| Motivated and inspired horseback riders often fall into | | | | This manner of giving with the hand is called descente |
| the perfectionism-trap. Whether you are into | | | | de main: it is also performed by taking the ends of the |
| show-jumping, dressage or endurance riding, it is easy | | | | reins with the right hand, held at the height of the rider's |
| to become obsessed with perfection, always pushing | | | | head, the arm straight out and free; but you must be |
| yourself and your horse further and harder. | | | | quite sure of the horse's mouth and its readiness to |
| Equestrian perfectionism often leads to | | | | obey, in order to use this method. Care must be taken |
| micromanagement. Micromanagement refers to the | | | | not to give with the hand or perform descente de |
| need to be in control of every movement that your | | | | main when the horse's weight is on its shoulders: the |
| horse (or children, or employees, or students) makes. | | | | proper time to perform this movement is after a |
| Ever heard of descente de la main? It is a classical | | | | half-halt, and when you feel the horse coming back on |
| riding term. I have heard many theories about the | | | | its haunches, give with the hand or perform the |
| exact meaning of descente de la main, and several | | | | descente de main. |
| heated arguments too. | | | | The proper moment, difficult to discern and seize, is |
| Descente de la main is the exact opposite of | | | | one of the most subtle and useful aids of |
| micromanagement. How many riders (and instructors!) | | | | horsemanship; for the horse, bending its haunches just |
| do you know who indulge in this manipulative pastime? | | | | as contact is released, must necessarily remain light in |
| It is often more obvious in their relationships with the | | | | hand, having no other support for the head." Francois |
| people around them. Sometimes they are also | | | | de la Gueriniere "Ecole de Cavalerie" |
| referred to as control freaks. Micromanagement is | | | | The good news is: You can let go. Relax. You really |
| disempowering and humiliating for your horse as well | | | | do not need to learn and master every riding skill |
| as for your husband, wife, child, parent, friend and | | | | immediately or perfectly. Choose the right moment and |
| co-workers. | | | | then relinquish control. Focus and put all your attention |
| Descente de la main is about empowering your horse | | | | specifically on mastering one skill at a time. Give |
| to take responsibility for his own carriage, without losing | | | | yourself and your horse a break if you feel |
| contact. When used correctly, descente de la main | | | | overwhelmed. You need breaks and rewards if you |
| can work magic - but what is it? I think it will be best to | | | | want to remain productive. And so does your horse. It |
| hand over the microphone to a master of the art of | | | | is necessary to refresh and recharge your own and |
| classical riding, and a compatriot of mine, Francois de la | | | | your horse's batteries often. |
| Gueriniere: | | | | Aim for excellence, not perfection. |
| "There are two ways of giving with the hand. The first, | | | | And do the same in your relationships. In our |
| which is the more common and most frequently used, | | | | interactions with the people around us, we often try to |
| is to lower the bridle-hand, as we have indicated. The | | | | micro-manage their behaviour because we are scared |
| second way is to take the reins in the right hand, | | | | for their safety. Maybe, however, we should practise |
| behind the left hand, and while slightly raising the reins in | | | | descente de la main in our relationships too: drop your |
| the left hand, pass control to the right hand, and finally, | | | | hands, let go, stop interfering, but do not lose contact. |
| giving up control with the left hand completely, lower | | | | Allow every one around you to take responsibility for |
| the right hand onto the neck of the horse, and hence | | | | their own actions. Your stress levels will fall |
| the horse finds itself completely free from contact. | | | | dramatically! |