Rider in Balance
"All paces and movements require that both horse and rider learn to move together with a natural 'flow' and balance." (Master the Balance and Master the Horse) - Jenny Rolfe "The position of efficient balance, on or off the horse, is the position of good posture." (Tools for Riding in Balance) - Beth Glosten, M.D. "The balance of the head is especially important because of the muscle structures that runs down a rider's back. If your head is not properly balanced the back cannot relax and stay soft in order to absorb the movement in the horse's back." (Strengthen Your Postion) - Judith Cross - Strehlke "Balance is created by 3 main systems working together: Vestibular (the canals of the inner ear that respond to movements), Visual (keeping your eyes in line with the horizon), and Proprioceptive (nerves provide feedback about movements and positons of joints)." (Balance for Riders) - Anne Howard | Understanding
"The movements and exercises we ride should never be considered to be ends in themselves, but they are a means to an end. They all have certain effects on the horse's gaits and can be used to improve the horse by suppling, straightening, balancing, connecting, and strengthening him." (Dressage Movements: A Means to an End) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Done correctly, the half halt stimulates the horse's abdominal muscles, causing the back to be lifted and allowing an increased range of motion for the hind leg." (Half- halt Insights) - Sarah Martin "Dressage is a systematic method of training the horse and as any other system must have a means of encouraging the desired behavior and discouraging the undesired." (Concepts of Learning) - Arlene Rigdon "Every horse feels different to ride, depending on conformation, natural sensitivity and the way it has been ridden or trained. A wonderful way to (further) improve and develp feel in the rider is to ride as many different horses as possible." (Developing Feel in Dressage Riding) - Sandra Hotz | The Biomechanics
"Dr. Heuschmann thoroughly explained the muscles and structure of the horse's back, neck, and hind end to show how a horse is able to carry a rider." (Tug of War: Highlights of a Clinic with Dr. Gerd Heuschmann) - Dawn Fisher "The humerus is profoundly multi-functional. The flexibility and lightness of this area helps the forehand elevate and allows greater maneuverability in the advanced movements." - The Correct Elevation of th Forehand) - Holly Mason "The internal oblique and deep muscles of the back can move the spine in all directions as well as stabilize the spine in neutral alignment. A rider with awareness and strength in these muscles of the torso is able to stay in good posture and balance on the moving horse ..." ( A Rider's Training Scale) - Beth Glosten, M.D. "While the hocks are the most visible joints of the hind legs....they are not really the decisive ones, as they are not surrounded by large muscle groups. The real "movers and shakers" in the haunches are the hip and stifle joints, since they are the ones that are embedded in powerful muscles." (Balance) - Dr. Thomas Ritter |
"The best riders always remain students, no matter how far they advance in their own riding..." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal February 2008 Issue / Goals By Dr. Thomas Ritter |
Horse in Balance
"In traditional terms, a balanced horse has to carry as much weight with his hind legs as with his front legs. He also must carry as much weight on the left side of his body as the right side. He must furthermore care as muchas he thrusts." (Balance) -Dr. Thomas Ritter "It would be an over- simplification to say that correct balance is everything (it is really only the beginning), but it is safe to say that without it, nothing else can occur. (The Importance of the Lower Levels) - Arlene Rigdon "How can the rider gain control over the hind legs? That depends on the horse and rider. Main considerations are the straightness as well as the ratio of thrust to carriage of the hind legs, in other words: balance." (Balance: Thrust vs. Carriage) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Lateral balance, or that balance that exists between one side of the horse and the other, is often neglected. I believe that this balance is misunderstood, and that many commonly taught training methods actually work against the establishment of lateral balance of the horse." (Lateral Balance) - Arlene Rigdon | Communication
"Truly listening to your horse and looking for any barriers to effective communication is hard work. It is much more difficult than just giving more forceful aids a second time, but the rewards are great.....This more effective way of communicating with my horse led to a more "playful" approach to training." (Knowledge Speaks, but Wisdom Listens) - Gigi Nutter "The horse, being a creature of great sensitivity would prefer that our communications were often LESS rather than MORE." (Learning the Power of Our Breathing) - Jenny Rolfe "There are many levels at which you may communicate with your horse, physcially, emotionally and spiritually. The moment you sit on your horse's back, none of those forms of communication speaks louder than the physical." (Tai Chi For Equestrians) - James Shaw "'The horse talks to you,' Egon von Neindorff used to tell us in lessons. It is up to us to listen and to try to understand what he is saying to us." (Teaching and Learning Feel) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Your horse is the final authority in matters of riding. If he tells you it's working, it is." (The Ultimate Gift) - Elaine Cornell | Education
