When a horse has all four hooves leave the ground at the same time, it is an impressive feat of athleticism and grace. This phenomenon, known as the “levade” or “airs above the ground”, is a skill that takes a great deal of training, practice, and skill to master. This article will explore what it means for a horse to have all four hooves leave the ground at once, as well as the history and purpose of the levade.
History of the Levade
The levade has been practiced since the Renaissance in Europe, when it was part of classical riding. During this time, the levade was used as a show of strength and agility for horsemanship competitions. It was also used to demonstrate the power and control of the rider over the horse.
The levade has since become an important part of dressage, a form of competitive horseback riding. In dressage, the levade is used as a way to show the horse’s obedience and to demonstrate the rider’s skill.
Training to Master the Levade
The levade is a difficult skill to master, and it takes a great deal of practice and training to get it right. The horse must be trained to understand the commands that the rider is giving and to obey them. The rider must also be able to coordinate their body movements with the horse’s and to have complete control over the horse.
The first step in training a horse for the levade is to teach the horse to “collect” itself, which means to bring its hind legs closer to its front legs. This will help the horse gain the strength and balance needed for the levade. The horse should also be taught to move into a “frame”, which means to raise its head, neck, and back to maintain balance and control.
Once the horse has learned to collect and frame itself, the rider can begin teaching the horse how to do the levade. The rider will start by asking the horse to rise up on its hind legs and then slowly shifting the horse’s weight onto its front legs. As the horse gains strength and control, the rider can ask the horse to rise higher and higher until all four hooves are off the ground.
Benefits of the Levade
The levade is not only an impressive feat of athleticism and grace, but it also has many practical benefits for the horse and rider. The levade helps the horse to build strength and balance in its hind legs and core muscles. It also helps the rider to gain better control and balance over the horse.
The levade can also be used as a way to teach the horse how to move in certain ways. For example, the levade can be used to teach the horse how to sidepass, pivot, and other movements that can be used in dressage competitions.
Common Mistakes with the Levade
The levade is a difficult skill to master, and it is easy to make mistakes if the horse and rider are not properly trained. Some common mistakes that can occur include:
1. Not Collecting the Horse
If the horse is not properly collected, it will not have the strength or balance to perform the levade.
2. Not Framing the Horse
The horse must be able to frame itself in order to maintain balance and control.
3. Asking the Horse to Rise Too High Too Quickly
The horse must be gradually trained to rise higher and higher until all four hooves are off the ground. Asking the horse to rise too high too quickly can be dangerous and can lead to injury.
4. Not Following Through with the Command
The rider must always follow through with the command given to the horse in order to ensure that the horse understands the command and is able to perform the levade correctly.
Conclusion
A horse with all four hooves off the ground at the same time is an impressive feat of athleticism and grace. It takes a great deal of training, practice, and skill to master the levade. The history, purpose, and benefits of the levade have been discussed, as well as some of the common mistakes that can be made. With patience and practice, the levade can be mastered and will be a great addition to any rider’s repertoire.