This is the study of under the parameters of what is healthy movement for the horse, what is healthy when we introduce a rider into the equation.  When we no longer are just talking about the horse and healthy movement, but the horse/rider combination, a new creature, one combined from two, this new physical structure demanding different parameters to ensure the health of the horses.  

This is where we speak of bend not lean, collection and the need for the horse not to be on his forehand and why.

Dedicated to understanding the complexity of the aids that ask for bend. This is where the rider has the most difficulty in the transition from passenger to rider when we begin to direct the energy of the horse.  A bridge we need to help riders cross, maximizing the lessons that come before and that come after.

Kjersos Potential ~

For the Horses. From the Horses.

Creating the feels and connections that are the path to the centaur.

Celebrating free flowing movement leading to a gymnastically healthy powerful body.

Movement is a Language all of its own.  and it is here that we begin to explore that language.  In the Genesis Foundation you discovered the patterns of energy of the horse that you had to merge to.  In Changing Directions you took up the responsibility that happens when you take up the reins and begin directing those energies.  Here we take the next step and we begin to play. We search within.   We search within the patterns of energy, within the patterns of direction, for angles.  Angles that create, open up and change the horse, variance within the pattern while respecting the energies that exist at all times.

This is the beginning.  The beginning of the creation of dynamic potential.  This is where the conversation begins with the horse, as we explore, we open up possibilities. Opening up our minds and the minds of our horses to the idea of possibilities.  It is here that everything changes.  Without this conversation, we can't start, we can't help the horse discover how collection begins with him, with his awareness of possibilities.  

Value this time, explore carefully.  You are right now creating the endings, not just the beginnings.

 Prerequisite: 

Kjersos Field of Study |  The Foundation of Riding

Enrolled concurrently or Completed:

Kjersos Field of Study |  Healthy Movement of the Centaur

Transformation using the concept of surprise to liberate the horse into a new balance.  To liberate into a higher state of dynamic potential.  The Greeks have this amazing word which means surprise and can also mean spot check.  We don't hold our horse, or pull our horses into a higher state of potential or a higher state of collection and balance, we challenge them.  We use surprise as a spot check a moment to test the horse against his own body, to see if he is prepared, if he is in a state of balance, a state of potential, (κατάσταση δυναμικού pronounced katástasi dynamikoú) 

Katastasi, state, dynamikou, potential, dynamic potential.

αιφνιδιασμός

aifnidiasmós

aifnidiasmos

Surprise, spotcheck

The challenge in surprising, challenging the horse is at times it needs to be subtle just gently pointing out that the current potential state is not prepared for what might come next, one moment but sometimes there comes a time where a real challenge can create a very real change, a new awareness in our horses. 

This level of riding is not a requirement of Kjrsos. It requires a horse and rider that can work together maybe for years. Work every single day with perhaps an occasional day off, where the horse becomes the ultimate athlete, at the very top of their athletic ability. Systematically built up, so that bone, muscle and sinew can support the excessive demands of this level.

It is presented here for those who feel they want to make the effort, knowing that this is a long journey, one for whatever reason your horse might not be able to complete. But this is never about completion. It is always about the journey.

While this may not be part of your journey, this area of study is invaluable if it can help you realize that the journey is in some ways a straight line. How we can build up each element which naturally leads to the next.

This study is especially invaluable to realize when certain aspects of horsemanship, that many people try to force during the beginning of their interaction with their horses, not realizing that certain elements are not things you train, they just are. They come into being when all that came before have been created correctly.

To think otherwise is not to understand what these elements are. Where they come from. And where they live in the horse's body.

Preserving, protecting, allowing, developing potential is the defining answer of Kjrsos.  It is 'the' question to make sure that the path that you have taken is true.   This is our measuring stick.

This is the study of under the parameters of what is healthy movement for the horse, what is healthy when we introduce a rider into the equation. When we no longer are just talking about the horse and healthy movement, but the horse/rider combination, a new creature, one combined from two, this new physical structure demanding different parameters to ensure the health of the horses.

This is where we speak of bend not lean, collection and the need for the horse not to be on his forehand and why.

See Beginning With The Rider article 

Kjrsos Principle We always begin with the rider.  It is the rider that determines if healthy movement is a possibility.  By starting with removing the limitations created by the rider, we empower and respect the horse from the very beginning as we take responsibility for our own issues. We fix ourselves first.

Leg Aids Don't mean faster

Collection is the horse ready to do what we want to ask for next.