If there's something that impress and inspires me it's the Spanish Riding School! I simply think their ethics on riding and handling of horses is amazing. They spend much time on perfecting that the horse's muscle are built correctly and that they mentally can follow the training. Beyond that, it's always looks very harmonious and beautiful when they ride their horses.
The methods used by the Spanish Riding School are based on François Robichon de la Gueriniere. It is a common myth that the movements were developed to aid in battle; in fact, they were used to strengthen the war horse's body and mind and make him a supreme athlete, not to actually attack. All movements are based on those naturally performed by the horse when at liberty, with the exception of one-tempi changes.
The stallions are taught in three stages:
- Remontenschule: ("forward riding")
- Campagneschule: ("campaign school")
- Hohe Schule: ("high school" or Haute Ecole)
The most awesome thing is that the riders, too, are carefully schooled. They first work on the longe without stirrups and reins on well-trained horses for up to 3 years, to teach a balanced and independent seat. They are then allowed to control the animals themselves, under the eye of an experienced rider, until they can perform the high school movements. With intensive training, this will take 2–4 years. The rider is then allowed to train a young stallion from unbroken up to High School, a process that usually takes 4–6 additional years.
Many could learn from the Spanish Riding School. I think every beginner should get trained in a longe first. The horse avoids a lot of unnecessary pain. And according to me it's the only right way to train people to ride.
