2008-04-06

Musical (Ride) Notes

short simple sounds are best, when you want the horse to perform a particular movement

stick to max of three sylables
always give the commands in the same way and realize they recognize the actual sound, the tone and inflection.

reward training consistently using phrase
praise and punishment within one second of the horses action

experiments carried out with mares at the irish national stud some years ago showed that horses like music but are selective in their taste. some dressage is performed to music and the horses really seem to enjoy it. like circus horses, they often come to associate the music with certain movements. it makes sense to me that they would prefer instrumental to vocal.maybe mozart?

music you choose is obviously based on your taste, be it jazz, classical, new age, pop, folk or global rhythms

but factors relating to your horse such as temperament, presence and scope of movement must be considered.

avoid music that will distract or alienate judges.

think choregraphy (designed equally on each rein. start with movements horse is capable of executing confidently).

rehearse in mirrored arena.six minutes

(at least six seconds less than allowable max for variances in tape speed)
*
*
theatrical elements