Flatwork is the adaptation of the schooling
movements and principles of dressage to the needs of hunters,
equitation horses, and jumpers. While dressage encompasses
difficult maneuvers such as the passage and piaffe, in which the
horse's steps have a tremendous amount of suspension, these
movements have no reasonable application for horses being shown
in the hunter, jumper, or equitation divisions. Consequently,
hunter seat riders must choose the dressage exercises which are
the most beneficial and disregard those that are not helpful in
achieving their goals.
Basic elements of flatwork are pace, bending, and transitions.
Pace is the speed at which a horse travels in each gait. Bending
refers to the horse's body being positioned on a curve to either
the left or right. Transitions are the brief periods of change
between one gait and another and are categorized as either upward
transitions, which are changes to a faster gait, or downward
transitions, which are changes to a slower gait.
Advanced concepts of flatwork are impulsion, collection, and
lengthening. Impulsion is the degree of thrust, or power, a horse
has as it moves. Collection is the increased engagement of the
horse's quarters for the benefit of lightness and mobility in the
forehand. Lengthening is the forward swing of the horse's limbs
in free and moderately extended steps, demonstrating impulsion
from the hindquarters.
Work on the flat can be physically difficult, confusing, and
frustrating to learn. This is because good flatwork requires
precise coordination of your legs, hands, and weight. Once you
are proficient on the flat, however, daily exercises will be
enjoyable and fulfilling as your horse progresses. You will then
view flatwork as a logical process which enhances the horse's
abilities and miinimizes its weaknesses, allowing your animal to
be the best athlete it can be.