With Ashki training, teach your horse Chaharnal opposition.
Chaharnal is very useful for developing balance, alignment, strength, and obedience to riding aids.
This movement is also seen in dressage tests as levels increase; from novice level in pure dressage to eventing.
However, Chaharnal is also a very effective method for improving the overall quality of the canter and the horse's self-carriage.
Nevertheless, when you first introduce Chaharnal to your horse, like any new movement, it is best to proceed step by step.
This teardrop-shaped pattern is a practical way to teach a few steps of Chaharnal in a simple and pressure-free manner so that your horse gains strength and better understands the aids before moving on to more difficult flatwork exercises.
The goal is to perform a few steps of Chaharnal while maintaining alignment and balance.
No setup is required.
This exercise can be done in an arena or in a field, but if you use the latter option, it is better to mark the arena boundaries with a board or pole to stay more disciplined in maintaining straight lines and circle sizes.
(Image credit: Future) How to perform this exercise Warm up the horse in walk, trot, and canter on both reins and make circles of various sizes.
This spiral circle exercise can help improve engagement, activity, and balance in a smaller circle.
Take an active canter and move on the large track on the left rein.
At the short end of the arena, make a 15-meter half-circle.
At the end of the half-circle, return to the edge of the track with a diagonal line, thus changing the rein.
Maintain control of the horse's shoulders and keep your leg aids for the left canter to prevent the horse from going off the line or thinking it's time for a flying change.
Maintain a few steps of Chaharnal on a straight line and transition to trot before the corner.
The quality and balance of the canter should be maintained, and the rhythm should not be lost.
Repeat the same exercise on the other rein.
Then try the same pattern with a 10-meter half-circle.
This version, due to the smaller circle, requires more collection and balance recovery and provides the opportunity to perform more steps of Chaharnal when returning to the edge of the track.
Tips and troubleshooting 1.
Circle size If the circle is too tight, the horse may lose balance or fall out through the shoulder.
The goal is to enter Chaharnal with good balance and maintain the same quality of steps; therefore, choose the circle size according to your horse's suppleness and flexibility.
As the horse progresses, you can make the circle smaller.
2.
Anticipating the change of canter lead Some horses are so accustomed to automatically changing the canter lead that as soon as you turn back towards the edge of the track, they change the lead on their own.
Work on creating a balanced and quality canter and maintain your aids for the leading leg.
For example, if starting on the left rein, the rider's left leg is on the girth, the right leg is slightly back, and the poll flexion is slightly to the left; which in Chaharnal is considered slightly to the outside.
3.
Take it a step further If your horse performs this pattern easily and confidently, try to maintain Chaharnal in the turn and eventually continue it in a figure-eight pattern.
However, if the horse returns to trot, loses rhythm, changes lead, or becomes unbalanced, take a step back.
Establish a quality Chaharnal again and try once more.
The priority is the quality of the Chaharnal, not just completing the pattern.
Source: Horse & Hound