Extending and Collecting

Question
Hi, I was looking at some books about dressage and some of it mentioned extended and collected walks and trots.  I know that extend and collect means to extend and collect the horses stride (make the stride longer or shorter) but I do not understand how to get the horse to extend and collect.  The most that I could come up with was to collect you tightened the reins but continued to ask your horse to go forward.  Is this correct, and how do you get your horse to extend?

Answer
Hi Sarah

Firstly, I presume that you have a horse who is working in an established outline, and in self carriage.  

For collection, and this is my method, which I have worked on for a long time with my mare, it may need a little adaptation for your horse, sit deep into your saddle, and ask your horse to keep the energy, but shorten the stride.  I find it best to work on it in trot first, without stirrups, then you will get the 'feel' of the energy being contained.  Ask him to 'sit back' on to his hocks, as if you are preparing for a jump....this will get his attention.  

Lift your hands, but only slightly, and bring them more into your stomach...this will raise his head and neck, shortening his frame, and shortening his stride.  It may take a while, but keep on trying, and things will improve.

For extension, get an established trot or forward going walk, and ask him to make the stride longer, but not increase the pace.  I usually use half halts to control the speed, and my seat to extend the pace.  Sit deep in your saddle, and ask for an extra half inch on the stride, but no increase in pace.  

A good instructor will help as well...just once a month and you will notice the improvements.  Also, a bit of jumping gridwork, with one stride, then two, then one, will help you to get the feel of the extension and collection.  

I hope this has helped, and if you have any problems, or there are any other questions that I can hep you with, then please don't hesitate to ask me.

Good luck

Emma xx