Boost Your Dressage Scores Image source: www.equestrianaustralia.org.au Part 1 Dressage judges play an important role in the education of both riders their horses. The marks comments they provide can inform rider coach of the level of training achieved any areas that need more work. So, are you getting the full benefit from their comments marks? In this exciting new series, Dr Andrew Manuela McLean, founders of the Australian Equine Behaviour Centre (AEBC) Directors of Equitation Science International, will explain dressage judging against the backdrop of learning theory the equitation science training scale. Breaking down the judging criteria into training deficits to help you rectify the problems as well as providing clear training strategies that you can build on to boost your dressage scores. In this first part, Horses People Editor, Cristina Wilkins, introduces the series speaks with Andrew about his proposal to align the judging system to how the horse learns, making dressage judging more objective transparent. Dressage is training Dressage derives from the French word dresser (meaning training ), in its ultimate form, is considered the highest expression of horse training. At a national level, official competitions are governed by each country s equestrian federation (e.g. Equestrian Australia), but they follow the rules set by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) (Visit http:// www.fei.org/fei/regulations/dressage). The FEI rules state that the object of Dressage is the development of the horse through harmonious education, should ultimately result in achieving perfect understing with the rider. It is widely accepted that the horse s education or training progresses in a series of steps - something which is reflected in each of the different levels of competition, from preliminary to Gr Prix. Horses have to demonstrate they can perform at one level before moving on to the next. The FEI concepts of harmonious education perfect understing imply that the horse must learn how to behave or respond to the rider s aids, whereas development refers to the physical changes to the horse s body that allows the horse to carry a rider in balance with increased strength power. This education, therefore, has two components; one is cognitive (the psychological process of learning) the other physical (the gymnastic development strengthening of the muscles). If dressage is about training training animals is about using learning theory to shape the criteria of responses, then judging should be about de-constructing that training process. (Dr Andrew McLean) Page 38 HORSES PEOPLE Phone: 07 5467 9796 admin@horsespeople.com.au www.horsespeople.com.au HORSES PEOPLE Page 39
The equitation science shaping scale breaks down the features of the responses into a scale of priorities. This scale can be applied to every learned response movement. Unlike the FEI training scale, the equitation science training scale acknowledges the achievement of a basic attempt (e.g. a single step of the correct response) obedience (the horse s immediate reaction to an aid). It also follows classical principles because it emphasises the importance of lightness self-carriage early in training. Training the horse to respond to a light aid to maintain the response without constant pressures is essential for good welfare. The Equitation Science Shaping Scale Contact Obedience Horse is under stimulus control of hler/rider (anywhere, anytime) Horse maintains connection & outline. Development of impulsion, throughness, collection. Horse maintains directional line & straightness Horse maintains rhythm & tempo Horse offers an immediate response from a light aid Horse offers an attempt at the correct response The shaping scale of training helps us stage our training to achieve small goals track the progress until the responses are perfect. Image courtesy of Equitation Science International. Photo by Cristina Wilkins In the past, most of the schools systems of riding have focused mostly on how the rider communicates with the horse; that is, if you ride well enough, your horse will perform well. However, such systems do not promote a clear understing of how the horse learns to respond to the rider s aids in the first place. A good seat accurate application of the aids are obviously important - they allow the rider to be very clear consistent - but no one can deny that the horse has to mentally absorb, process retain the meaning of each aid. The cognitive process of learning has been studied extensively in behavioural psychology is known as learning theory. How the horse learns Dr Andrew McLean was the first to realise that dressage training can also be explained using learning theory. Working in collaboration with Prof Paul McGreevy, a specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine who has assisted Andrew to disseminate this knowledge to the scientific world, they refined many aspects of learning theory in training. Together with his wife Manuela, he developed a complete training system that aligns with learning theory respects the horse s mental abilities, instinctive