No, "Feel" is not a psychic connection to the horse, although when developed to its fullest, it certainly feels that way. It is also not just something that higher level riders get, although I would certainly hope that they would have it. It is something concrete that can be tied into even at the lowest level, and certainly SHOULD be taught right from the start.
Feel is the connection of the rider's aids to the horse, and the horse's response to them as well as the ongoing dialog between horse and rider. Responses from the horse can range from very subtle to very very obvious. One of the easiest ways to start to recognize our horse's communication attempts is by gaining an awareness of the movement of the legs underneath us when under saddle. As a new rider, this might be very difficult, so starting at the simplest level is best, and that is the feel of the inside hind leg when it is engaged and stepping through under the horse.
You will hear over and over in any dressage lesson ring the importance of that inside hind leg... that is the leg that propels one forward for the correct diagonal at the trot, and really is the telltale for seeing true impulsion while on the ground. The reaching of the inside hind leg is what actually helps to straighten the horse so it can travel on 2 tracks, as a horse naturally travels on three tracks with the hind leg trailing to one side or the other at the walk, trot, and canter. Having the horse bring that inside leg underneath them is what straightens a horse, not bending through the spine under the saddle (lateral movement of the spine in the torso area is not anatomically possible), or bending through just the neck.
It is also the easiest way I have found to help students gain a simple "feel" of their horse, by demonstrating correct hind leg impulsion versus lack of impulsion. When riding on a circle with good impulsion, one will "feel" a strong and clear thrust for upward motion of the post, but the thrust is not an uncomfortable thrust, but rather a balanced push. A horse that has a lack of thrust will "feel" more bumpy during all phases of the trot because the energy of the legs causes the back to spring up in a less controlled manner. The horse with hind leg thrust will have lowered their haunches to get the necessary stretch to reach underneath themselves. They will also have engaged their abdominal muscles and lifted their back providing a more stable feel in the saddle because the back is being held by muscles and not bouncing. Once a student gets the chance to feel the two different feels on a horse, it is much easier for them to understand what the instructor is asking for, and steers them away from using rein adjustments to pull the head into pseudo collection. This truly demonstrates the value of having a higher level school horse around to provide lessons. How will the student ever learn if they aren't shown what true straightness, impulsion, collection and connection feels like?
The second simple way is to have them pay attention to the horse's head movements at all the gaits, from the nod and stretch of the walk, to the bopping along nod of the trot, to the slower nod of the canter. This clues them into the importance of keeping a soft, flexible elbow and shoulder. I have the students circle their hands at the walk in the rhythm of the head nod so that they can get the idea of a following hand, and then contrast this with stopping the hand while still urging the horse forward so that they can see how much their hand influences the horse (most horses will raise their heads and stop, the better trained ones will produce a nice uniform halt). Another great exercise is for them to stop their arm and hand movement and watch their horse's response to their confining hand, which is often raising the head, hollowing the back and producing shorter choppier steps. Have them contrast this with the quiet "following hand" to get a clear idea of how important the communication with the reins is.
There are several more exercises, but this final one is another simple exercise that beginners are certainly capable of accomplishing. Have the student give leg aids on the horse's side (one sided at first), at the girth first to feel the horse's front legs move over, and then behind the girth to feel the hind legs responding to the aid.
These exercises are a good way to develop feel for the beginning rider. These kinds of exercises are important to start in the very beginning. It is my opinion that feel is something that should be taught in the beginning alongside of developing a secure and balanced seat; this will help create a horseperson, and not just a rider.
See you in the ring!
Crystal
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