Enjoy!
What is Légèreté? Well, in simplest terms, it is “lightness.” That is the direct translation from the French. But in every language, there are shades of meaning and multiple definitions. This is why I feel very fortunate to study Légèreté with a Frenchman who can teach not only the fundamentals but also the cultural depth and detail of a very old French concept.
Légèreté (pronounced le???te) is an ideology that seeks the greatest result from the smallest request. When applied to horsemanship, it is the process of completely educating the horse to the point where even the smallest aid is completely understood and given generous response from the horse. How does this differ from the mainstream? The depth and detail of the educational process for both horse and rider is infinitely greater. Légèreté also completely rejects any force or artificial mechanisms (side reins, draw reins, martingales, gag bits,etc.)
Without drowning in the details, we first educate the horse to the bit from the ground, teaching the horse not only to simply flex the poll (like one would bend the elbow) but fully engage the bit by lifting it with the tongue and releasing the jaw by softly chewing. This is like the function of using the wrist and the fingers as opposed to only the elbow. This ensures that the reaction to the bit is an accepting one and that the horse remains relaxed and alert to the working of the bit. Add flexions and varying positions of the neck and you develop lightness to the hand.
The horse and rider are then educated on going freely forward from the leg without nagging or running. Responding to the isolated leg is next so the horse clearly understands forward versus sideways when it comes to aids of the legs. This is lightness to the leg.
Balance, flexibility, mobility and collection are developed from this foundation. And at the very center of Légèreté is respect for the horse. This is why the education is so vital. The horse deserves nothing less than a clear and respectful approach to being ridden and schooled. An approach that is beneficial both physically and mentally for horse and rider.
^ by Linda Kaye Hollingsworth-Jones of Willow Grove Ranch - who published this to a public audience on FB 
Nice explanation, though it might not make that much impact on someone who hasn’t actually seen the difference in how the horses move 
I train tres poids:lol:
[QUOTE=Scribbler;8638937]
Nice explanation, though it might not make that much impact on someone who hasn’t actually seen the difference in how the horses move :)[/QUOTE]
True.
Would love videos “With Legerete” and “Sans Legerete”
As little as possible…as much as necessary.
[QUOTE=csaper58;8639511]
True.
Would love videos “With Legerete” and “Sans Legerete”[/QUOTE]
Just look Philippe Karl’s videos for “with Légèreté”.
And according to PK, everything else is not with it.
I’m not particularly fond PK’s ideology.
[QUOTE=alibi_18;8639712]
Just look Philippe Karl’s videos for “with Légèreté”.
And according to PK, everything else is not with it.
I’m not particularly fond PK’s ideology.[/QUOTE]
You know alibi_18, I tend to agree. I don’t drink anybody’s Koolaid.
With that said I tend to take some of his techniques and throw others to the curb. (same with the Henriquets).
What i do like, however, is the time spent on strengthening the horse’s hind end so that he sits. Of course the method prescribed takes time but it is a good method.
The flexions and in-hand work prescribed I already do and have done well before the PK methods were published.
Also I tend to like the method of encouraging the horse to reach for the bit. Although I think maybe a little too much time may be spent on it in the PK method. This can be debated however just my opinion.
(with my gelding I had to undo his tendency to curl and be BTV as he was ridden primarily in draw reins before I got him) Here is the start of my results with my guy - mind you we have a long, long way to go!!!
You know alibi_18, I tend to agree. I don’t drink anybody’s Koolaid.
Mais non!
:eek::lol:
[QUOTE=Crockpot;8639852]
Mais non!
:eek::lol:[/QUOTE]
Hey Crock - how are you today!!!