tendencies biomechanical potential. This system is described in detail in the book Academic Horse Training. In great dem as a trainer, coach speaker, Andrew travels the world explaining to both lay academic audiences how training works at all levels in a refreshingly simple, logical illuminating way. Shaping scale Andrew Manuela developed the shaping scale of horse training (See opposite page), a systematic scale that identifies six stages of learning to perfect a response, from a basic attempt (an approximation of the correct response) to proof (where the horse responds correctly every time in any environment). The scale is based on the principle of shaping: reinforcing successive improvements that are approximations of the final response. Effective trainers have always known how to shape behaviours - they analyse the components of the behaviour, break them down into small chunks the horse can underst store. Each chunk leads on to the next, over time, the behaviour is perfected. Great trainers have the skill patience to capitalise on each tiny improvement as the only way of moving towards the final response. In fact, Dressage Master Gustav Steinbrecht says in his book Gymnasium of the Horse : [The training exercises] should all follow one another in such a way that the preceding exercise always constitutes a secure basis for the next one. Violations of this rule will always exert payment later on... Training versus judging Recently, Andrew has turned his attention from training to dressage judging. Speaking at several 2014 international forums, including the International Equitation Science Conference the Global Dressage Forum, Andrew put forward a proposal to make dressage judging more objective clear by applying learning theory. If dressage is about training, says Andrew, training animals is about using learning theory to shape the criteria of responses, then dressage judging is about de-constructing training; deconstructing what the trainers are trying to do. Judging in any sport should be about objectivity - facts that are probably true - rather than subjectivity, which are opinions, personal interpretations, unsubstantiated assumptions inherent biases - but many people believe dressage is rife with subjectivity prone to inherent biases. Dressage professionals have highlighted problems, such as discrepancies of 30-40% between individual judges inherent bias. In an article published by eurodressage.com, President of the International Riders Club FEI competitor Wayne Channon called for judging to move into the 21st Century nominated four levels of judging bias: Conformity Bias - judges feeling that they have to fit in with their colleagues. National Bias - scoring one s own nation higher than the other judges. Order Bias - the later a rider starts the better chance they have of a higher mark. Memory Bias - remembering the previous marks awarded to the same horse/rider combination awarding marks based on that performance, rather than what was actually seen on the day. Page 40 HORSES PEOPLE Phone: 07 5467 9796 admin@horsespeople.com.au www.horsespeople.com.au HORSES PEOPLE Page 41
The FEI Training Scale According to Dr Andrew McLean, the FEI or German training scale, which dressage judges rely on, does not aid towards clear objective judging because it is not scalar enough; that is, it does not describe a succession or progression of training steps like a learning theory based shaping scale does. Indeed, most dressage professionals now agree that the FEI training scale is really a set of directives or qualities to aim for during all stages of training. An example of how it fails being scalar is straightness, which currently lies after impulsion. It is impossible to imagine that a horse could have impulsion or maintain an even contact if it is not straight, says Andrew. The elements of a training scale should be objective directly observable where possible, some of the elements of the FEI Training Scale, for example suppleness connection, are not easily observable or objective. Some horses, for example, already look more supple than others without any training, so suppleness is not an easy training criterion. The FEI training scale was first seen in a cavalry manual published in 1912. What is quite clear in its first description is that many of these qualities were not singular - they were included together. It fails to Image source: FEI Dressage Judges Hbook acknowledge the very first step in learning - the basic attempt or obedience (responding to a single light aid in all the basic rein leg responses). This may have been because in those early days, the horses were mostly military mounts were expected to be already trained to rhythm level. In the judges hbook (excerpt above), the description of the FEI training scale shows the interaction of all the parts; in other words, its scalar elements are even more reduced. Other authors have changed the position of some elements, for example Erik Herbermann who places straightness before impulsion. This shows there is no real community of thought. Channon points out that judging needs to be simple so judges