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Severo Jurado Lopez

In my opinion it is important to make it easy for the horse. It has to be very simple for him to understand what is the right thing to do and what it is that the human wants. I do that with the right (& simple aids) and rewarding the horse. Never use two opposite aids in the same time, best example: Do not pull and kick. If I keep it simple, the communication is better. The horses almost always want to understand us, so if they do not, I have to think about my aids and body language. You will get a deeper connection, only when the communication is right. When the horse trusts you, but also when he knows that he has to listen to you carefully at all time.

There are many different ways with sensitive horses. It is difficult to say it like this. It is very important to be a good equestrian and read your horse. If you understand why your horse is sensitive, you can decide what to do and adjust your training etc. When the horse is stressed about other horses, you can train this in specific. But if your horse is a little insecure and is stressing easily in new situations or competitions, it is important that the horse trusts you, but also trusts you as a leader. I am kind of saying to the horse "focus on me and follow my lead/aids and all will be ok". When I ride, my goal is always to have this special bond with my horse, to become like one. In that case, they only focus on me and not on any surroundings.

Find out why your horse is sensitive, and make sure it is not only playing with you. Work on the problems, and work on a better communication, but without putting the horse in a situation that he (& you) cannot handle. You want to do it step by step and with a positive outcome. Make the horse always focus on you.

Do not think about the sensitivity or the problems. Because your body language will get tense and your riding stiff and afraid. Think about an exercise that you want to train today, and focus on that (it can only be a shoulder-in, but focus on the bending, on cadence and on softness instead of focusing on stiffness and sensitivity).

I would keep the horse busy and with me by doing lots of different exercises, bending and tempi differences/transitions. Like this, the horse has too listen to me, and will eventually forget his surroundings.

They need to be self-confident, because then all the work gets easier.

Magic gives my horses the chance to calm down and focus on me faster. It helps them to concentrate without losing their spark or energy! For example, when I go to a competition and it is a big and crowded arena, we often only get 30 minutes to familiarize the horse with this place. It is great to get a little help from Magic in these moments, to be sure that the horse can focus on me, and does not put his mind somewhere else. I always have Magic with me as I want to give the horse good experiences when they go out to compete. Also, some horses are simply more nervous than others, and they need our extra help. I gave Fiontini NAF Instant Magic on our first day at the World Cup in Herning, and I was delighted with the results. Fiontini usually starts a little unfocussed but with Magic she was very concentrated from the beginning.

I also find horses are more trainable, and learn faster when they are concentrated and focused on me. The time spent training is also shorter, because we achieve our goal faster every day which also has a positive impact on the horses’ general health.

I also think it is super important that it does not make the horses tired. Because they need all their energy to perform, Magic only affects their mind.

When the horse is fully focused on me, and every small detail and aid that I am giving. The horse (and I) forget everything around us - "it is only us". For me, dressage is all about a deep concentration. The exercises are of course difficult, but in my opinion the main thing to achieve is this deep concentration and full focus. This is what makes dressage so special and unique. And the feeling when you ride a test with "deep concentration" is definitely unique!

All horses are very different in their character and personality (just like humans).

So, every horse has different needs, and I need to train every horse differently, and see them as individuals. If I can help a nervous horse making his days easier (training & competing) in a natural way (no doping etc), I would be stupid not to do it. Of course, the daily life is also very important (daily routine, paddock or field time...). It does not matter if you are a professional or an amateur rider, if your horse is nervous, it is nervous. I like to get as much out of my horses as possible, and I believe it is much easier if your horse is able to concentrate on you a 100 procent.

What is so special about successful training, and a great partnership with your horse?

I think when the horse is concentrated and makes his "job" good he becomes proud of himself. Also, if I am happy with them, they are happy. If the training is difficult and stressful every day for a horse, the horse becomes sad. Only a happy horse can sparkle in the ring and give you this special feeling (to the rider and public).

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Do you have a set way of training all your horses?

When do you feel that your horses are deeply connected with you?

Why do you use Five Star Magic? What improvements do you see in your horses while using it? - Five Star Magic is a product from our advertiser NAF

(ADVERTISEMENT)

What qualities does a top-horse need to perform at the top level?

How do you get a sensitive, stressed & unfocused horse to concentrate?

If I have a very sensitive horse, what should I think about during my everyday training?

What is your best advice for our readers regarding the training of a sensitive horses?

How do you work with very sensitive horses? What is your best advice?

How do I get a deeper connection with my horse?