"When we first attempt to acquire a new motor skill, we have better success when we do things slowly and deliberately, with great focus and motivation." (understanding Brain Function in Learning and Teaching Feel) - Lynne Sprinsky "The USDF "L" dressage judge training program was a fascinating experience for me. I encourage dressage enthusiasts to audit or participate in this highly educational program." (Trot Triangles) - Ivetta Harte "The clinician usually has only one or two lessons to try to help the rider and horse per weekend... A good clinician gives the participants some important basics that they can take away with them." (The Aisle Way) Linda Landers "By proceeding in this fashion, the horse becomes our teacher and allows us a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of his mind and body..." (The Thinking Rider) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "A good instructor can help point the way but it is ultimately up to us to find and follow our path. We spend far too much time, energy and money in this dressage journey not to make the most of our lessons." (Getting the Most Out of Your Lessons) - Maribeth Wells |
"One of the goals of dressage is to recreate the natural beauty of the horse's gaits under the rider..." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - January 2007 Issue / The Balanced Seat By Dr. Thomas Ritter |
The Rider
"When I get on a horse, I want to improve myself each time, too." (Setting Goals for Success) - Jana Wagner "A productive traing ride requires complete focus from the rider." This is not always an easy state of mind. Work stresses, family needs, and other responsibilities can conspire to divide attention and leave you thinking about many things during your ride. This lack of focus can be perceived by the horse as lack of clear leadership." (A Rider Training Scale) - Beth Glosten, M.D. | The Sport Horse & Rider
"The difference between high level Western riding and dressage is conceptually very similar - the job descriptions are different, but require many of the same skill sets." (Creativity & Loving the Process) - Holly Mason "Equestrians are very busy and it's good to have a system. Plan and have structure to your riding program. Be organized from your show schedule to your daily riding routine. Start with getting the proper training and the proper horse. Then set your goals and make your plan around that." (Eventing Questions Answered) - Mike Huber | Rhythm
"First we must start at Training level. Having properly followed the training scale, our horses have solidified rhythm, suppleness, and contact." (The Extended Gaits) - Rebecca Rigdon "The main cause of destroying rhythm is by the reins." (Questions on Rhythm Answered) - Jana Wagner "If the rhythm is too fast to begin with, as is so often the case in mis guided attempts to ride "forward", then the horse begins with the balance tipped to the forehand..." (Balance: The Bottom Line) Arlene Rigdon |
| "Perfecting the half halt is part of every rider's routine, from the world class trainer to the starter rider. None of this is remedial..." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - October 2006 Issue /Half Halt Insights
By Sarah Martin
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Fitness
"Riders must be able to balance these two to achieve the cadence and rhythm that dressage movements require. A weak rider is not able to produce that balance since a horse is typically ten times stronger than the rider." (Riding for All Ages) - Melonie Kessler "In my experience, as a rider and a teacher, I have repeatedly seen the benefits of cross training for a rider wanting to improve their skills." (Staying Fit to Ride) - Sarah Martin "As already mentioned, flexibility is an injury preventative. Muscles and tendons around a joint that are developed for strength without regard to flexibility are fenerally prone to sprains or tears. Conversely, a strong but flexible joint status allows for powerful movements with a lessened possiblility for damage." (Stretching and Flex-Ability for Horse & Rider) - Karen Everhart, M.Ed "Fitness is a critical element in the success of every human athlete. Where dressage riders err and err greatly is in their failure to recognize that the equestrian sport is a significant athletic endeavor and that we cannot accomplish our maximum potential if we do not possess a certain degree of coordinated strength and flexibility." (Ride for Life) - Amy Larson | Training Techniques & Training Exercises
