Читать книгу Cowboy Dressage - Jessica Black - Страница 17

This harmonious flow of information is best explained with reference to Soft Feel, an approach to communication between horse and rider that is evocative of the soft feel taught by the great horsemen, Tom Dorrance and Ray Hunt. Cowboy Dressage Soft Feel has four steps: Preparation, Execution, Release, and Relaxation.

Preparation: This refers to the rider’s subtle use of aids and cues to signal to the horse a request, such as a change of gait or direction. This should be evident to the observer, if at all, only in small shifts of weight or changes of rein. An important aspect of this essential first part of Soft Feel is Fresh Rein. This means the slight adjustment of the reins with the rider’s hand(s) that informs the horse that a change is expected. If there is no change of position, there can be no subsequent release or reward.

Execution: This refers to the horse’s completion of the requested maneuver, for example, a transition into a lope, or a turn-on-the-haunches.

Release: The execution must be immediately followed by Release, the third step. The release of pressure, from the rider’s leg, seat, or rein, is the horse’s reward for having performed the desired behavior.

Relaxation: Finally, after the maneuver has been completed, the horse and rider must show the Relaxation that comes from complete understanding and harmony between partners.

The distinguishing feature of Soft Feel is its two-way nature: any rider can send a message to a horse, but the true Cowboy Dressage partnership can only happen when the rider feels the horse send a message back. We will come back to Soft Feel many times in this book, once the importance of each step has been explained with reference to the nature of the horse and his relationship with the rider.

Soft Feel is introduced here because of its essential contribution, not only to building the Cowboy Dressage horse at home, but also to its importance in the fast growing world of Cowboy Dressage competitions. Soft Feel is the guiding principle for competitors and judges. When a clinician or judge looks at an entry or participant, he or she assesses the communication between horse and rider, with specific reference to the aspects of Soft Feel mentioned here. If followed, these ensure that it is not just about completing the pattern; it is about completing it smoothly, willingly, and kindly.