LEVEL 3 - REFINEMENT
This addresses the flexion system and further develops impulsion. It brings mental, emotional and physical fitness to new levels in both you and your horse. Perhaps the greatest challenge arrives in the form of influencing your horse while maintaining vertical flexion.

This vertical flexion means you have reached a point in your horse's development (and yours) where the prerequisites of respect and impulsion are in place. That means your horse is going to do what you ask with respect (no argument) with impulsion (when you asked, no more, no less, not under-doing, not over-doing) and flexion (a Soft Feel and some degree of vertical flexion) This vertical flexion also increases your horse's power through engagement of the hindquarters.

Please note that Level 3 Refinement is still part of the foundation, albeit the top end. This means that you're not going to be asking for "competition-level" vertical flexion with full engagement of the hindquarters. You are teaching your horse the concept of vertical flexion and the confidence to hold it through some simple maneuvers. It's more a mental and emotional state than anything else. The physical shape is less important to get 100% "correct" at this stage.

You will learn how to feel what your horse's feet are doing when you move forwards, backwards and turn, so you can influence them at strategic times to orchestrate his movements and maneuvers more easily. With this knowledge you can specifically influence your horse's feet through the reins freestyle as well as collected flying lead changes. Riding becomes the significant focus and culminates with maneuvers of such refinement and grace that horse and rider look like one with almost invisible aids.

In Level 3 you will explore the 3 speeds within each gait and experience loading your horse in a trailer at a distance of 45 feet at a canter. Many of the maneuvers in Level 3 directly relate to the basics of dressage, reining, cutting, and even barrel racing.

A second Carrot Stick is introduced in the Freestyle Riding Savvy, as well as Bareback Riding with a Cherokee Bridle.

In general you will learn how to do everything with more accuracy and finesse, in all Four Savvys, taking each one to a whole new level.