Balance
Relaxation
Mobility
Elasticity

My program is aimed at all horse riders and owners who are genuinely interested in delving more deeply into training methods, and who are willing to work on their own abilities. Equally, it is open to all horses, irrespective of breed, age or training level.

It is particularly suitable for trainers, because the concept is extremely logical and didactically clear, as well as being completely oriented towards the horse itself. Despite this systematic structure, the training is always adapted to the individual horse, which allows horse and rider to solve their problems very effectively and experience real progress. Passionate dressage riders who are seeking support to advance their work are also more than welcome.

Since the emphasis is on the satisfaction and health of all individuals involved, training routines are selected according to the physical and mental characteristics of horse and rider.

Offers on site at Gronauer Hof, Bad Vilbel:
!! No external clinics or riding lessons !!

• Riding lessons on your horse
• Staying as a guest rider with your horse
• Work in hand and on the lunge with your horse
• Demonstration and explanation of the system with my horses

Lectures, evening theory sessions, presentations of books and films: upon request

Films & Learning Material

Methodically, I’ve decided to focus on the Franco-Iberian school of lightness, which is perfectly adapted to the physical condition of the horse and whose didactic qualities are outstanding. Lightness is a crucial factor from the very start. In this context, the controversial Frenchman François Baucher (1796–1873) plays a very important role: he was far ahead of his time and can be considered one of the founding fathers of osteopathy in the training of horses.

In the meantime, the disciplines of medicine, physiotherapy, biomechanics and science have come up with various validations of his work. His clear approach is perfectly adapted to equine behaviour. Provided that you can apply it correctly, his method is especially oriented towards the well-being of the horse.

Some of the principles of his work are:

• Legs without hand, and hand without legs (for clarity of aids)
• Relaxation before impulsion (for suppleness)
• Position before action (for balance)
• Flexion of the mouth and jaw (key to relaxation)
• Creation of the correct transversal rotations, a precondition of collection
• Working step by step – from what is easy to what is difficult (for quality)

Since 1997, proceeding from this approach has enabled me to restore the health of various horses and to keep them healthy well into old age.

Lusitano Marialva, 25 years old, school gallop in work at hand

Accompaniment of horse and rider

According to the principle of working in a “horse-centric” way, the needs and requirements of the horse have to be at the core of all decisions. The horse is at out mercy; we are responsible for its well-being. If an aim set by the rider or demanded by a dressage competition is harmful to the horse, this is a far cry from meaningful training. I offer to accompany riders who set great store by training and advancing their horses in positive ways.

While schooling a horse, we cannot explain to it that what we are doing in this particular moment chiefly concerns the rider. This is why I always try to adapt the training to the concerns of the horse, so that it is not disturbed by the learning situation of its rider. Of course, this does not mean that the rider does not get the space they need to learn; in the long run, the progress of the rider is essential to the well-being of both horse and rider.

Lusitano Finito, aged 4 years, at the beginning of his schooling:
His muscles are flat, and he moves in a horizontal and thrusting manner, pushing forward. This becomes apparent in how he keeps his neck as well as his ribcage quite low, pushing his body over the forehand.

Lusitano Finito at the age of 9 after 5 years of schooling:
Particularly in the areas of the neck, the withers, the back and the croup he is strongly muscled. His movements incline towards the vertical and are characterised by an upwards thrust. His entire front is raised and he no longer pushes his body over the forehand.