T
he most important truth for the rider to remember is
that the use of the double will not create impulsion
or collection, it will simply confirm what has
already been established in the snaffle, whether that be
good or bad. So, if the horse is lacking impulsion and is
disconnected, it will most likely back off from the double
bridle and develop resistance to moving forward. Should the
horse be correctly working through and over the back from
behind with a good stable contact in the hand, however, the
transition to the double should confirm this.
The term `connection' is one that Australian Dressage Team
rider and coach Brett Parbery uses heavily, and is perhaps a better
term to use than the somewhat over-worked and misunderstood
`working in a frame'. Connection is the creation of impulsion
from the hind end of the horse, using the driving aids from the
rider's leg aid, which is contained or released by the restraining
aids of the seat and hand, developing forward motion. The rider
will feel the horse's back lift (sometimes described as a feeling
of a `widening' under the seat bones) as the hind legs engage more
underneath, which then creates the rounded outline that is both strong
and correct. When this occurs the horse is said to be `between the
leg and hand', and connected. Importantly, the rounded outline is not
created by the hands, but through this correct connection and circle of
energy.
International dressage judge and coach Uwe Spenlen states that before
considering transitioning to the double the horse must be able to be
ridden in a proper connection at all times in the snaffle bridle. The rider
must have a true `independent seat'. "The rider must not be dependant
in any way on the hands for balance or support. The combination must
also be secure in the contact through various movements in training and
in competition, so the horse is consolidated in the proper connection,
and working through and over the back from the hind legs to the bridle."