifted (to reduce weight on the forelegs) , Neck high (Poll Highest Point so they can see where they are going) in Ramener (Head hanging off the end of the neck like a Chandelier , face on or JUST INFRONT of the vertical) in a tempo that they can sustain the correct body Posture with the Pelvis Tucked. The gait should not be amplified or moved up a gear until they are capable of MAINTAINING the correct Ressamble Posture. Start in walk (The Counted Walk) doing all the lateral exercises such as Travers etc, BEFORE progressing onto a slow trot, and aslo doing the same lateral excersises they learnt in walk....then the Canter, ALWAYS maintaining the Posture correct. If it cannot be maintained STOP and go back to last point and build up more strength BEFORE trying again in the more ample gaits. It should be 2 years +/- from initial backing before a young horse or re trainee and spoilt horse can be cantered.

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

Dr Andrew McLean is the world's most esteemed equine neuroscientist and a recipient of some of the world's most prestigious science awards. You know more than him, do you?

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Lengthening should be done from a tap from the heal not a tap on the shoulder!

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

When a horse is Straight is is basically free to do what he likes, rear, take off or buck. Bend him and keep his hind legs crossing he can do none of those things! Once he understands the convention is that we DONT do those things, the one rein Stop is no longer needed. I have only used it on my "problem" horses half a dozen times and not ever needed to again. Once that behaviour has been extinguished, straitness training can then begin.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

.....and leaning is either a Resistance of Weight or one of Force. Deal with each one differently. Weight is Leaning and that is delt with by the French "Demi Aret" and NOT the Germanic Half Halt Andrew is taking about here. Resistance of Force is when the horse is "Fighting the rider" is delt with by a Flexion of the Jaw or the Effect d'Ensemble within the gait if the flexion of the Jaw is ignored. To change transitions is nonsensical as a cure.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

the stick should be used where the leg is NOT on the shoulder! This way the horse will assosiate the leg with the "possibility" of use of the whip. Used on the shoulder will cause the horse to be move away from the whip and is used to train the indirect Neck Rein!!

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

You should be reported for spamming.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

@@elizabethblackwell6242 ?

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

The Rider needs to be taught NOT to pull back by drawing the arms back towards her body with her biceps. This action is Crude and will end up in causing the very thing this video it trying to correct, which is resistances. . To achieve a halt or step back. It is a CLOSING AND SQUEEZING ACTION of the lower 3 fingers on the rein that provokes the slowdown/halt or rein back. Rein back is alternate "hands" . If you want the rein back to commence with the right leg then close the right fingers on the rein first and visa versa. Its important to understand and to teach people HOW to Squeeze. It is a 2 PART procedure. First is the "Take" and the second is the "Release" . The "Take" is the application of "pressure" onto the tongue by the metal bit. This should NOT be punitive which a PULL BACK on the rein would be (Hence NEVER PULL). It should merely be an irritation to the horse that he wishes to "get rid of". By using the fingers on the rein rather than the biceps to PULL, one is IMMEDIATELY removing strong action on the tongue which causes resistances and heaviness/leaning/bracing in downwards transitions. The "Release" part of a "SQUEEZE" is the horse's REWARD for moving away from the pressure of the "Take". Horses learn from REWARDS from being released from pressure. So start sweezing the rein with your lower 3 fingers! It also has the benefit of provoking a Flexion of the Jaw which is a swallowing action which releases the TMJ joint causing relaxation. Pulling like this rider is doing is the best way to creating leaning on the hand and as seen in this video causes the horse to duck behind the vertical to avoid the pain of the PULL on it's tongue from the riders rough action on the metal bit in the mouth. Reference to Baucher's methods (2nd Manner) would not go amiss here. The horse should be "Behind the bit, but in front of the leg". That way the Face will be on the vertical with the Poll as the highest point with the withers elevated which in turn will cause the neck to lift FROM THE BASE The Pelvis will now be able to tilt under from a "Coiling of the Loins". This is how to achieve Ressamble in walk, not what this video shows with a big moving warmblood totally on the forehand, being Pulled to slow down and halt. Teaching both rider and horse through the Counted Walk is so simple that once learnt, the same techniques can be applied in trot and canter. This way the rider will be able to ride on "Released" Reins" and the horse then will be in True Self Carriage which is what Ressamble is.

[@ellepat238]

can we see the horse geee for the first 5 mins you see the horse once

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Andrew....Horses should NEVER EVER be ridden Long Low and Down behind the vertical!

[@Cam-wl1dr]

Keith Bartlam I ride my horses long and low all the time it's sooo good for them, they can stretch over the back, and helps them build up the correct muscles so they work over their back and can carry themselves correctly and it helps prevent spinal issues such as kissing spine and broken neck.

[@loredelore7286]

Long and low is very misunderstood. I think the German Scales of Training for me makes it clear that it is not a means in itself but rather something which is a result of a horse that has become supple and loose and with no tension = losgelasenheit. It is also part of the drying off phase of a training session. To put a horse long and low when it is not ready and stiff is unethical and probably more like rollkur. It takes a very good rider with a independent seat to ride a horse long and low. Horses will naturally show it at liberty. If a horse is not wanting to take the reins forward and down it is not ready to show long and low. To attempt to force it using hands bit and reins is false long and low. It takes longer with young horses and can take most of their training session before they are at losgelasenheit.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

The "Neck Reining" advise is good and Classically Correct. The inside leg to outside rein technique is Classically wrong and the BHS is yet again incorrect as it is on so many things! The Direct Rein is only any use on VERY green young horses at the backing stage. They should be taught the Neck Rein after about the 3rd ride, and then with a bit that has a side cheek piece. The Direct Rein should no longer be necessary. Neck reining has the benefit of keeping the horses body Strait and in alignment.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

Teach the "Lesson of the leg" with the whip for a lazy horse which is dead to the leg...much more effective and permanent training procedure.... ....and as Andrew says DON'T nag with the leg otherwise you will "detain" the leg go aid.

[@scotchb29]

I have started seeing this video and had to stop because of the nonsense. The rider halts, and cannot stop pulling on the reins all the time, keeping her hands as if she was pushing a supermarket trolley! And the guy says nothing and keep on talking about psychologies ! Wild Rodeo is the only thing these people can do.

[@Pferdecoach]

sorry but think you are not so experienced in a balanced seat

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

He's the world's most esteemed equine neuroscientist and a recipient of some of the world's most prestigious science awards. You know more than him, do you?

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

I DISAGREE with you on the One Rein Stop. I have a young 4 yr old stallion who likes to buck me off. The One Rein Stop has taught him its not a good idea, as have my older horses including one that reared. It is a "tool" to use when needed, and it will not cause crookedness problems as it is only used as an "emergency", and never in a gait faster than a slow trot for risk of causing the horse to fall over.

[@horsemanhorseman8913]

and anyway Lengthening does nothing to create collection. It should only ever be trained once the horse is able to remain Ressabled in all 3 gaits. and this GP pony clearly cant. All this video is showing is how to drive the horse onto its forehand by trotting faster and NOT bigger!