What is True Connection or a Good Relationship with a Horse?
Signs of real connection between horse and rider are subtle.
- Does your horse come willingly when called?
- Do you feel safe handling and riding your horse?
- Does your horse feel safe with you?
- Does riding make sense to your horse?
- Are your horse’s mind, heart and spirit engaged?
- Most of all, can you ride your Horse anywhere you want to go?
Real connection with a horse is not the showy tricks used by self-proclaimed “horse whisperers” to “wow” audiences and create an “image” that masks as true connection. True connection is based in real trust, not submission or learned helplessness. Real trust comes from a logical, progressive, proven system of training that never overwhelms, scares, confuses, rushes or hurts your horse.
The horse that has real trust and connection is calm and quiet in unusual situations, yet he is engaged, interested and eager to cooperate because he has been TRAINED—rather than desensitized into submission or learned helplessness.
Because Sacred Connections Horsemanship uses a proven, comprehensive step-by- step, logical, ethical system of training, horses become eager, willing partners with their minds, hearts and spirits fully intact and engaged.
Following this system can help riders avoid the pitfalls of rushed, competition-focused training that is damaging so many horses today.
Phases of Non-Interfering Training
Phase 1
Phase 1
Phase 1
Non-Interfering – Ideal foundational training for every horse. Ideal for rehabilitating a horse damaged by today's rushed training practices.
This phase allows horses the freedom of non-interference to build healthy muscle, balance and natural movement while carrying their riders. This phase develops quality self-carriage, lateral and longitudinal agility, rhythm, relaxation and straightness.
Riders and horses develop a bond of trust, communication and willing cooperation based on non-interference, voice communication, and reward horses can understand.
Horses completing Phase I training are ready to walk, trot, canter and jump 2 feet both inside and outside the ring. They are ready to enjoy trail riding, low jumping, second flight foxhunting and low level competition.
Phase 2
Phase 1
Phase 1
Cooperative – For the rider who wants more communication, connection
and performance.
This phase develops increased quality of the horse’s movement balance, connection, impulsion and performance. As the level of performance and precision increases, communication becomes more subtle, and horse and rider become an even more cohesive unit.
Rider and horse develop a mutually cooperative bond through communication based on give and take, soft contact and improved balance and agility.
Upon completing this phase, the horse is ready for more challenging trail rides, first flight foxhunting, endurance riding, intermediate level jumping, historical cavalry reenacting, mid-level competition, and much more.
Phase 3
Phase 1
Phase 3
Influencing – For the rider who wants it all.
Phase III focuses on a high level of performance of the horse through movement, balance, agility and communication. The horse develops the quality of muscle, balance, agility and movement for working on the bit, semi-collection, flexions and a higher level of engagement through the back and hindquarters. The horse’s performance is of a high quality both inside and outside the ring, riding at speed, and in jumping.
Rider and horse share an even deeper, more focused bond. Horses completing this level have achieved a healthy foundation from which they can specialize in Grand-Prix level dressage, show jumping, and other high-level specialties.