>> In roundness, the energy of the horse is within the circle, which bisects >> his mouth and his feet. >> > > What do you mean by roundness? Are you referring to a round, collected > frame? Where did this information come from?
By roundness, I'm using the accepted use by classical dressage. It's not an "official" term, but used, nonetheless. I am not referring to collection. It's a feeling, a look, that the horse gives of being round. This look or feeling can be validated by applying the science of biomechanics, which for roundness starts at the hindquarters, with the legs under the mass: hindquarters engaged. The *engaged* hindquarters have the ability to lift the back, in relation to the withers. I will try to find additional information about the circle of roundness; in the meantime, here's some info on the two circles, and bringing them together: >From the Scottish Dressage Society: "As we have discussed in previous lessons, the horse's natural stance or balance is on the forehand, with most of his weight over the front legs. Your job as the rider is to rebalance the horse back onto the hind quarters and engage the most powerful part of the horse, the hind legs and quarters. This is where the half halt or half parade is used. You will notice that I am still not mentioning collection. The re-balancing or engagement of the hindquarters is just another part of preparation for collection. Collection, the principles of collection and how to achieve collection will be the subject of several lessons in the future. Itís a huge, misunderstood and misquoted subject. Now back to engagement, balance and the half halt. This way of visualizing the gathering up, the closing together and engagement of the horse was taught to me by Herr Kalman de Jarenak of the Hanovarian Society in Germany. Imagine that there are two circles. When the horse is long, not gathered but is on the aids, the circles are apart. One circle encompassing the forehand and second circle around the hindquarters. Your job as the dressage rider is to close these circles together." Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
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