I know this is jumping ahead- alot- but sometimes we need to know where we are going in order to get there.
I’ve had this topic on my mind for a few days now because, as I try to complete my level 3 test under the Equine Canada Rider Levels, level four moves onto collection and finesse. Now, I understand collection and how it is used for the most part, but the Parelli level of collection and definition is completely different and I am not ready for that AT ALL! And that’s where I want to be!
The horsemanship definition of collection is “A collected horse is driven forward into the bridle by the rider’s legs which causes him to reach further forward with his haunches. This makes him arch his back which shortens his frame and his stride, making him “collected”. He is balanced, ready to work in any direction from the slight aid.”
The Parelli idea of collection is much more than “pulling and kicking” (as I’ve labeled it). Its mental, emotional, as well as physical collection of the horse and the rider! It’s having everything else in order, first and when the horse is collected mentally, emotionally, that causes the physical collection to just happen.
To summarize Pat Parelli’s theory- as I understand it- you have to get the message through the brain, through the body and down to the feet. This happens through respect, impulsion and flexion. Respect is the mental collection, impulsion is the emotional collection, and flexion is the physical collection. These three pieces are topics with in themselves, but to give a brief summery of each
Respect is the first thing you need to establish and a necessity of the horse-human relationship on both sides! The human has to be the alpha. You have to be the horses’ leader and they have to respect that, but you also need the horse to like you and want to be with you by showing them respect as well. Once you’ve established this relationship you can start with gaining the horses respect on the ground, and then in the saddle. You establish this respect through the six yields: forward, backward, left, right, up, and down.
Impulsion is the emotional collection of the horse. “Impulsion is controlled forward energy that comes from behind (the horse’s hindquarters). It stems from mental collection or respect which, in turn, harnesses the emotional collection of the horse.” quoted from the book Natural Horse-Man-Ship by Pat Parelli. Impulsion is the act of getting ‘whoa’ to equal ‘go’, and ‘go’ to equal ‘whoa’. If these do not equal then your horse will either be impulsive, or non-responsive. These can be balanced through gaining the horses respect, establishing the leadership and having the horse understand the yields you are asking of him.
Flexion is the act of physical flexibility. There are two forms of flexion: lateral and vertical. Lateral flexion is the form of disengaging the horse by turning the face and neck to each side. This is for control of the horse. Vertical flexion is collection in the physical sense, and is for communication with the horse. To get complete physical collection you must first have established the mental and emotional collection with the horse getting their respect and impulsion giving you the ultimate communication.
BUT to do this you as a rider must first be “collected” mentally, emotionally, and physically. Mentally you must understand what it is that the horse needs you to know. You must understand horsemanship and have the knowledge it takes to succeed. Emotionally you must be the leader your horse needs. You must be able to earn the respect and trust of the horse and in return be able to trust and respect to the horse as well. Physically you must learn to become a good rider and have an independent seat. You need to be able to ride the horse fluidly and with finesse to be able to allow the horse to properly do the maneuvers you ask of it.
This is the part I am still LEARNING! And where my journey of self-improvement begins! I need to find my mental, emotional and physical collection, so I can begin my collection of my horses mental, emotional and physical fitness!