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