Most riders are taught what to do. Almost none are taught why.
When you understand why your horse responds as it does, the exercises you already know start to work. That's what GaitAcademy teaches Icelandic horse riders.
GaitAcademy is where Icelandic horse riders learn and flourish — as riders, trainers and horsemen.
We shall take great care not to annoy the horse and spoil his friendly charm, for it is like the scent of a blossom — once lost it will never return.
Antoine de Pluvinel, French riding master, 1552–1620
A tense horse. A rider trying to help. More leg, more hand, more collection — and the horse gets more tense.
Not because anything is being done carelessly. Because collection is being asked for before the conditions are actually in place — and the usual response is to add more of what wasn't working in the first place.
Your horse isn't the only one who has to learn something new.
The Festival is free, open now, and asks nothing of you except a little curiosity about what's actually happening underneath the exercises you already know.
Join the free Festival