– Classical Foundation Training [CFT] requires 2 years to get to a point where a horse is moving consistently over it’s back if trained regularly without long periods of layup at least 3 to 4 days/week.

– A horse trained this way will have the greatest chance to live a life free of physical and emotional trauma as a result of the training process.

– A 2-year timeline goal may be unrealistic for horses that have physical ailments/injuries or mental states caused by historically poor training methods.

– CFT is not a ‘trick’ that can be layered over ‘modern’ dressage/other training methods (rollkur, crank/spank, slowing the horse down, etc.). CFT does not mix well with other training methods at least until the horse is strong enough over its back from regular long term stretching and slow gymnastic development. Beyond the 2 year minimum, the technical systems of training already established across the world to learn to go to the higher levels of any discipline may be incorporated from modern training systems in the rider’s local environment. This assumes the horse is able to stretch regularly throughout a training session and is not bullied into working without a stretch break whenever the rider (or hopefully the trainer) senses the horse is losing impulsion or relaxation.

– Saddle fit is critical to the correct development of the horse. An incorrectly fitted saddle will make it difficult for the horse to engage, create discomfort for the horse and will hinder the horses progress. It can reduce the riders effectiveness and make it very difficult to ride with a whisper of the aids. It is imperative that the gullet plate is shaped in both width and angle to match the shoulder angle (not the wither angle) for maximum freedom of movement, length of panel to stay within the horses saddle support area, and a channel width which allows for flexibility and suppleness of the spine.  These are a few of the important aspects of saddlefitting that will either encourage your horse to lift its back or to force it to hollow its back.

– The rider needs to educate themselves on the correct shoeing of the horse. Farriers are being influenced by fads in the marketplace – be forewarned and advocate for your horse once you have educated your eye to correct angles specific to your horse’s conformation (e.g., the lateral angle of the front hoof should match the shoulder angle and the hip angle for the hind feet).

– Avoid over-correcting the head position until the horse is over it’s back

– Don’t worry about the placement of the shoulders as this will be addressed as the topline is developed