Hi all you guys, gals, and nonbinary pals!
Today we’re talking about the “training pyramid”, also called the “training scale”. (Sometimes it is pictured as a pyramid, sometimes as a scale. Pretty simple distinction). This topic is very specific to horseback riding (my passion), so if that’s not your thing, you might wanna skip this one. If you are curious anyway, however, please read on!
In case you needed a refresher, here is the Training Scale as depicted by the United States Pony Club (USPC) on page 69 of their Advanced manual of horsemanship.
Their definition, beginning on page 68 of the same publication, reads:
“The Training Scale has evolved as a means to illustrate the different steps that are essential elements in the correct training of a horse. It is important to understand that these elements are interrelated. One step is not supposed to be perfect before attempting the next, but instead, they should be used as a reference for understanding the general progression and development of the horse in his training.… If there are difficulties with more advanced steps… it is important to return to the earlier steps….”
As you have read, the Training Scale was developed to encapsulate the entirety of a horse’s training, from completely green (inexperienced, for non-horse-people) to a fully trained dressage horse. However, this method can also apply to other disciplines. The outer labels indicate the development of certain essential skills for any horse, whether it be a polocrosse champion, an elegant hunter-jumper, or a lightning-fast barrel-racer.
These core riding skills are just as essential for riders to master. How can you and your horse progress through these levels if you do not maintain both of your capabilities in each one? My theory is this: if you base each ride off of the training principles as ordered in the Scale, your training, learning, and conditioning will become more efficient.
Now I’ll paint a picture of how this might be done. I have found that most riders I know already structure their training rides around the Scale in one way or another, though unintentionally. You may recognize much of the suggestions as standard practice whenever one rides.
Still according to Pony Club standards and definitions, a good daily workout ride includes the following 4 parts:
Warm-up -- Suggested duration: at least 30 minutes total
Workout -- Suggested duration: 20-30 minutes
Warm down -- Suggested duration: 5-10 minutes
Cooling out -- Suggested duration: 10-15 minutes
For more details on daily workout rides and conditioning in general, reference the USPC C-Level manual of horsemanship, page 227.
If you looked at the details on page 226 of the same book, you will have observed that warm-ups are essential in increasing circulation, loosening the muscles in the body, and reaching a more calm and alert mental state. As the first step of your ride, the warm-up coincides perfectly with the first steps in the Training Scale.
The Rhythm level requires regulation, energy and tempo -- 3 aspects of the horse’s movement that, when optimal, are features of an evenly-paced, relaxed but alert horse that is attentive towards the rider. A horse lacking rhythm may be lame and limping, weak and unable to use their hind-end, distracted and rushing, reluctant and meandering, or just plain slow. It is evident why Rhythm is the first building block, as it defines every part of the horse’s performance in following levels.
*note: the following example is centered on english flatwork. Most suggestions can be adapted to more discipline-appropriate tasks for other styles*
The first 10-15 minutes of your warm-up should be spent walking on loose (relaxed) rein contact. That doesn’t mean letting your horse wander about the area or plod about like you’re going to his funeral; although not explicitly written, Pony Club includes this walking bit in their warm-up outline because it establishes rhythm in the gait. You should not begin asking your horse to stretch down, bend, collect, or any other possible maneuver during this stage because you must first establish a strong base of rhythm. The first training level, the first part of your ride. And remember -- if ever you feel yourself losing your grasp of a skill, return to that lower level for a while and work on reestablishing the basics.
Once you have walked for however long you have decided and feel comfortable in your rhythm, you should move to the trot (remember to go both directions!). You can carry your reins in whatever manner is most suitable for yourself and your horse at the given moment, but remember that you should still be focusing on your rhythm. It is advisable to return to the walk for a minute or two before performing the same routine at the canter: canter for a while, walk for a minute. Your rhythm should be maintained between and throughout all of these gaits.
Now you should begin large comfortable movements such as circles and changes of direction to engage the horse more, physically and mentally. Your rhythm will help carry you through each turn confidently.
By this point, you will have partially or completely achieved Relaxation and Suppleness -- the second level of the Scale. A happy horse should be moving in a relaxed, rhythmic manner, with a swinging back and muscles beginning to loosen and become supple. Some may chew on the bit gently and/or sigh and snort puffs of air from their nostrils, if they hadn’t already done so earlier. There should be understanding, confidence, trust, and most of all contentment present between horse and rider. Thus, the first two levels are developed. (Remember that every level should be maintained and improved constantly; each level needn’t be perfect before working on a higher one).
Simple stretching through the neck is the foundation of the third level. Depending on the experience of you and your horse, you may have also begun to gain some Connection and Contact. Ideally, as you maneuver throughout the ring, you are beginning to ask the horse to stretch down and forward into the reins in a long, loose contact. This is when you transition into the workout part of the ride.
Do you see how the Pony Club Training Scale can be used to help you structure each ride for optimal performance? Depending on you and your horse’s abilities, aspects from higher training Levels can be achieved earlier on in your ride, in no particular order. With a horse recovering from injury, you may only work on rhythm and relaxation for the entire duration of your ride. A more advanced horse might have wonderful impulsion by the end of their warm-up. This Training Scale is ideal because it is so adaptable -- its versatility extends beyond horse and rider to span disciplines and even styles. Regardless of how you ride, the essentials of the sport are covered by the Training Scale.
Hopefully now you could begin to apply the Training Scale to entire rides. Working on lengthening and shortening exercises (in any gait) aids impulsion. Drilling on your Shoulder-fore down the long sides stresses your straightness. Both of these exercises exemplify the pyramidal nature of the Training Scale. Sure, shoulder-fore requires straightness, but it also demands impulsion, contact, relaxation and rhythm.
Pony Club’s Training Scale is a simple and understandable model. But this versatile and intuitive arrangement of ideas is also one of the most useful tools you may encounter in your riding. All the building blocks are right there, at your fingertips.
Note: A checklist (possibly interactive) to guide you through the steps outlined in this post is currently being developed. Thanks for your patience!