Klaus Balkenhol

by Jackie

  

A visit to an evening clinic with Klaus Balkenhol. He is a modern master, trainer to the German Olympic dressage team and, as I found out, very classical in his approach. On the back of the rider/horse listing given to you as you entered was his 'message' which reads as follows:

"My philosophy in riding is without pressure or force, to further the natural talent of the horse and to ensure that the needs of the horse are listened to and remain paramount. Only in this way will the physical and mental harmony between horse and rider be achieved.

The horse is always a horse. The art of horsemanship lies solely with the rider."

The corrections he made really seemed to fall into two camps - riders who were not brave enough to ask for as much as they needed to improve the horse, and those who had not kept the contact light enough, or were restricting the horse without realizing. Most were dressage riders, advanced and GP, but there were also a couple of event riders, one with an ex-team horse (Cosmopolitan) who was just coming back into work after colic surgery and lameness kept him off for 18 months. He said he very much enjoyed working with event riders, who had such a good feel for their horses .

Two dressage riders, one loosening off after work, one warming up, were walking round the ring on a long rein, absorbed in chat. He joked to the audience that they were the perfect example of how to ruin a horse's walk - they didn't even hear him! 'If you are not doing something in walk, let the rein loose!'

Cosmo was not really tracking up or taking the bit forward, and so Klaus got on and worked him. He rode nearly all the horses, which was good to see and the impression I take away most strongly is one of rhythm. He was very quiet, still inside, and established a far more even rhythm than the riders - disturbing them as little as possible. The soporific nature of that rhythm did not make the horse tune out, but rather tune in, as they relaxed deeply, and became more receptive. Each became more mobile over the back, and more through. With some he flexed them laterally slightly, just 'easily' to loosen the back - always in rising trot, to make it easier for them "Always asking him again and again to let loose by giving the rein" (not giving it away, just softening definitely enough - baby gives from the rider if you like). "Always play with the mouth, even when the horse wants to go." William had not been 'releasing' soon enough. "As soon as the rider 'gets hold' of the mouth he will kill the HQ - collect, then let loose, let go - the horse will not run away unless you tell him too!"

With one spectacular young 5 yo he worked his same magic. The rider was doing too much to try to hold his attention - too many changes of direction and speed were not helping him settle. Again Klaus poured rhythm into the horse, disturbed him far less "Rhythm is paramount - and I must convince him from my calm that he can trust me to do him no harm"..."l have shown him I can get him to respond to rein/stop, leg/go"...."l want to make it comfortable for him to lengthen his neck down" (horse was tensing and looking about too much at first with rider)

"but he is not yet straight enough to go into an even contact" At the indiscernable drift to the gate he said he would get him a little more between hand and leg, but give the rein whenever he can. "This is a very intelligent horse - do nothing, ever, to disturb his psyche" (love the translation!)

He transformed in front of our eyes from an over-active hind leg mover to a back mover..."l use only a little leg - not to create enough to have to hold with the hand. Always let a forward horse forward, influence him later with the rhythm. Only when the balance of hand and leg is right will the rhythm be established and the back come through."

"I must do only what t know - I am confident when I ask what the answer will be. The horse needs that confidence from me".

Some of the older horses were disturbed a little - mostly because there were holes, or their rider had not asked enough. He had one very good session teaching an advanced medium horse the beginnings of piaffe working from the ground with a whip as an aid - tapping only of course, and with great patience and contact releases as the horse struggled to find the answer. "Half-halt, lift, ask him to dance a little - but never so much as he begins to resist"

Enjoy!