“For the training of horse and rider consists of numerous details which are closely related to each other. This is why, when trying to eradicate a fault or difficulty, it is hardly ever constructive to practice the exercise in question repeatedly. The teacher should return to the early stages of training, for it is the faults in the basic schooling that cause difficulties later on and make themselves felt in every exercise up to the airs of high school. Therefore I want to impress on the reader once again that the time devoted to the correct foundation of training is never wasted but helps to build a solid basis on which the more advanced exercises are accomplished with ease.”
In dog training this is often referred to as ‘going back to kindergarten’. I’ve been reading a lot of Podhajsky lately to get a different perspective on training in general. He’s a fascinating individual and I highly recommend reading any of his many books if you enjoy training (of any kind, really), riding, or horses.
Alois Podhajsky. Director of the Spanish Riding School for many years, including during WWII. He convinced General Patton to save the Lipizzaneers, made into the Disney movie “Miracle of the White Stallions”
Quote above was from chapter 5 of “The Riding Teacher”, ISBN 0385025408, Published 1971