I have often been asked over the years if I train or coach any given discipline. I'll start out by saying I have exhibited in most disciplines, either as an outing for a horse or to promote a horse or breed.
I hope I can speak clearly enough for folks to get where I'm coming from as I train and coach. To do anything more than be a passenger for a horse, I seek to have these things firmly in place:
1. A fairly balanced, strong enough, and emotionally neutral rider. No rider is perfect, and we can always improve. Trauma, anger, pride, fear, or frustration from the rider to the point where it will impede communication is not fair to either one. I have zero problem if someone is working on tough emotions. Totally been there. I'm here to work on them with you. But to work with horses, allowing these emotions to affect the horses....nope. They deserve better.
2. A horse that has been appropriately prepared to be in various surroundings without extensive anxiety and fear. Yes, early days of getting out can be intense, but those are the times and places to have an encyclopedia of groundwork, patience, and understanding of how to alleviate strong emotions in horses. It's a taught process and can take quite a bit of time depending on the personality and experiences of the horse.
3. Clear, consistent, and cooperative communication. This is the refinement of the aids and a horse who understands. There is an entire library of understandings that can be quietly created between horse and rider for any request in any place at any time for any reason.
4. Balance (lateral and at least some longitudinal) in the horse. Without either, the entire effort is tantamount to falling...with style. This is basic biomechanics and healthy movement.
5. Clear ability of the pair to address the mouth, neck, shoulders, and haunches independently of one another. It is not nearly as hard as you might think.
6. A rider who listens and is willing to make changes for what is better FOR THE HORSE. If participating in a sport is not good for a horse, I'm not there. If a discipline that COULD be good for the horse is judged in such a way that damaging practices are rewarded, I will participate in a way that is beneficial for the horse.
ALL disciplines, sports, and activities take these elements. All there is to add to this is the specific application.
That's why I'm not a specialist in any sport. The sport is the proof, not the process.
