Posts Tagged ‘Repetition’

First, let me define rhythm and tempo. I want to do this because lots of dressage riders use those terms interchangeably and they don’t mean the same thing.

Rhythm – Regularity of the rhythm refers to the even spacing between each step in a stride of walk, trot or canter. Regular rhythm is a priority for all work–whether or not you’re riding a pure dressage horse. Movements and exercises should never be done at the expense of rhythm. Rhythm should always stay the same. Tempo or speed, however, is a different matter.

Tempo — which is the rate of repetition of the rhythm — can be adjusted, depending on what your horse needs. Think of rhythm and tempo this way: A waltz is always done in 3/4 time. That is the rhythm of a waltz. But a waltz can be played faster or slower. In other words, the tempo can vary.

When should you ride at a tempo that’s different from the one your horse chooses? Let’s take an overly fresh horse as an example. You start your warm-up, and this horse is so excited that he picks up a trot that is much too quick. The longer you let him go at this clip, the more his tension builds. Left alone, he probably isn’t going to slow down. He’s like an overtired child who is so wound up that he can’t quiet his mind or his body. He needs you to help him calm down by asking him to trot at a much slower tempo than that of his normal working trot.

Slow the tempo by asking for a transition to the walk (or even the halt!), Then, just as he’s about to step into the walk, don’t finish the transition. Instead, allow him to jog forward very slowly. Think about riding “halfway to walk”, and then jog forward slowly. If he accelerates after a few strides, repeat the incomplete downward transition until he understands and is willing to stay in the slower trot.

Ride him in this lazy tempo — the opposite of what he wants to do — until he relaxes. Once you feel him relax, gradually allow the tempo to become more normal.

On the other hand, let’s say you have a horse that tends to get too slow and labored in his tempo. For example, his canter becomes 4-beat because the tempo is too slow. Quicken his tempo by doing a few strides of a lengthening. Feel how your seat moves faster during the lengthening. Then when you shorten the strides, keep the same quick tempo by moving your seat “as if” you’re still lengthening.

So whether or not you’re riding a dressage horse, always work in a regular rhythm and a tempo that allows your horse to be in good balance.

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Most horse trainers often say that it is critical to learn the language of the horse. If you realize how to talk with horses, you can readily calm them whenever they feel uncomfortable. In horse training, you should have the capacity to calm your horse when the need arises.

There are times when the horse gets frightened. It’s really amazing how the owner can calm the frightened horse. You could be questioning what made the horse calm – could it be the tone of the owner’s voice or could it be the words being used? The answer is both.

As a horse trainer and owner, you should have the trust in handling them properly. Your voice should have a soothing, gentle, and pleasant tone. Try to imagine calming your horse with an intimidating tone. Your horse will not relax and your voice will only frighten him even more.

The text you use to relax your horse may not mean anything to him but with regular training and use of such words, your words can be associated with quiet down, few things are going to happen to you, everything will be alright’.

The repetition and rhythm of how you say the text can mesmerize your horse. It can be in comparison to poetry or music. Here’s a very good example. When humans are troubled, worried, or distressed, hearing poetry or even music seem to calm their considerations. The words and music seem to grab and reach out to you. You right away find yourself taking note to what you’re hearing. Your options are diverted to the poetry or music and somehow you feel calm and relaxed.

When a horse is excited or frightened, it can be dangerous and now and then, life threatening. If you’re capable of calming your horse, you will love a safe and fun ride free of any severe accidents. A lot off the techniques used by some horse trainers are 300 Peck Pigeon’ and the head down’. The duration of the execution off the technique is in addition important. Another method to calm your horse is to bring the head of your horse toward the side. When the neck is stretched, the tension is relieved. Nevertheless, you should be cautious in executing this technique as it can trigger a bad effect; the horse will see you as a predator taking him down. So try to be extra cautious and do not use too much force.

As a horse trainer, you should not panic. You could be calm in order to calm your horse. Keep your posture non-threatening and avoid abrupt movements. Your face should have a grin or laugh perhaps. This shows your horse that you’re not irritated by his movements. Determine what caused your horse to panic. You can say your horse to reduce its head or you can wipe the neck and withers.

Always have hay nearby and try to give it to your horse; now and again giving your horse food calms him. If you can make your horse not move, face him and exhale through your mouth but don’t blow. Follow the breathing pattern of your horse. After a couple of minutes, your horse will calm down.

During horse training, you can make use of these various techniques just just in case your horse panics. The techniques are effective specially when executed correctly. Just be confident and think that you can handle the situation.

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Author: Dorian Hester
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RHYTHM AND TEMPO

Before you can pick the perfect freestyle music for your horse, you need to understand the difference between rhythm and tempo.

Many people use the words rhythm and tempo interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. This month, I’ll go over the meaning of each–both in musical terminology and in riding terminology. It doesn’t matter if you ride DRESSAGE, HUNTERS, or you are an EVENT RIDER. Every equestrian needs RHYTHM!!!

Rhythm – When riding, regularity of the rhythm refers to the even spacing between each step in a stride of walk, trot, or canter. In music, rhythm is made up of sounds and silences. These sounds and silences are put together to form patterns of sound which are repeated to create rhythm.

Look at the two descriptions of rhythm and put them together. Think of the sounds and silences of the musical terminology and the even spacing between each step of your horse’s gaits as the same thing. When the horse’s foot is down it is a sound. When your horse’s foot is up, it is silent. This is how we can relate the rhythm of music to the rhythm of your horse’s gaits.

Tempo -Tempo is the speed of the music or the speed of your horse. Depending on how fast you want to go, you can adjust the rate of repetition of the rhythm.

Tempo in music can be fast, slow, or in-between. Music sounds and feels different depending on how fast it’s played. The same piece of music will have a different effect or mood depending on whether it’s played fast or slow.

Hopefully, this description clarifies the difference between rhythm and tempo as it applies to music and to your horse.

Next month, we’ll talk about choosing the particular kind of music that will accentuate your horse’s strengths. Stay tuned for a whole lot of fun!

Ruth Hogan Poulsen

http://www.Ruthhoganpoulsen.com

Ruth@Ruthhoganpoulsen.com

Author: Ruth Hogan Poulsen
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