get it; transparent so riders, coaches the audience get it; objective so riders can trust it ; reliable so that what we value is not too complex. Importantly, Wayne declares himself a proponent of separating the judging tasks into manageable chunks - a statement which Andrew points out sounds just like shaping. Far from attacking the judges, Andrew believes judges judge what they see at the time, based on the FEI training scale. His review proposal centres around enhancing the FEI training scale by making it truly scalar aligning the elements with learning theory. In this way, the scale could be applied to every dressage movement used as the marking criteria. Establishing priorities Equitation science emphasises that horse training should prioritise, for the sake of safety, obtaining clear control of the horse s mobility, which should be achieved from light aids to protect the horse from strong or constant pressures. This, as Andrew reminds, is old classical training ideology - legs first, then frame; in other words, the head neck posture is a consequence of training the legs to respond to our aids. Problematic head carriages almost always reflect major training holes in lightness to either leg or rein aids or both. All dressage movements are based on just four mobility responses, says Andrew. These basic responses, which have to be trained in all gaits, are the basic responses that horses learn are reflected in the lower level dressage tests. (See text box below) The basic responses: Andrew explains that, in training, the rider first achieves a basic attempt of these four responses. By applying learning theory correctly, the horse then learns to respond immediately from a light aid every time. This is what behaviourists call stimulus control, which in equitation may be better understood as obedience - an immediate response to a single light aid. Once these basic responses are installed once the horse develops the physical strength required, the responses can be chained together one after the other (not at the same time preferably as it could confuse the horse) in cascades of responses to produce the more advanced complex movements. For example, half pass is a composite movement consisting of a turn response a yielding the hindlegs response. Shoulder-in is a turn of the forelegs off the line, while travers is an indirect turn on the line followed by a yielding the hindlegs response. The quality of these higher composite responses depends on the quality of the basic responses. Andrew insists that the first steps of basic attempt stimulus control need to be added to the FEI training scale before rhythm. There is no slot in the FEI scale for basic attempt stimulus control, says Andrew. It is assumed, probably because in the early days when dressage was first introduced as a sport, the horses, which were mostly military mounts, were trained had already achieved rhythm level for the required movements. We can t assume that anymore today. Horses may perform at competitions when they are only beginning to learn shoulder-in or piaffe we need to be able to assess this mark them accordingly. All dressage movements are based on these four mobility responses. Acceleration: This includes all upward transitions making clear distinctions between up a gait, quicker steps, longer steps, at a more advanced level, higher steps. Deceleration: Downward transitions making clear distinctions between down a gait, slower steps shorter steps. Turning the forelegs in both directions. Yielding the hindlegs in both directions. JUDGING vs.training SERIES Goodwoods Specials Paddock Pro Combo $ 99 Paddock Pro Rug $ 79 NZ Ripstop Lined Canvas Combo $ 69 Storm Rain sheet Combo 2 for $160 3 for $230 Mail Order Hotline Phone 02 9519 8844 SHOP ONLINE! www.goodwoods.com.au Camperdown Warehouse Unit 19, 1 Denison St Camperdown, NSW 2 for $180 3 for $250 2 for $150 3 for $210 2 for $130 3 for $180 $ 89 Postage All orders under $40 will only be charged $10.95 postage, when being processed. All other orders $16.95. Saddles & Swags $19.95. Express Postage available on request, at an additional charge. Page 42 HORSES PEOPLE Phone: 07 5467 9796 admin@horsespeople.com.au www.horsespeople.com.au HORSES PEOPLE Page 43
Applying the shaping scale to different movements Meaning for the trainer Applied to the HALT Reinforce a basically correct response The horse stops Lightness. Reinforce one stride from one light aid. Horse stops from a light aid Self-carriage. Reinforce multiple strides from one light aid, maintains tempo, stride length Horse stops smoothly remains stopped Reinforce multiple strides on your line from one light aid Horse stops square on the line Reinforce multiple strides with correct posture from one light aid Reinforce all previous qualities in various environments The equitation science training scale describes the sequential steps the horse needs to learn to perfect each response. Under this system, the judge s marks would reflect the actual stage of training any training errors. This would make judging more objective, easier more transparent. Riders would get it walk away from