I want to touch on my earlier post about why standardized tests are important, but reaching our potential involves creative individualized work.. I am going to do this through examples both equestrian and non- equestrian. I hope one will reach you or bring to mind an example you might like to share.
In dressage we have many standardized tests at each level that we use to judge ourselves and our horses against others at the same levels. They are written by judges and trainer who hope to give us the best path they can to guide our training. Much like the way a curriculum for learning a language or math is set up( basic math, algebra 1.2, geometry, calculus). This structure is very helpful and important. While keeping this in mind, remember that each of our horses and ourselves are different. Some skills we acquire with ease others take years to develop.
The critical part of this for me is you must prepare for the standard tests, but you have to develop the creativity and pay individual attention to yourself and your horse or given circumstances to really bring out the best. In dressage the freestyle helps us to show off what we have learned and express our individuality.. It is also what fans enjoy watching most!
I would like it to be used to determine the champions at every level, so people can not only bring the best out of there horses and themselves, but it can become a habit. This would also make the sport more marketable to the media and its fans!
Another equine example would be the difference between free jumping for an inspection and free jumping for training. When preparing for an inspection you must get the horse ready to jump specific fences that will be set a specific distances and the horse will be handled in a predetermined fashion. Each group has different requirements in this, so you have to know them and adjust your work accordingly. This helps evaluate our breeding program and has been a fairly reliable indicator as to a horses potential. It is only one small piece of the puzzle albeit a good one.
When using it for training it is very different! Your horses confidence is still the number one priority, but you must determine what is best for your horse and you have an unlimited amount of possibilities. This can be very useful, but the horse must be willing. If you have a horse who lacks the willingness or talent to do the simplest of exercises I do NOT recommend it. Also if you have not free jumped before you should seek a qualified professional who has. You also must have the necessary space and equipment. Also remember lots of horses can jump a single big fence it does not mean they will be a top jumper, and just because they do it free does not make them ready to do it under saddle. I t can however, done correctly give horses great confidence. Free jumping is also very good for them physically and mentally. It gives you a chance to evaluate their technique (how they use their bodies), their instincts to adjust themselves when asked to shorten or lengthen or challenged by a different type of fence and improve them. This can be fantastic, but it can be a disastrous, so be conservative, and have plenty of help.
* A little advice- don't do it more than once a week. don't do it until a horse is 3, unless it is a stallion candidate who must prepare for a licensing. If the horse is going to be big wait until he is a year older for everything!
No matter what you are trained in, or what you learned on way through school. We all know once in the working world you have a need to constantly adjust and change to progress.You would be lost without the basic knowledge, but is the drive to keep learning and improving that keeps us alive!
I hope this has helped you in some small way.
***Please share examples of you own!!!
Sincerely , John
P.S. In my next equestrian post Wenseday I will share how one instructor taught me in very unique way how to approach jumping that has served me well. If you can learn it and have good vision imagine what you can do!
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