Matt Hicks Scales of Training – Collection

Collection is acheived when the horse carries more weight on his hindquarters. “Collection refers to the horses ability to transfer weight from the forehand (shoulders and fore-legs) to the hindquarters which are designed to create forward movement.”

Stick with it!

Riding with a dressage whip helps back up the leg aid and is used to encourage a quicker, more active hindleg, to help produce more cadence in the paces. A light touch with the dressage whip encourages more engagement and activity.

Canter Walk

Transitions in the canter are a great way of developing and improving collection and self-carriage – for example canter-walk transitions.

Forward and Back on a canter circle

Forward and back on a canter circle encourages a horse to collect, particularly on a 20 metre ridden circle.

Shoulder-in at canter

One exercise that is is good for helping to develop engagement and collection is shoulder-in in canter. It helps create ‘Jump’ in the canter because they have to take weight behind, then jump through.