each competition with a good idea of where their training is at, where it has gone wrong what elements need to be re-trained, improved or refined for each response or movement. By emphasising the importance of lightness selfcarriage in all movements, a scale like this would also align good judging with good welfare. Applied to LENGTHENED STRIDES Horse experiences longer strides (overtracks) from rider s aids Horse lengthens from light aids Horse maintains lengthening tempo from one light aid Horse lengthens maintains line with hind hooves on the same line as the fore hooves Horse lengthens with consistent head neck carriage (soft back) Engagement as per level. Horse lengthens as above in various environments Horse stops with correct head, neck body posture Horse stops as above in various environments When applied to judging, the equitation science training scale could also be used to set firewalls or ceilings for marks, so that if any step is not present, the mark is frozen at the step below. According to Andrew, rhythm should be firewalled, so that no horse, regardless how expressive his movement, cannot be marked higher than a 6 if he is not showing self-carriage. is another level that should be firewalled, not just because crookedness thwarts the horse s ongoing progress, but also because the lack of it may mean the horse is subject to ongoing pressures on one side or the other. This would mean that a horse that is not straight could not receive marks higher than 7. Applied to PIAFFE Horse experiences piaffe steps from rider s aids Piaffe steps arise from a single aid Horse can continue to perform piaffe from a single aid Piaffe steps now on the chosen line straight Piaffe steps arise with a consistent head, neck body posture Piaffe can be produced in various environments Photo courtesy of Ignacio Bravo Stimulus control, which Andrew terms obedience, should be assessed as happening immediately from a single light aid. It is easy to see if the rider is constantly spurring or holding the horse, or if the response is delayed, this ties in with the element of rhythm. Andrew insists it is critical to define rhythm according to the oldest most useful definition - that the horse keeps doing what was asked. Judges often differ in their interpretation of the term some believe it is the regularity of the gaits. While regularity is an important aspect of rhythm, says Andrew, it is secondary from the training perspective of continuing to respond to the single aid. When seen from this perspective, rhythm can be directly observable assessed with tests of self-carriage (momentarily softening the rein /or leg contact). Self-maintenance of the response is what training is all about, in Andrew s view, it is essential to ensure good welfare. is shaped after rhythm can also be assessed with self-carriage tests., says Andrew, is not about the straightness of the body, but rather a function of laterality, to a smaller extent, asymmetry. The effect of laterality is that one diagonal pair of legs tends to provide more propulsive thrust than the other. The other diagonal pair tends to provide slightly more reverse thrust the difference between them skews the horse. Biomechanically, crookednes is normal for quadrupeds as it allows them to place the hindlegs deeper so that one leg goes in between the forelegs, as happens in jumping or galloping. When training lightness rhythm, he continues, if the trainer focusses on making the diagonal pairs as even as possible, the horse will maintain perfect rhythm straightness. Horse training should, for the sake of safety welfare, prioritise obtaining clear control of the horse s mobility from light aids. The contact or connection level in the scale includes other subtleties, not just the horse-rider contact, but the further physical development of the horse s impulsion, durchlaessigkeit (throughness) collection. Rather than being actual learned responses, these elements occur as the horse becomes physically stronger. Durchlaessigkeit, a German word that is as hard to translate as it is to pronounce is known as throughness, but has been better described as letting go-ness or when the rein aids flow through to the hind legs. This, says Andrew, is a very important part of training a horse: it is not good enough when you pull on the reins the horse just slows his front legs. His hindlegs must also dig-in to some extent this occurs by lowering the hindquarters. When seen from this perspective, the degree of throughness also corresponds with the degree of collection because, as the horse improves develops physical strength, the hind foot prints begin to step closer to the front foot prints. So, impulsion, throughness collection should be seen as on a continuum at the same scalar level but varying only for the training stage. The last step of the equitation science training scale is proof - an element that Andrew says he borrowed from American dog trainers. It is important to show that what you have trained at home in your indoor arena will still work when you go elsewhere, he states. Horses are very contextualised in their learning (they make associations between the behaviour the place where they are doing it), so it is normal for the wheels to fall off to some extent when you move to a different environment. It is important to gradually shape that as well - taking them to slightly more challenging places over time. Page 44 HORSES PEOPLE Phone: 07 5467 9796 admin@horsespeople.com.au www.horsespeople.com.au HORSES PEOPLE Page 45
