Is the "forward-riding system" old-fashioned? Or timeless?
“What does it really mean to ride ‘forward’? Is it a lost art? mere theory? or is it a requirement of legitimate horse training?”
For trained riders, “technical forward” isn’t mere motion; FORWARD requires the horse's own desire to carry and advance the load, in all circumstances and under all conditions. This means he's reliable.
When we talk about the “desire to carry,” it's the horse's own decision to govern his own momentum, and to place his powers exactly where he and his rider need them. Forward movement isn’t speed—it’s load governing. This is why even moments like halt or rein-back must be “forward”: anchored by continual, engaged forces -- but that are never suppressed -- not even in a stand-still. (See GYMNASIUM by Gustav Steinbrecht p. 71.)
This comes down to center-of-gravity, or what I call “mass plumb”. We learned it in Pony Club when children: that required straight-line through ear, shoulder, hip, and heel. As a rider, I know where I am in space and how to use my own mass deliberately for the most simple and most advanced exercises and maneuvers.
This legit riding was confirmed in me by an old cavalry chief who knew it simply as “forward riding”—the true, tested way for centuries.
It feels like riding to the front of my blouse.
When I ride to the front of my blouse, my well-trained horse stays right up under me, with full commitment and zero hesitation There is zero question between us. Our going is his mission. He wants to be there—quick and sure. He never lets me “arrive” at the front of my blouse.
He's in front of that.
Then we're really going somewhere.
There are two ways to ride: the right way and the wrong way. Which way do you want to ride ?
This brief blog post is based on the transcript of this 1 minute video:
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