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Introduction: The Five Easy Pieces

Continued

by Suzanne Drnec as told by Les Vogt

My system will work for a novice rider or a green horse as well as for seasoned pros.  Why?  Because, by dividing the horse's body and physical mechanics into easily trainable zones, we can pinpoint the exact source of a frame or 'posture' problem, and concentrate on fixing that problem before it compromises our horse's performance.  A horse's body and brain form a complex system, but if we can guide that system by working with discrete zones of the horse in basic exercises, we'll build the foundation of learning, conditioning and obedience that is the basis for all advanced training and high performance.  Plus, it's cheap and easy:  you and your horse can learn my Five Easy Pieces in an area as small as a box stall, with simple equipment, at a walk, and see immediate results.

First, I'd like to identify what I call the 'zones' of your horse, as I'll refer to them by number throughout this discussion.  Think of zones as similar to parts of your car; because, like your car, each zone ofthe horse must work by itself before it meshes with the other zones to make the car, or horse, run smoothly. If any zone isn't working right, it'll compromise the entire system. We have to isolate and correct the problem, not try to fix everything at once.  If your car's motor won't start, you're probably going to be disappointed if you work on the transmission to fix that starter. My system of zones, with Easy Pieces to check out each zone, will help you become a top-notch horse mechanic.

ZONE ONE:
Zone one is your horse's head and neck, somewhat comparable to the steering and brakes of a car. If you can't steer or stop your car or your horse, you can't go where you want, so we'll always begin with zone one, and Easy Piece one. Control of zone one is important because where a horse's eyes go, his body goes.  If you can gently aim his head, I guarantee the rest of the horse will follow, and as a wise old cowboy once told me, "Les," he said, "it's best to ride a horse in the direction it's going."

ZONE TWO:
Zone two is your horse's front legs and shoulders- somewhat like the front wheels of your car.  They don't create power, but they receive power or momentum from the rear and convert it into direction. Shoulder control is critical to keeping your horse in an efficient frame, especially at speed.  Horses that drop their inside shoulder galloping lose traction and may fall, or at the very least will dump onto their forehand and pour energy into the ground, instead of into efficient, balanced, forward momentum. And don't forget that your horse is not a Honda- all horses are rear-wheel drive.

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