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The training pyramid (also commonly referred to as the German Training Scale) was developed in the early 1900s by the German cavalry as a way to progressively train and condition their horses for battle. These horses were used extensively in both world wars where they showcased their superior strength, obedience, and bravery. By the 1950s, the training scale made its way to the civilian riding scene and has been used extensively since then to train dressage horses to the highest levels of the sport.
Today, the training pyramid is known almost exclusively among dressage riders and is often referred to as the Dressage Training Pyramid. This leads many to believe that it is only used to train talented, high-level dressage horses. In reality every horse, from stocky cow horses to agile jumpers and even beginner lesson ponies can benefit from the systemic program set by the training pyramid.
What is the Training Pyramid?
The training pyramid is a structured approach designed to build a strong foundation in a ridden horse. This method strengthens the horse's muscles, improves balance over the hindquarters, and increases flexibility, fostering better harmony and responsiveness between horse and rider. By following the pyramid's step-by-step program, riders can avoid common setbacks and gaps in their horse's training.
When followed precisely, a horse trained following the training scale (which takes AT MINIMUM 2 years) will become obedient, willing, supple, balanced, and, later, collected and brilliant. While the end goal of the training pyramid is collection, even those who do not want to perform collected maneuvers (like the piaffe) can still use the training pyramid as a guide to improving their horse.
Why Do We Need the Training Pyramid?
Horses naturally carry more weight on their front legs (60% on the front vs. 40% behind). Once the additional weight of a human is added the scale can become tipped too far to the front. This can overload the joints and cause degenerative changes over time.
Therefore, we want to ride our horses with some degree of suppleness, straightness, and collection to strengthen and protect the delicate structures in their body.
Correct training is needed to help the horse shift the extra weight of the rider to their hind legs, alleviating the added burden from the front legs. The systemic approach outlined in the training scale allows the rider to slowly teach the horse to move in a way that preserves their joints and strengthens the muscles for a long, productive life.
The Training Pyramid
There are several variations of the training pyramid that have been adapted by numerous riders and organizations over the years. Below is a version of the Classical German Training Scale adapted from Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner's masterpiece Elements of Dressage. I believe this iteration of the pyramid adheres best to the principles of classical riding and provides a practical framework for bringing a horse along in their training.
The training pyramid is broken up into three stages. Each stage can take a couple of months to a couple of years depending on the horse, but will usually take between 5 and 8 months.
Once the horse has been accustomed to ridden work, they are ready to start stage 1 of the training pyramid. Stage 1 starts the horse out slow and serves to get them relaxed, moving forward, and familiar with the aids of their rider.
Before a horse can focus, learn, or perform they need to be both mentally and physically relaxed. Relaxation is the foundation for ALL of a horse's training both in the saddle and on the ground.
A relaxed horse is free of tension and comfortable with their surroundings. The horse should be both mentally relaxed (calm and without anxiety) and physically relaxed (without negative muscular tension). When assessing relaxation look for a calm expression and free-flowing gaits with a relaxed neck and head carriage. A relaxed horse should willingly respond to the rider without tension or fear.
Every gait has a set number of beats: 4 for the walk, 2 for the trot, and 3 for the canter. A horse moving with rhythm should display regular, even footfalls in the correct sequence at each gait.
At this phase in their training, the horse should strive to move at a natural working gait with regularity and rhythm. They should be balanced and able to walk, trot, and canter at a steady tempo without slowing down or rushing.
Connection has two parts: on the aids and contact. Being on the aids means the horse willingly responds to the rider's seat, hands, and leg aids. The horse needs to quickly and willingly respond to their rider.
At this phase, the rider should be able to take light contact with the horse's mouth. The horse should flex at the poll slightly (but must stay in front of vertical) with a light feel on the reins. A rider can test their horse's contact by slowly pushing their arms forward and down. The horse should respond by relaxing their head to follow the movement and keep a feel on the bit.
Once connection has been achieved, the rider should be able to easily guide their horse through a series of low-level movements and transitions with minimal aids. It should feel as though the horse is waiting for a signal and ready to act immediately to light aids.
Once the horse is moving freely forward, willingly responds to light aids, and is relaxed under their rider, they are ready to move on to stage 2. Stage 2 continues a horse's forward-thinking work and begins to build thrust from their hindquarters. They will become more balanced, cadenced, and supple in this phase.
Green horses have a way of wiggling all over the place. However, if you want your horse to be able to effectively respond to your aids and take more weight on their hindquarters, they must be straight.
Straightening the horse is complicated by their natural crookedness. Like humans, horses are either right or left-side dominant and will be stiffer to one side. Training for straightness helps correct this imbalance, enabling the horse to move straight and develop an even, supple bend around curves.
Suppleness goes hand-in-hand with straightness. However, a supple horse displays a higher degree of balance and can shift their center of gravity forward, backward, and side-to-side smoothly and without resistance or tension. A supple horse displays an increased connection between their hindquarters and the rider's hands. At this point the rider can begin recycling the horse's energy and ask them to shift their weight backward, moving towards increased thrust and collection.
A supple horse will be able to carry themselves around circles and turns in balance, conforming their body to the proper curve. Transitions should appear effortless and the whole horse should look as though it is flowing through their work.
By stage 3 the horse is balanced, supple, and responsive to their rider's aids. They are willing and able to perform lateral movements and can take more weight onto their hindquarters. In stage 3, they will continue their work towards collection and, ultimately, develop self-carriage, where they are able to work with their weight well over their hindquarters without the constant support of the rider.
Impulsion is driven by the powerful thrust of the horse’s hindquarters, which serves as the engine for all movement. This energy flows through a relaxed, elastic spine, creating elevated, forward motion. For this process to work effectively, the horse must have a straight, supple body and a swinging back capable of transferring energy smoothly through its entire frame.
With impulsion, a horse’s movements gain brilliance. Their gaits become lighter and display greater suspension, showcasing a sense of power and elegance. They will be able to generate maximum power (in a long-stretching extended gait) at a moment's notice. However, impulsion is easy to fake. The horse must have a swinging, elastic spine and well-engaged hindquarters to display true impulsion.
Collected movements are the pinnacle of a horse’s training, demonstrating strength, suppleness, obedience, and brilliance. In collection the horse moves with more weight shifted onto the hindquarters, displaying a lowered and engaged hind end, an elevated forehand, and a gracefully rounded neck with the poll as the highest point.
This posture engages the correct muscles to protect the joints and promote a long, sound career. With training the horse will develop self-carriage and be able to hold the position with the lightest aids from the rider.
A collected horse responds instantly to the lightest aids, moving with balance, suppleness, and precision. Strides become cadenced, light, and full of suspension. At this stage, riding feels effortless.
Strict adherence to the training pyramid will reward riders with a horse that is supple, pleasant to ride, and brilliant in their movements. However, even if you do not have competition aspirations, riding with the classical training scale will develop your horse mentally and physically for their job and set them up for a long, happy career.
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