There are a few basic elements that without, you won’t get very far. Anything you try to accomplish without them will topple down under examination like a house of card. They are rhythm and relaxation. They are the building blocks of anything you might ever want to do with a horse. Rhythm allows for the body to be loose, work efficiently, recieve good circulation, be straight, and later, to bend. Relaxation allows the horse to find a safe frame of mind to learn in, and with both of these they can perform without tension or fear. The order in which I prioritize these two basic elements depends on the horse, but I find myself returning to these elements day in and day out because they mean everything to the horse.