Casual Competition Western Training your horse at AEBC Evidence based learning Humane, reward based training Professional care World class facilities Ongoing support Premium training & care for your horse JUDGING vs.training SERIES Merging the Equitation Science Scale with the FEI Scale Mark Qualification Criteria 0 No movement shown Horse does not perform movement or performs an opposing response Rider Gear 1 Major disobedience Horse bucks, rears, leaps, bolts, spins, pigroots 2 Minor disobedience Horse kicks out at rider s leg, moves head excessively 3 Resistance Horse lifts or lengthenes neck, rider has to use strong aids, not relaxed. 4 Horse performs recognisable movement in correct gait 5 Obedience Horse performs movement immediately from light aids Foundation Training General Training Problem Behaviours All breeds, levels & disciplines 6 7 8 Contact Horse performs movement in correct rhythm, tempo stride length, rhythm selfmaintained Horse s foreh hindquarters are on the correct tracks, neck spine are correctly aligned, head is vertical Horse is in correct frame, back is soft swinging, hindquarters pushin, rein, leg seat contact is consistent (03) 5787 1374 www.aebc.com.au 9 10 Engagement Harmony, perfection Horse shows suppleness, impulsion, throughness, back is up hindquarters are lowered, collection Horse rider movements flow, horse is responding to invisible cues Merging training judging www.herdz.com.au Earth Care - People Care - Horse Care An online platform for all horse l owners to share principles, experiences education. Equine Permaculture unites like-minded horse people that want to learn about the principles implementation of permaculture design other sustainable farming strategies on their own properties. Equine Permaculture is powered by... www.equinepermaculture.com Join the movement towards responsible horse keeping sustainable living using permaculture! If the equitation scale was universally accepted to describe the training process, the judge s marks would reflect the actual training error. This way, trainers would have a better idea of where the training had gone wrong what elements need to be re-trained, improved or refined for each response or movement. By emphasising the importance of lightness selfcarriage in all movements, a scale like this would also align good judging with good welfare. For example, instead of the current criteria for a mark of 5 being sufficient, the benchmark would become basic attempt - the required movement was visible happened at the correct place. Marks below 4 would indicate a failure at basic attempt the severity would reflect the gravity of the training problem. Marks from 5 to 10 would align with the training scale to show the level of development towards harmony between horse rider. The scale could also be used to set firewalls or ceilings for marks, so that if any step is not present, the mark is frozen at the step below. According to Andrew, rhythm should be firewalled, so that no horse, regardless how expressive his movement, can be marked higher than a 6 if he is not showing self-carriage. is another level that should be firewalled, not just because crookedness thwarts the horse s ongoing progress, but also because the lack of it may mean the horse is subject to ongoing pressures on one side or the other. This would mean that a horse that is not straight could not receive marks higher than 7. Andrew is a firm believer that judging welfare should be synonymous. Judges are the housekeepers of welfare the system should be transparent for all. If we want to see dressage go into the future, it must be sustainable, it must move away from its cultural shadow become more objective. Importantly though, a more objective system would give judges more confidence credibility. Next month While the dressage world is entrenched in its own history traditions, changes such as Andrew proposes will take time to be accepted, the truth is that, with a good understing of learning theory the shaping process, it is still possible to make some sense of the current judging system against the equitation science shaping scale in a way that can inform your training. Next month, Manuela McLean will begin to explain the most common comments that judges make against the backdrop of learning theory, as well as provide strategies for rectifying any training problems. Comments such as not shown, resistance, not forward, needs to be more uphill, etc. will be grouped placed into the appropriate level of the equitation science training scale. Clear training strategies to improve each response will be broken down explained. Page 46 HORSES PEOPLE Phone: 07 5467 9796 admin@horsespeople.com.au www.horsespeople.com.au HORSES PEOPLE Page 47