Articles
Achieving Ultimate Lightness
by Jane G. Gaston
this article appeared in the Atlanta Polo Magazine, 1997
The Powder Forest Farm in McDonough, Georgia was established about two years ago by Sandi Forester, a New England horsewoman with over 25 years of experience. The facility offers dressage, western, basic training for all disciplines, evaluations as well as clinics and seminars. The Atlanta area was recommended by a former client who had relocated to McDonough earlier. Forester learned there was a distinct lack of dressage trainers south of Atlanta and this knowledge, coupled with a strong desire to get away from the bitter New England winters, finalized her decision. "This is my life. It's what I do and want to continue doing...I just want to be more comfortable while doing it." said Forester.
The Farm is on the small side--she takes only six horses in training at a time--and has very much a naturalistic atmosphere with wooded areas left intact and a huge amount of pasture for grazing. Forester firmly believes that horses deserve our respect and she puts a tremendous amount of effort into giving the horses as comfortable a home as possible, although she feels that horses should work for us in exchange for good keep and care, since we all have to work in life.
Forester's style and training technique is a combination of gradual and progressive physical development of the horse, using dressage principles: ultimate lightness, which is so sought after in western riding and psychological communications with the horse, using the animal's natural instincts.
"Dressage and the style of riding that I do in general applies to all disciplines. You can use the basics of classical dressage whether you're a western rider, a saddle seat rider...it should all be the same," said Forester. According to this dedicated horsewoman, the basic foundation of training any style horse is the most important to accomplish... "because if they have a good foundation, then there's nothing that we can't ask of our horse." She feels that in today's horse world, too many times, the foundation falls short. "People who take shortcuts in training or don't take the time to develop a horse properly from the ground up, will often later on develop problems with their horse," said Forester.
Forester believes there are no really mean horses and that when someone has a problem with their horse, it's most often because the owners created the problem themselves. The owners, according to Forester, simply need to learn to communicate better with their horses.
The horse should be a balanced athlete says Forester. They need to learn to carry themselves naturally, just like they do when they are alone, prancing around in the pasture, necks arched, heads high. "This is the way the horse should be. All very light, very balanced, and very natural--except they are carrying a rider on their back," said Forester. Forester says her goal is to work with anyone who wants to learn riding or dressage. Generally, she doesn't take children under the age of 12, otherwise, there are no restrictions for someone who is willing to take the time and effort to learn correctly. Being show oriented is definitely not a requirement to be one of Forester's students. Her main philosophy is to educate people about horses, help them to understand the horse and ultimately, bring the horse and rider together as a team. Obviously, the rider must be in control and call the shots. But in control doesn't mean abusive dominance or discipline. "I am strongly against abusive aids and equipment to create a style of riding. I think we should all be as kind in our training as we possibly can," said Forester. Positive reinforcement versus negative reinforcement is the name of the game at the Powder Forest Farm.
"My desire as a trainer and instructor is to bring horse and rider to a place of true harmony through careful development of the basics and an understanding of the horse both physically and psychologically," said Forester. "I have the utmost respect and appreciation for horses and I consider it a privilege to be able to spend my life educating others about these noble creatures." Having owned and operated a 30 stall breeding, training, and showing facility in Connecticut, Forester has extensive knowledge of efficient and safe stable management, comprehensive and practical veterinary science, and excellent communication abilities in training. She has an uncanny sensitivity and understanding of the mind, body, and soul of the horse. And yes, she sometimes whispers to her horses.
Through her own former trainers, Janet Black, Melanie Tenney, Pam Goodrich and Beth Baumert, and their strong influence in helping her to develop the basics, and her former partner, Mike Marquez, who was such a strong advocate of the ultimate lightness of the Vaquero style of riding, Forester learned the delicate communication which is so much a part of her style. She has received tremendous peer recognition and many awards for her regional and national competitive accomplishments. For more information call (770) 957-5180.
Cavesons
by Sandi Forester
Cavesons created for the purpose of closing a horse's mouth became popular in the 1970s. They seemed effective, so like most, I followed without question. A few years later, equine dentist Ron Ross was visiting my barn in Connecticut. Ron was always willing to help educate his clients on the finer points of the equine mouth. He explained that in order for the lower salivary glands to operate effectively, a horse must "work" his lower jaw. The bit alone makes it impossible for the mouth to properly execute this function. Strappings on the caveson amplify the restriction. Additionally, if one adjusts the noseband straps a bit low and snug (as many are), the free expansion of the nostrils necessary for natural breathing is also restricted. Finally, cavesons adjusted too low apply constant pressure to the bridge of the nose. These points have one common denominator, pressure that will cause pain.
Most of what we do while riding or training horses cannot be considered "natural." Putting saddles, bridles, bits, and other tack on a horse is undeniably "human." To bridge the gap between a horse's natural action and our own unnatural interventions, we can study equine behavior, instincts, and habits. This helps us to communicate more effectively with our horses. We can learn to think like a horse and not humanize every situation. We know that horses naturally need a leader. In following, they are quite generous, and with time, kindness and careful handling, they will follow direction given by their human leader.
In training horses, we should aspire to a quiet, steady contact with the bit. Forcing a mouth shut through the use of flash, dropped, crank, or figure eight cavesons is no substitute for correct training. There may be some situations where, during the retraining of a severely damaged horse, a skilled professional would use cavesons of this nature as a temporary aid to proper training.
Concern for our horse's comfort and well-being is a priority for most of us. We would never intentionally cause discomfort to our equine friends. If we understand why horses chomp or gape their mouths, we can begin to rectify the behavior using a more tractable approach.
There can be many causes for a horse's open mouth. A young horse just being started will take time to accept cold, cumbersome metal in its mouth. A horse may need dental work. The bit may be the wrong size, diameter, or type to fit a particular mouth conformation. Some breeds, for example, have lower pallets than others. The ever-popular free ring snaffle can easily pinch tender lips if not properly fitted. Riders' hands are another possible culprit. Unsteady or aggressive hands can easily cause a horse to avoid contact through gaping. Less obvious, ill-fitting saddles, back soreness, feet or leg discomfort can also show up in busy mouths. Understanding that gaping is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself, is critical. One can only begin to rectify a problem after its origin is properly identified.
Horses have an entire language derived from the application of pressure. It is through body language that they demonstrate their intentions. The important factor in herd communication is that pressure begins mildly. It is then accelerated only to accomplish the point if the milder pressure has failed. Once the point is made, pressure is released. Horses understand instinctively to move away from pressure. What they will not understand is constant pressure without relief. If the pressure is there regardless of the response, there is no reprieve. A horse can be made to accept this pressure if given no choice, however, the harmony between the horse and rider is diminished or lost. If you can make your horse more comfortable and therefore more content, I can't help but think we will all win! Your horse's care and well-being are ultimately your responsibility.
We tend to follow our mentors without question. Yet questioning is a positive approach which enables us to make the correct choices for our horses. When in doubt, listen to your horse. It's always the best teacher.
