Scales of training: collection

In the final instalment of our scales of training series, we’re giving you the lowdown on collection. It’s something that happens once you and your pony have mastered all the other scales, as this one’s the most advanced. You won’t need to ace collection until you reach the higher levels of dressage, but it’s still super-useful to know about!

Perfect harmony

Collection is when your pony brings more of his weight onto his hindquarters. It takes a lot of strength and balance to do, but you can develop his ability to collect gradually over time. It means his front end becomes lighter, so he can move with more expression and lift in his paces. When a pony’s properly collected, it’ll look like he’s moving uphill. It helps him carry your weight better, so it’ll be more comfy for him, too!

Best of the best

Collection isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes years to teach a pony to master all the scales needed before you achieve collection in its truest form – like the kind you see pro dressage horses, such as Valegro, doing!

You won’t be asked for collection until Elementary level dressage. Some high-level moves that show the ultimate level of collection are…

• piaffe This is when the horse trots on the spot
• canter pirouettes In canter, the horse pivots his front legs around his hind legs
• passage A very collected and elevated trot

You can try simple versions of these moves at home, such as walk pirouettes, half-halts in trot, and lengthening and shortening your pony’s strides within a pace.

Grab a copy of May PONY, on sale 7 April 2021, to find out how to master this final scale of training.