A horse may have all of the raw talent in the world, but without proper training, it will not succeed.

 The training scale or pyramid was invented to systematically guage the training level of a horse. When followed, the scale lets us know where  our horse is and where it needs to be in its training.

The scale has six main parts consisting of 1. Rhythm, 2.suppleness, 3.Contact, 4. Impulsion,5. Straightness, 6. Collection.

 The parts seem to meld into each other as the horse masters each stage of developement. proper rhythm leads to suppleness. suppleness leads to contact. etc. Collection, which is at the pinnacle of the scale,happens because the horse becomes straight. It is not forced, but comes naturally, due to the training before it.

If we do not follow the scale, the horse becomes stuck and will hit a plateau that it seems it cannot get by. when this happens , we as trainers need to go backwards to then go forwards again.

 In the following weeks , we will break down the pyramid into its parts and see how  it helps us with our training.  Happy Gaiting