Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel shows you how to create positive tension for a more beautiful horse

With all the current talk of negative tension and the debate over hyperflexion / rollkur and other ‘in vogue’ techniques Dressage Today has published an interesting article from an FEI trainer with a slightly different perspective.

Whilst we might have settled on an approach designed to instill relaxed confidence in our horses, how do we create “chutzpah” ? Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel suggests that je ne sais quoi we’re after could (should) be ‘positive tension’.

von Neumann-Cosel is quick to point out that positive tension cannot be created overnight. Putting the icing on the cake is something to introduce slowly, as part of your regular training regime. You’ll still need a relaxed horse (both mentally and physically) upon which to build the performance.

“Motivation creates a great amount of focus and intensity in the animal without negative tension and the ability to take a correction that will perfect the performance.

But, what could motivate the horse and is accessible for us while we are riding? As you watch the horse playing in a field on a crisp morning and you see his joy in moving, prancing with an arched neck and suspended movement (maybe without a relaxed back) you can observe the spirit and possibility of movement. So, in general, the horse, as a flight animal, enjoys the outlet of his energy through movement.”

- F. von Neumann-Cosel

Images from Equisearch.com – Felicitas von Neumann-Cosell rides Hosanna, an 11-year-old Hanoverian mare. Hosanna shows the difference from a working trot to a more powerful and cadenced trot, with clearly more expression and change of balance toward her hindquarters. Photo by Mary McKenna

Creating Positive Tension for a More Beautiful Horse [Dressage Today]

Send an email to Danelle Jones, the author of this post, at danelle@gingerbeet.com