Teaching horses
‚Training‘ a horse is possible only on a basis of mutual trust.
The first step then is to develop and strengthen trust and to work in such a way with the horse that the trust can continuously deepen. I try very hard to understand the horse – how does the horse tick, what is her attitude towards people and life in general, what are basic structures of her character, what are learned ways of responding based on previous experiences?
When we do take a horse and want to ride it there is development necessary so that the horse can become competent, strong and durable with the rider on her back.
It is up to me to formulate the tasks I set up for this horse in such a way that she can do them happily and successful. If a horse cannot comply I search for the reason. Is a part of the basic education missing or does something need to be more clarified? Is the horse able mentally and physically to do what I think she ought to do, or do I need to change my idea? What are the possibilities today? How can I help her more effectively?
This way of thinking about the training, together with mindfulness, mutual respect and consistency in my handling them allows the horses to more often than not find a ‘yes’ to my requests and so it is possible for them to almost always end the day’s work together with feeling good in their bodies and receiving lots of praise.
Learning is only possible – and this is true for four-legged as well as two-legged beings! – on a firmly established basis of relaxation. Undue stress and pressure create an environment in which learning cannot take place.
(Research on brain chemistry and its influence on learning supports those ideas we have held by gut feeling for a long time).
In such a learning environment the horse can find a solid physical and emotional balance to develop abilities as a riding horse – no matter what the focus of its riding career is going to be.
Classical teachings offer different techniques for the further dressage education of the horse: lunging, double lunging, work in hand or – based on that – work on the long rein.
In addition there are other ways of spending fruitful time together – be it in liberty work or shared adventures on the trails.
Nuno Oliveira once said: ‘Ride your horse to happiness!’ To me this is a really good guideline.
Teaching riders
This joyful atmosphere that is so important for the horses is just of equal importance for the riders’ quest to be a good partner for their horse and to develop a cultivated cooperation with their mount.
I do meet my students at the place where they are at – be it beginners or people with more experience. My goal is to point out effective ways for them to continually optimize their riding. And it is my pleasure to accompany them on this often rather individual path.
For the riders that means to develop over time a supple seat and from there riders’ aids that truly communicate with the horse.
My lessons are geared towards providing a good toolbox to my students. Students then can use their time with their horses in a fruitful manner and work on continuous improvements when they are on their own in between lessons. They will figure out their own questions and will be able to develop own approaches to solving problems that are bound to come up when bringing a horse up the levels. To make students self-sufficient is my goal as a teacher! Mistakes, detours and even dead-end roads are in this kind of learning environment opportunities to gain deeper insights and to then improve further. Out of that a riding culture can develop that is process-oriented, and allows (and requires) to learn to be truly in the moment.
This then is the basis for riding in harmony, joy and lightness.
English 
Deutsch