– Q&A

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Check the latest news on our platforms
Receive our newsletter about the
daily life with horses in your inbox

Severo Jurado Lopez

– Q&A

1.

How do I get a deeper connection with my horse?

In my opinion it is important to make it easy for the horse. It has to be very simple for him to understand what is the right thing to do and what it is that the human wants. I do that with the right (& simple aids) and rewarding the horse. Never use two opposite aids in the same time, best example: Do not pull and kick. If I keep it simple, the communication is better. The horses almost always want to understand us, so if they do not, I have to think about my aids and body language. You will get a deeper connection, only when the communication is right. When the horse trusts you, but also when he knows that he has to listen to you carefully at all time.

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How do you work with very sensitive horses? What is your best advice?

2.

There are many different ways with sensitive horses. It is difficult to say it like this. It is very important to be a good equestrian and read your horse. If you understand why your horse is sensitive, you can decide what to do and adjust your training etc. When the horse is stressed about other horses, you can train this in specific. But if your horse is a little insecure and is stressing easily in new situations or competitions, it is important that the horse trusts you, but also trusts you as a leader. I am kind of saying to the horse "focus on me and follow my lead/aids and all will be ok". When I ride, my goal is always to have this special bond with my horse, to become like one. In that case, they only focus on me and not on any surroundings.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

What is your best advice for our readers regarding the training of a sensitive horses?

Find out why your horse is sensitive, and make sure it is not only playing with you. Work on the problems, and work on a better communication, but without putting the horse in a situation that he (& you) cannot handle. You want to do it step by step and with a positive outcome. Make the horse always focus on you.

If I have a very sensitive horse, what should I think about during my everyday training?

Do not think about the sensitivity or the problems. Because your body language will get tense and your riding stiff and afraid. Think about an exercise that you want to train today, and focus on that (it can only be a shoulder-in, but focus on the bending, on cadence and on softness instead of focusing on stiffness and sensitivity).

How do you get a sensitive, stressed & unfocused horse to concentrate?

I would keep the horse busy and with me by doing lots of different exercises, bending and tempi differences/transitions. Like this, the horse has too listen to me, and will eventually forget his surroundings.

Advertisement

What qualities does a top-horse need to perform at the top level?

They need to be self-confident, because then all the work gets easier.

(ADVERTISEMENT)

Why do you use Five Star Magic? What improvements do you see in your horses while using it? - Five Star Magic is a product from our advertiser NAF

Magic gives my horses the chance to calm down and focus on me faster. It helps them to concentrate without losing their spark or energy! For example, when I go to a competition and it is a big and crowded arena, we often only get 30 minutes to familiarize the horse with this place. It is great to get a little help from Magic in these moments, to be sure that the horse can focus on me, and does not put his mind somewhere else. I always have Magic with me as I want to give the horse good experiences when they go out to compete. Also, some horses are simply more nervous than others, and they need our extra help. I gave Fiontini NAF Instant Magic on our first day at the World Cup in Herning, and I was delighted with the results. Fiontini usually starts a little unfocussed but with Magic she was very concentrated from the beginning.

I also find horses are more trainable, and learn faster when they are concentrated and focused on me. The time spent training is also shorter, because we achieve our goal faster every day which also has a positive impact on the horses’ general health.

I also think it is super important that it does not make the horses tired. Because they need all their energy to perform, Magic only affects their mind.

When do you feel that your horses are deeply connected with you?

When the horse is fully focused on me, and every small detail and aid that I am giving. The horse (and I) forget everything around us - "it is only us". For me, dressage is all about a deep concentration. The exercises are of course difficult, but in my opinion the main thing to achieve is this deep concentration and full focus. This is what makes dressage so special and unique. And the feeling when you ride a test with "deep concentration" is definitely unique!

Do you have a set way of training all your horses?

All horses are very different in their character and personality (just like humans).

So, every horse has different needs, and I need to train every horse differently, and see them as individuals. If I can help a nervous horse making his days easier (training & competing) in a natural way (no doping etc), I would be stupid not to do it. Of course, the daily life is also very important (daily routine, paddock or field time...). It does not matter if you are a professional or an amateur rider, if your horse is nervous, it is nervous. I like to get as much out of my horses as possible, and I believe it is much easier if your horse is able to concentrate on you a 100 procent.

10.

What is so special about successful training, and a great partnership with your horse?

I think when the horse is concentrated and makes his "job" good he becomes proud of himself. Also, if I am happy with them, they are happy. If the training is difficult and stressful every day for a horse, the horse becomes sad. Only a happy horse can sparkle in the ring and give you this special feeling (to the rider and public).

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