"It takes about six months or more to tone up muscles. That is a reason why it is so important to train correctly every day." (Correct Dressage Training) - Ivetta Harte "Riders must understand how to get the back up and use the exercises Dr. Heuschmann demonstrated to achieve the result of a relaxed, swinging back with pushing power." - Dawn Fisher "There are many exercises that you and your horse can practice that will help you perfect jumping around a full course of fences." (Using Poles to Improve Your Jumps) - Ashley Duda Foster "An exercise that helps to increase engagement in the medium paces is transitions from lengthening trot on the long-side, or diagonal to the walk, or as that develops a medium trot to a halt with the additon of a rein-back...." (The Extended Gaits) - Rebecca Rigdon "Another way of alternating between carrying and thrusting is to ride sequences of shoulder-in and renvers, shoulder-in and haunches-in, counter shoulder-in and haunches-in, or counter-shoulder-in and renvers.." (Dressage Movements: A Means to an End) Dr. Thomas Ritter | Relaxation
"In order to be able to hear what the horse has to say, the rider has to be physically and mentally balanced and relaxed, but focused because only a relaxed body and mind are receptive." (Teaching and Learning to Feel) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Keeping your horse free from body armor starts on the ground. Remember that body armor is a blocking or hardening, mentally or physically to you and your aids." (Body Armor: Ground Work) - Kelly Walker "As a trainer, I can see a relaxed body. How can yu tell if a horse is relaxed? It shows in a swinging tail, swinging soft muscles over the neck and back, attentive ears going forward and back. I also look for responsiveness to the aids. These are all signs of a horse that is willing to work without tension." (Signs of a Happy Horse) - Jana Wagner "Tension in a horse may show up in a number of ways when he's ridden: shortened stride; balky or sluggish movement; poor swing of the hind legs (lack of engagement); resistence or inabliity to bend well; a hollow back; or high head carrage." (Tension Patterns in Performance Horses) - Carol O'Donnell Wilson |
"With gymnastic dressage exercises, horses can develop their symmetry, becoming straight" Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - April 2008 Issue /Correct Dressage Training & Solid Basics for the Showring
By Ivette Harte
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How Things Work
"When we first attempt to acquire a new motor skill, we have better success when we do things slowly and deliberately, with great focus and motivation." (Understanding Brain Function in Learning and Teaching Feel) -Lynne Sprinsky "When teaching a horse his first lengthenings, I usually ride them in posting trot..." (How to Lengthen the Stride) - Angel Ozer "Agility and power are not possible without good balance; therefore, movement must always be viewed with this fundamental principle in mind. It is not possible to lighten the forehand unless the hind leg can move under the center of gravity ..." (Breeding the Sport Horse) - Arlene Rigdon | Harmony
"The riders who seem to be in harmony with their horses have developed something called 'feel'" (Developing Feel in Dressage Riding) - Sandra Hotz "All gaits and movements require that both horse and rider learn to move together with a natural flow and balance." (Breathing: The Key to the Half-Halt) - Jenny Rolfe "Soft hands are a prerequisite to riding in harmony with your horse." (Encourage Harmony by Riding with Soft Hands) - Jane Savoie "When you ride, you are engaging in a holistic partnership with your horse." (The Alexander Technique as a Path to Harmony) - Constance Clare-Newman | Suppleness
"The purpose of Second Level is to show suppleness in the horse, both laterally, thus the shoulder-in, renver, ten meter tort and canter circles and longitudinally, the medium trot and canter..." (How to Ride a Second Level Test) - Angel Ozer "The definition of suppleness is the absence of resistance in the muscles and the body of the horse. By allowing the horse first to find his rhythm, then guiding him on curved lines 9serpentines, circles) to stretch and contract his body." (What are Dressage Basics) - Jana Wagner "The suppling effect of the shoulder-in lies not only in the lateral bend, which means that the horse is bent from ears to tail in the same way as on a circle, but also the bending of all the three main joints of the hind legs, i.e. hip, stifle and hock. - Simon Battram |
"Our favorite teachers were usually the ones that were the best communicators and carried on productive conversations with the class." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - September 2007 Issue Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens By Gigi Nutter |
Solutions
"When things go wrong and horses begin to misbehave, most riders search for the reason and the remedy outside themselves. The truth is that in most cases the solution lies within the rider and nowhere else." (Food for Thought) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Lameness is the number one reason you will miss a show or be excused from a class." (Lameness: Prevention & Management) - Paul Ryding, DVM "As you can see by the work so far, you must create the proper conditions for correct movement to take place and then you must allow it to happen. you cannot force the horse to swing under with the hind leg, because in doing so, yu would be creating stiffness that would make it impossible for him to do so." (Developing Forward Movement) - Arlene Rigdon | Creativity
