Internal Discipline:
This is the discipline that sets your alarm at 6am and actually gets you up at 6 am and off to the gym and then you do the 3 sets of 12 reps of those strengthening exercises.
External Discipline:
This is the discipline that the gym’s trainer exerts when he or she counts out all 12 reps and then starts you on the second and then the third set.
Lou Denizard’s Discipline
Lou does not count out reps or shout above the booming gym music “ten more” or “come on, step it up now” Nope. Dressage discipline is much more subtle than that. He puts poles on the arena floor and various exercises have to be completed within the confines of those ground poles. The most recent of these was poles for the Intermediare 1 Zig Zag movement. If you are not familiar with it here is how it goes. You have picked up the right lead canter and …
- 1) Turn down centerline at A
- 2) half pass right 5 meters
- 3) straighten and flying change to left lead.
- 4) half pass left 10 meters
- 5) straighten and flying change to right lead.
- 6) half pass right five meters
- 7) straighten and flying change to left lead
- 8) At C track left.
Lou knows I struggle with this movement so he devised some pole visuals to help me. Here are the poles laid out for me.
The poles are the external discipline. I half pass right and then at the pole that is parallel to the long side of the arena I straighten and flying change to the left lead. Then following the next set of poles I half pass left. I cannot make the half pass less steep, I cannot make my flying change anything but straight because there is a pole there! I have to immediately start my half pass left or Biasini will have to hop over the poles.
Here is a video of me working through the exercise with the discipline of the poles. This is by no means perfect and there are many elements I can improve but this discipline of the poles give me a visual and it helps me to hit my marks in time to complete the exercise with time to straighten, organize and carry on to the next movement.
Although I find the pole discipline difficult I like it because it give a clear visual and just like the gym’s trainer it forces me to Do It Now!
HorseAddict 
“Don’t panic, don’t panic”….Oh, that would so-o-o-o be me!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all have those moments!š
LikeLike
Wow that is fantastic! I think the poles would throw me off more than help. Haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
They might or might not. You’d have to try it and see. Thanks for commenting!
LikeLike
Anne, I always enjoy your posts, but the videos bring living color to them!!! Love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jeff. I very much appreciate your reading and watching.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was interesting to watch. Is the video something that you would refer back too, or was it more to explain it to us?
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit of both. I like to have video so I can see if what I am feeling is what is actually happening and what I need to do to improve or what is happening that I am not aware of in my position on the horse. Also the video helps to give a visual to readers who are not familiar with the zigzag. Thanks for asking this question!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, that makes complete sense to me. I understood immediately what I got out of watching, but interesting to hear how watching would be helpful to you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i love the idea of “external” discipline. i’d never thought of poles (or in other cases, jumps) using that exact terminology, but it helps clarify my thoughts on how tangible fixed obstacles can make clear to the horse what our aids might otherwise muddle, or help give us physical landmarks for guidance, etc.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes indeed. Thank you for reading and for taking the time to leave this comment.
LikeLike
Discipline is a lot easier when you are enjoying it all – looks nice and warm there too! I like the light roof of the training area.
LikeLiked by 2 people
AH! Your artists eye caught the light in the arena. The roof is made of fabric and allows light in but keeps the heat of the sun off and also rain if there is any. It is warm and I am delighted to be here with this beautiful arena and nice footing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That looks so difficult. I’ve never gotten to that level of dressage. I’m glad the poles help give you a visual, so fun to see you work on this with your video! ā¤ļøš“š
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for commenting Diana. In glad you found it interesting to see the video.
LikeLiked by 1 person