Our In-Hand work leads directly on from our "Mouthing Process”. Once your horse is very confident with all the initial exercises, both from the front and from the side (left and right) we can add in the locomotion.

That is, walking while working on the contact, balance, bend and neck extension.
Initially it will just be working on stop, go, turn left and turn right, you can begin circles, counter bend turns, rein-back and transitions including walk / halt / walk, walk / trot / walk and halt / trot / halt.
With work, you can begin all the sideways movements such as shoulder in, traver, renver, half pass and walk pirouettes. This ultimately leads to the development of the piaffe and passage exercises.

Step 4 of our training program, **In-Hand Training**, provides a valuable opportunity to refine the horse’s posture, balance, and suppleness through groundwork that directly complements under-saddle work.

This method involves working with the horse from the ground, often with a bridle or cavesson, to encourage the horse to move with proper alignment and engage its body in a balanced, harmonious manner.

In-hand training helps develop the horse’s responsiveness to subtle cues, improving its overall flexibility and coordination.

It is particularly effective in addressing issues such as stiffness or unevenness in gait, as it allows the handler to work on specific areas of the horse’s body, such as its neck, shoulders, and hindquarters, to promote better movement and suppleness.

This step also provides an excellent opportunity to work on the horse’s collection and self-carriage, which are essential components for successful dressage. Additionally, in-hand training builds the relationship between horse and handler, fostering trust, respect, and clear communication.

It’s an ideal method for reinforcing key concepts from previous steps, such as the mouthing process, while laying the groundwork for more advanced training under saddle.

In-hand work is a crucial element in developing a well-rounded, balanced, and responsive horse, ready for the challenges of riding with lightness and precision.