Flat Work
It is called “flat work,” “flatting,”
and “dressage.” What is means is simply working your
horse on a level surface, as opposed to working over fences.
It is composed of transitions and bending, plus practicing qualities
such as rhythm, pace, forwardness, and the like.
It also means that if you take the time to do it properly,
and carefully build one layer upon the next in your horse’s
education, then your performance as a team will improve tremendously.
It is always very interesting to watch riders who are unaware
of this principal. Some expect schooling their horses over
fences, sometimes for ridiculously long periods or at huge
heights, will improve the horse’s ability. In reality,
that approach generally produces a tired animal who flings
himself around, rather than the sound, strong athlete who
uses his body like a ballet artist.
Western horses, if trained correctly, work on their haunches
without a false headset. They become light in the front and
very responsive to changes in your own balance. When riding
one, you will notice that a well-broke western horse is extraordinarily
similar to riding an advanced dressage horse.
It doesn’t matter what type of riding you do or what
type of tack you prefer to ride. This is still a horse, and
all the basic principals apply. A horse who is pliable and
light will always perform better than a horse who has been
hustled. The quality and amount of flatwork training hours
you put in now will later result in a horse who looks forward
to responding, is capable of doing a good job, and springs
to life when asked!
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