Airs Above the Ground and Cavalletti 1

The Courbette

Airs above the ground are strategic moves that the Lipizzaner Stallions and other horses of battle were taught to avoid the enemy and to safeguard the rider.

Today, though I should have used the arena to my advantage...no one there at all...it is 1 of 2 days that lessons are not underway, yet, I was drawn to the outdoors, as the sun was spotted!!

This fantastic move, seen in the link above, is fancy and for the talented, disciplined horse to achieve. Yet somehow, I without any pre -training was given this move today, going up a trail homeward! WA in rare form, hopped on her hind legs , just like that Lipizzaner does. Though today it was with me on her, to my great shock and to hers....we turned around and went 10 minutes back to the trail head, away from home, for a do-over! And I gladly report that she was near- buckle-with -contact all the way home after that.

We were able to use my new Equestrian Accessory that I purchased after Christmas today too..an Australian Oilskin Duster! It was toasty warm and the layers snapped around my legs and parted easily for mounting and sitting in the saddle.

So, without more ado, I tell you the tale of the Cavalletti and why I adore it's use . For those who are just starting to introduce the Cavalletti's to their horse ;( I am going by the book here) "it is easier for the horse if he goes over the cavalletti without his rider. He is entirely free and natural since there is no weight to hinder his movements, no hand to pull him backwards and no spur to give him the wrong aid at the wrong moment." "- If you take time over the basic training and devote the greatest care to the easier exercises, you will later go further much more quickly."

Basically, I do believe all that Klimpke's teach in this little book called "Cavalletti". There is more to it than you may think...if the distances are incorrect you run the risk of some serious injury either because the horse trips and rolls the polls if they are not in stands..or as I read; "If, however cavalletti work is overdone, or if the placing of each single rail is not suited to the horse's natural rhythm and action, then there is the danger of serious injury.Muscles improve through exercise only when they are used appropriately to their position and their internal condition." it goes onto say how swelling and debility disturbances can occur in the muscles if done incorrectly.

So basically, my friends, knowing the correct distances and having another to help you see that your horse is not altering it's gate over the rails helps if you are not sure. I really don't want anyone to hurt their horse.

I took the advise of the author Reiner Klimpke and hand walked my mare over the 4- spaced for walking- ground polls that were in a row, for 10 minutes first, to supple her joints.

Then I lunged her over a set of four single polls- above-for another 10 minutes in both directions before I went to lunging over the trotting Cavallettis I would later ride over in two point-below-. I have done cavallettis before with my sister many times..she has schooled me about my balance and seat and hands.When I first started, we would do 2 singles polls places on a 20 meter circle like the diagram above but with only 2 polls across from each other. I would post the trot for 3 strides, then place my hands on her neck for balance and in two point allow my mare to look for the rail and go over it..again to a posting trot for about 3-4 strides while I looked ahead 5 meters always to the next section of track, then go to two point balance over the rail again. it was very good to do for me as I had to think ahead 5 to 10 meters always and never looking directly at the poll as we went over it but ahead 5-10 meters. My sister taught me that.."Where you look ahead to is where you want the horse to be or go." It correctly positions your upper body when you do this.

I will continue to tell you about this cavalletti stuff again in small doses...like I like it when I am doing it ! That is why I went to the trails today...school then off, school then off, will be my routine. Though; Washashe is totally accountable on the trails as well. Dressage carries over well,anywhere I find!