Ground work

Before starting and as Michel likes to remind quite often, the rider needs to be aware of his goal and to set in advance the track and speed he wants to work that day.

 
Michel starts by explaining a few basic rules allowing to set-up the connexion, using our eyes and energy to influence the horse’s attitude.

Michel explains also how to control Nenuphar Jac with some small exercises. These exercises enable the lunger to test the horse’s ability in maintaining the given speed and track. A simple ground pole set-up is already an excellent preparation to jumping courses. The horse must balance himself without the influence of the rider. Also, by analysing our own reactions and the ones of the horse on these exercises, the rider will be able to find solutions to the difficulties encountered while on course.

After a good warm-up, the lunger can be more demanding and can request from his horse some movements that will make him aware of his hind-legs in order to improve his pushing strength. These difficult movements must be practiced only during short periods of time in order to not overload  the horse’s mind and body power. Michel reminds us, one more time that a work session must always ends in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.

Before starting and as Michel likes to remind quite often, the rider needs to be aware of his goal and to set in advance the track and speed he wants to work that day.

 
Michel starts by explaining a few basic rules allowing to set-up the connexion, using our eyes and energy to influence the horse’s attitude.

Michel explains also how to control Nenuphar Jac with some small exercises. These exercises enable the lunger to test the horse’s ability in maintaining the given speed and track. A simple ground pole set-up is already an excellent preparation to jumping courses. The horse must balance himself without the influence of the rider. Also, by analysing our own reactions and the ones of the horse on these exercises, the rider will be able to find solutions to the difficulties encountered while on course.

After a good warm-up, the lunger can be more demanding and can request from his horse some movements that will make him aware of his hind-legs in order to improve his pushing strength. These difficult movements must be practiced only during short periods of time in order to not overload  the horse’s mind and body power. Michel reminds us, one more time that a work session must always ends in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.

Before starting and as Michel likes to remind quite often, the rider needs to be aware of his goal and to set in advance the track and speed he wants to work that day.

 
Michel starts by explaining a few basic rules allowing to set-up the connexion, using our eyes and energy to influence the horse’s attitude.

Michel explains also how to control Nenuphar Jac with some small exercises. These exercises enable the lunger to test the horse’s ability in maintaining the given speed and track. A simple ground pole set-up is already an excellent preparation to jumping courses. The horse must balance himself without the influence of the rider. Also, by analysing our own reactions and the ones of the horse on these exercises, the rider will be able to find solutions to the difficulties encountered while on course.

After a good warm-up, the lunger can be more demanding and can request from his horse some movements that will make him aware of his hind-legs in order to improve his pushing strength. These difficult movements must be practiced only during short periods of time in order to not overload  the horse’s mind and body power. Michel reminds us, one more time that a work session must always ends in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.

Before starting and as Michel likes to remind quite often, the rider needs to be aware of his goal and to set in advance the track and speed he wants to work that day.

 
Michel starts by explaining a few basic rules allowing to set-up the connexion, using our eyes and energy to influence the horse’s attitude.

Michel explains also how to control Nenuphar Jac with some small exercises. These exercises enable the lunger to test the horse’s ability in maintaining the given speed and track. A simple ground pole set-up is already an excellent preparation to jumping courses. The horse must balance himself without the influence of the rider. Also, by analysing our own reactions and the ones of the horse on these exercises, the rider will be able to find solutions to the difficulties encountered while on course.

After a good warm-up, the lunger can be more demanding and can request from his horse some movements that will make him aware of his hind-legs in order to improve his pushing strength. These difficult movements must be practiced only during short periods of time in order to not overload  the horse’s mind and body power. Michel reminds us, one more time that a work session must always ends in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.

The session starts with a warm-up on the flat where Michel lets Catapulte move as free as possible. Then, the work session consists of going over several lines of fences that Michel will adjust according to the mare’s reactions.

To start with, Catapulte has a tendency to rush to the rails. As the session progresses, we can notice that Catapulte wonders about it and tries different solutions to feel comfortable jumping these fences. Michel lets her express herself as free as possible. At the end of the session, we can notice that Catapulte made good progress in terms of the quality of her jumps as she manages better her balance and her approaches.

Before starting and as Michel likes to remind quite often, the rider needs to be aware of his goal and to set in advance the track and speed he wants to work that day.

 
Michel starts by explaining a few basic rules allowing to set-up the connexion, using our eyes and energy to influence the horse’s attitude.

Michel explains also how to control Nenuphar Jac with some small exercises. These exercises enable the lunger to test the horse’s ability in maintaining the given speed and track. A simple ground pole set-up is already an excellent preparation to jumping courses. The horse must balance himself without the influence of the rider. Also, by analysing our own reactions and the ones of the horse on these exercises, the rider will be able to find solutions to the difficulties encountered while on course.

After a good warm-up, the lunger can be more demanding and can request from his horse some movements that will make him aware of his hind-legs in order to improve his pushing strength. These difficult movements must be practiced only during short periods of time in order to not overload  the horse’s mind and body power. Michel reminds us, one more time that a work session must always ends in a joyous and relaxed atmosphere.