"The best made freestyles enable a horse and rider to perform with apparent ease of movement, precisely matching tempos, effortless transitions from one movement to another and harmonious unity between two vastly different beings." (Would you like to Ride a Musical Freestyle?) - Deborah K. Dougherty "Unlike some riders, horses tend to like working in groups, since they are heard animals and as such are more comfortable in the company of other horses than by themselves." (The Importance of Riding in Groups) -Dr. Thomas Ritter "The next thing I will mention when choosing your music is, you must LOVE your music because you will listen to it a 'bazillion' times." (Fine Tuning Your Freestyles) - Angel Ozer | Connection
"When we sit on the back of a horse and take up the reins, the contact is not only between our hands and his mouth but also 'mind to mind.' If the horse accepts your leadership and trusts you, he will be more relaxed in his mind to become submissive to a contact." (Master the Balsnce and Master the Horse) - Jenny Rolfe "When the rider gathers the reins from free walk back to working walk, think of gathering the reins from the energy of the hindquarters, rather than gathering in the energy in front." (The Lena Wedenmark Clinic) - Susan Lang "Connection is an acceptance of the bit through acceptance of the aids." (Correct Dressage Training) - Ivetta Harte |
"The main cause of destroying rhythm is by the reins. Be careful about how much restriction the rider gives with his reins; it can either allow the horse to keep his natural rhythm or will cause the horse to start losing balance and the characteristic of the sequence of foot falls." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - September 2006 Issue - Questions on Rhythm in Dressage Answered by Jana Wagner
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Goals & Motivation
"I think that it's important for not just every child but every person to have a dream at some point in their life. It's a life experience to have a dream that you are chasing and doing your best to make it come true." (Pursuing Your Dreamse) - Philesha Chandler "One of the best ways to get motivated is to set some goals." (Motivation and Maintaining Momentum) - Maribeth Wells "No matter what issues arise in my hectic life, I have found that spending time with my horse makes everything all right. I am not the only one in my family that appreciates and enjoys the results of my horse habit either, I am a better mom and wife from it as well." (Collected Thoughts) - Kindra Wilson "Positive self -talk is a huge part of overcoming discouragement. Upon getting discouraged, we tend to dwell on it and feed it back to ourselves verbally and visually in a negative way." (Getting Past Discouragement) - Dawn Fisher | Dressage
"Our legs should hang in a relaxed manner, not with a fixing of the heel, but in the words of Nuno Oliveria, "have the feel of placing your foot into a carpet slipper." (Developing Feel in Communication - A look at the Rider)- Jenny Rolfe "I don't think there is a sport out there that keeps you more humble than dressage." - (Setting Goals for Success) - Jana Wagner "In order to be a successful Grand Prix rider one must be strong, have excellent stamina, be patient, and like their horse, have elegance and finesse. The amount of effort that goes into completing on Grand Prix test is staggering." (Riding Grand Prix) - Rebecca Rigdon "Learn to separate your aids, then learn to coordinate them, then learn to time them - this is the work of the true Masters in Dressage!" (Lateral Movements: Their Use and Development Though the Levels) - Sarah Martin | Impulsion, Energy, Forward & (Schwung)
"The goal of riding on the bit comes as a result of, first of all, riding the horse forward. The concept of riding the horse correctly forward is as follow: The thrust of the horse's hind leg moves along the supple body through the back, neck and into the bit - "connecting" the horse through the entire body from the back to the front ..." (Developing Forward Movement) - Arlene Rigdon "Energy is the prerequisite for impulsion, almost like a raw material." (Impulsion: Thrust, Energy Level, Impulsion) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "As you transition your horse to carrying more weight on his hind legs, you are taking the energy sent through the front of his body and shifting it behind the saddle." (Second Level) - Sarah Martin "Excellent riders encourage elasticity through the horse's back, which depends on a release through the neck and an engagement of the hindquarters." (The Alexander Technique as a Path to Harmony between Horse & Rider)
- Constance Clare-Newman
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"A productive training ride requires complete focus from the rider."
Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - October 2007 Issue
By Beth Glosten, MD |
Feel
"Feel, for the rider, is the ability to predict and interact with the horse's movements and behaviors as if able to read the horse's mind and body." (Ride in Balance:The Element of Feel)- Beth Glosten, M.D. "Feel in the rider depends on her ability to isolate muscle groups and be aware of the sensation of muscles relaxing and contracting." (Developing Feel in Dressage Riding)- Sandra Hotz There are varying stages of feel. Even some advanced riders do not have a faboulous feel." (How to Use 'Feel and Thought' to Improve Your Hunter Horse) - Ashley Duda Foster | Learning from History
"What makes Xenophon's work so remarkable is his concern for the horse's well-being. He is the first author who insists that the rider has to win his horse's friendship and willing co-operation, because otherwise the training will have very little value, aesthetic or otherwise." - Dr. Thomas Ritter "The first and most famous Arabian horse breeders were Bedouins, nomadic tribesmen ...." (The Arabian) - Arabian Horse Association "Equestrians who are unfamiliar with the history of classical dressage, may be surprised to know that classical dressage training and competition used to be one and the same thing." (Classical Dressage and Competitions) - Dr. Thomas Ritter | Straightness
"Only the straight horse can move forward, for deviations sideways are trips of the horse's leg away from the forward, straight track. To simplify - the horse cannot move forward if he is falling in or drifting out." (Lateral Balance) - Arlene Rigdon "With gymnastic dressage exercises, horses can develop their symmetry, becoming straight" (Correct Dressage Training) - Ivette Harte "Straightness as a part of the Training Scale means that the hind legs track in the same track as the corresponding front legs regardless of whether the horse is tarveling on a straight or curved line." (Riding Back-to-Front) -Deryn Stewart & Allyson Wilson
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"It is very important that the rider learns to use these aids as independently as possible..." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - April 2008 Issue /Showing Dressage & Building on the Levels
By Christine Rivlin
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Classical Dressage
"In the big scheme of things, it is not so important that the classically trained horse/rider combination always wins. It is far more important for the classically educated rider to represent his teachers and the classical heritage with dignity and integrity by riding well and placing the horse's well-being above all other considerations." (Classical Dressage and Competitions) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Classical Horsemanship is all about trying to establish a bond between ourselves and our horse, based on true harmony and balance." (Master the Balance and Master the Horse) - Jenny Rolfe "If we believe in the Classical System of training, which puts the well-being of the horse first and foremost then we must make an effort to become better riders." (Thoughts on the Classical Seat) - Gael Bourquin "When the great living masters of riding address the more advanced work in dressage they will often use the phrase, 'the correct elevation of the forehand'. (The Correct Elevation of the Forehand) - Holly Mason | The Journey
"Learning is a journey that really has no final destination, because there is just too much for any one person to learn in a single lifetime. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we enjoy this journey of discovery..." (Goals) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "The horse can be both teacher and pupil and on our journey of horsemanship we can seek to learn how to bring about better responses, awakening a deeper connection between man and horse..." Breathing Life Into Training - By Jenny Rolfe "I try to look at a negative behavior, or a challenging situation with my horses as a puzzle. It is my job to go beyond my human thoughts and psyche and put myself in the mind of my horse." (The Aisle Way) - Rebecca Rigdon "We have a wonderful gift, if we can be allowed to share the journey through life with our beloved horses. We not only learn more about the ways of a horse but also much more about ourselves." (Breathe Life into Training: Learning the Power of Our Breathing) - Jenny Rolfe "The best riders always remain students, no matter how far they advance in their own riding..." (Goals) - Dr. Thomas Ritter | Collection
