Solene - february 20, 2015

Reining back is a difficult exercise. First, the English term is somewhat misleading, since it seems to imply hands moving back, which is not the solution. The French 'reculer' is more neutral and hence more appropriate. Many authors have written on this gait, with considerable divergences in views. Some will advise using hands and no legs, others the contrary, others combinations of alternate use of legs and hands, each side in succession etc..Even within the Baucherist chapel, opposite views can be found between masters. The issue becomes so confused at times that some authors go as far as banning 'reculer' by fear of 'acculement' (putting the horse behind the hand forever)
With most horses, many riders manage a way to get reculer by 'trial and error' approach, fiddling with hands and heels, with no guarantee of correctness however. Correctness here means diagonalization, legerete, head carriage at 'ramener', no resistance, straightness and symmetry - all this leading to a fluid, supple motion with the horse's back not hollow and with regular strides which can revert immediately into a decided forward movement when requested.
With Solene, reculer requires careful training. Maybe it is due to his right shoulder stiffness. At first, it was difficult for me to ask it from halt; he was raising his neck, opening his head/neck angle and getting his back hollow. The result was stiff and poor.
So I worked this issue starting from walk, shortening and slowing down the walk to the minimum achievable while maintaining impulsion with vigilant legs, then without stopping, increasing the contact on the right rein ('demi tension') and at the same time pushing my right leg slightly backwards with a soft stroke, and a light touch of the stick behind the boot. Once the first backward diagonal movement was obtained, I loosened reins, sent him forward again and patted his neck with much compliments. After several days of this, we added a  repeat of the right aids action, but even more lighter. I thus obtained two then three strides, controlling the left hindquarter side with the left leg at contact and if necessary the left rein lightly controlling the external shoulder.
This method inspired from Fillis works quite well with Solene. He is improving by the day, and we can see the point where we attempt getting the reculer from halt at standstill.
It is not the first time that I find Fillis' advice pertinent. I have to confess though that for many years  I did not have much time for him because I was somewhat put off by his weird position shown on many pictures of him riding his favorites Germinal and Markir, and some seemingly harsh aspects of his horsemanship. I wrongly considered him as a curiosity rather than a Master. On the positive side, I was impressed though by his boldness and 'perçant', and by his love of Thoroughbreds which I share. I should also have given more thought on his influence on the Russian Dressage school.
His book 'Principes de Dressage et d'Equitation' is in all cases quite pleasant to read. It is well written (thanks to the help of his friend Clemenceau) and full of practical, pragmatic experience displayed openly and honestly. And this little post proves that it can be most useful in practice! It is clearly worth having in one's library.