Ulf Moeller Young Horse Clinic, key take aways on training the young horse, as spoken by Ulf Moeller, Head Young Horse Trainer, PSI Auction Barn

Ulf’s approach was far from auctiontype riding. He showed a systematic and sympathetic approach, where the horses were given the latitude to make some mistakes while being asked to explore new ideas. If they mis-understood, or over tried - “that’s ok – no problem. Just ask again.”
They don’t know the aids so the rider needs to be very strict and structured – clear, firm and fair. “The aim is to ride towards Grand Prix with lighter and lighter aids, but first the young horses need to be taught the aids. So
you need to be firmer with young horses to teach.”

“In the beginning, the horses don’t know aids – therefore cannot react to light aids. You have to make them knowing what is an aid –everything we have to teach them. That is why we need a whip, or whatever – sometimes we have to use a little bit more, then the horse understands when you ask him something, he says “Oh”… now I know I have to go forward. The next time, he remembers, you don’t need it so much. Then step by step, the horse learns everything, and then you can really ride with light aids”. Ulf was clear that riders were not to be unfair with the horses, but be quietly demanding. If the horse presses against the contact, don’t throw it away – keep the leg, keep the contact and ask the horse for the downwards transition. Sooner or later, you need only your back for a downwards transition. But in training, you must teach the horses the boundaries, and the aids. “You cannot ride the Medium or Extended Trot without control – the horse must wait for
you, but not fall behind you.” “Don’t apologise to your horse for asking something of it”. The horse must accept all three sets of aids in concert. Even the 4yo must accept all three sets of aids – leg, seat and hand together. Ulf’s personal preference is for control with the
horse – the horse must accept all of his aids in concert otherwise he cannot “let the aids through” the whole body (Durchlässigkeit).

For some horses, that may be quicker than others – or slower. But you never want to slow down the hind leg. Ride forward from both legs and with both reins, just give the horse time to finish each stride. Take care that the first step of trot is really trot. “After a long walk break, the horse thinks work is over. So, before the trot, take care to prepare the horse by shortening the reins, grow in the seat – so that the horse expects something.” Then, ride forward from the leg and lower back into a positive contact.

Ulf asked Candace to demonstrate stretching on a 20m circle, with transitions between the gaits within the stretching frame. He was particular that the contact was maintained when stretching, and encouraged patting her behind the saddle while she cantered in stretching frame.

This allows the inside hind leg more room to step through, particularly in the downwards transition. The rider must take great care of the quality of the canter towards collection during the downwards transition.

So – what are the ideal qualities when selecting a Young Dressage Horse? Not too much of any particularly good quality was Ulf’s response. An enormous trot, even if it is natural, is more difficult to shape and maintain. It’s the training, the attention to detail that takes horses to Grand Prix.

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