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We have connection!

Auf Deutsch, es ist Anlehnung.   Aber auf Englisch, es ist 'Connection.'

A little bit gets lost in translation.  A little bit more gets lost in implementation.  

On the translation front 

A quick search online and for Anlehnung you can now find: (= Imitation) following (an jdn/etw sb/sth)   ⇒ in Anlehnung an jdn/etw following sb/sth (That's interesting because good hands are following hands....)
For me, a particularly telling definition can be found (now at  http://www.dict.cc/?s=anlehnung): to look for support from sb./sth.  Specifically, support is a different thing than connection.  Years ago I was able to find an architectural reference that implied Anlehnung is also about providing support - specifically the ability to lean on something.  AKA a buttress.

This change in translation can provide a change in the concept. 

On the implementation front

This often gets presented as a physical thing.  

As an alternative to many of the traditional physical approaches, in Centered Riding, we teach something we refer to as the Buttress which allows for the horse to find us, the rider, in our balance and stability.  When we are buttressed, we are pretty much glued onto the horse; however, we are not pulling or pushing on the horse, nor are we seeking the horse.  We allow the horse to find us in our centeredness.  We are like a beacon inviting the horse into its own balance, stability, centeredness, and wholeness.

Connection with a horse is a bit like connecting with a cat.  You can chase after it, but it won't work so well.  If you attract it, it will play out ever so much better.

The Buttress from Centered Riding is about attracting the connection.

I'd like to suggest that Connection/Anlehnung also encompasses a psychological component - a connection through communication which is developed by listening to the horse. 

For contrast, I have seen folks 'working' with horses and thought, 'Why are they even attempting that?  That horse is about to deck them.'  They're worried about a canter pirouette or maybe just getting around a corner or making it to 'X' and the horse is thinking 'Just wait...  just wait....  any second now I can get them off my back...'  Or it's rolling its eyes 'screaming' 'Good Heavens!!!  What in the world do you want???'   There is a definite lack of connection there.  The lines are severed.  The rider may somehow have moved the body around the arena in approximation to what they want, but the horse's mind is not beneficially engaged.

I got in a horse a few years ago and her pretty much constant rant was 'Die you mother DIE!'  I also had another horse that came in with the attitude of 'Excuse me? You think I'm going to do *that?* for *you?* HA!'  And another that vacillated between 'Don't hit me!' and 'OMG I'M GOING TO DIE!'   All of these horses were considered to be trained.  But in my book, these are all kind of deal breakers where connection is concerned and placed them all pretty much in the 'barely-green-broke' bucket.  

When these deal breaker responses are the immediate response from the horse regardless of what you're asking it to do, this is the top priority.  They are telling you they don't want to play.  And that doesn't fly so well if you're sitting on top of them.  Manhandling a horse like this into a physical "connection" will not only not work, it'll probably re-enforce their already unlovely attitude.   You're in a pit and digging it deeper.  Stop now!  Instead, dial into your horse and listen to what they're saying.  It is my belief that the reins are for listening to your horse.

Any time you ask your horse for something, what you want to hear back from your horse is something like:

• you bet
• sure
• I'll give it a go
• Here's what I can do; was that it?

You know this is what they're saying when they attempt to do what you asked.  They may not achieve what you asked, but that's ok.  The most important thing is that they heard you and they responded in a positive manner.

If you aren't getting this kind of response, it's important to listen to the horse anyway, understand the context of the message, and respond appropriately.  This is how you develop the psychological connection - the mind-meld aspect of riding, and how you get the "You bet!" responses you want.  You want your horse to know you accurately hear them and that you have a fair reply.  This is what builds their trust and confidence in you, creates the connection, the bridge, the mental buttress where they know they can rely on you for assistance.

This is not about watching the horse's ears - by the way.  This is about considering the response of the entire horse.  

Also, "fair" can change from day to day, so while I've put some ideas here, always consider them in the context of what your horse is telling you.

There are, for sure, a lot more things your horse could be saying to you!  When you get used to listening, you will hear more.  As you hear more, you'll develop responses more finely tuned to the conversation at hand.  
Your reward is the day when your horse goes "I'm not sure I can...."  and you say "I believe in you!" and your horse goes "I'll do my best then!"

If you try it, let me know how it goes!  And if you'd like some hands on, call me up for a lesson.  

Books: Amazon Assoc. / Old Favs

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"The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities." 

~ James Allen