"But what really has to happen physically to achieve collection? According to heuschmann, on e of the first things to be aware of are the verebrae in the neck....Our goal as riders is to create "positive tension" in the nuchal ligament (which triggers the long muscle in the back to rise) and get the "S" shape to become straighter. By doing this, we allow the important neck and back muscles to strengthen and carry our weight without tension." (Tug of War: Highlights of a Clinic with Dr. Gerd Heuschman) - Dawn Fisher "Try replacing the term 'Collection' with 'Elevation'. Understand that you and your horse are on an ascending scale." (Second Level) - Sarah Martin "You only can have extension when you have collection. To improve your extension it is necessary to work on and improve your collection." (Dressage Theory Lessons) - Jana Wagner "The value of the shoulder-in is that it's a collecting exercise... the inside hind leg has to bend more and cary more weight." (Questions Answered on the Shoulder-In Exercise) - Jana Wagner |
"Excellent riders encourage elasticity through the horse's back, which depends on a release through the neck and an engagement of the hindquarters." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal
March 2008 Issue /The Alexander Technique as a Path to Harmony between Horse & Rider
By Constance Clare-Newman
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Longe and Ground Work
"The correct work at the longe line helps the trainer to lead his horse into a state of mental collection, physical and psychological balance, and relaxation. it can be used to build stamina and to develop the proper musculature, but only if the general principles of training are observed, and if the trainer uses tact and intelligence." (Longeing) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "Theoretically you know that every little thing you do on your horse affects him. But how often do you give yourself uninterrupted time to work on your seat, without worrying about what your horse is doing?" (Applying the Alexander Technique to working on your seat on the longe.) - Constance Clare - Newman "If carriage driving is not your goal, ground driving is a wonderful tool to encompass into your training schedule. It allows the horse to work without weight on its back, and it allows you to see how your horse is moving." (Ground Driving: Before Putting a Horse to a Carriage) - Deryn Stewart "When your horse has suffered the stress ofillness or injury, lungeing is a wonderful tool to help him regain his fitness-level slowyly. (Let's Lunge Safely) - Gina Krueger | The Fundamentals & Basics
"We cannot train a horse if he is taught by instigating permanent fear. How can a horse perform fulid, forward movement with calm energy and joie-de-vivre, if he is highly charged with fear? " (Learning the Power of Our Breathing) - Jenny Rolfe "Longeing also forms the foundation of work in hand and long reining." (Longeing) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "One of the biggest mistakes a Grand Prix rider can make is solely focus on the difficult movements, such as piaffe and passage, and forget about schooling the basics." (Riding Grand Prix) - Rebecca Rigdon "Levels training through second mark the period of the basic training of the horse. If this foundation is correct and complete, the progression into the medium levels of third and fourth is smooth and painless." (The Importance of the Lower Levels) Arlene Rigdon "It is very important that the rider learns to use these aids as independently as possible..." (Building on the Levels) -Christine Rivlin
| The Dressage Movements
"The exercise of shoulder-in was originally accredited to the 18th century trainer, Francois Robichon dela Gueriniere, and its purpose was to promote suppleness, straightness and to further an already achieved level of collection." (The Shoulder-In) - Simon Battram "Keep your weight balanced over the center of your horse." (Four Tips to Improve the Leg Yield) - Jane Savoie "The quality of the gait (regularity of rhythm, tempo and stride length, lightness, evenness and steadiness of the rein contact, balance, alignment of the horse's hips and shoulders, bend, suppleness, impulsion, and collection) as well as the accuracy of the arena pattern must never be sacrificed when riding lateral movements." (Lateral Movements) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "In order to introduce your horse to the half-pass, he must be confirmed at all of the second level movements and is gaingin the strength needed for collection and self-carriage." (Introduction to the Half-pass) - Angel Ozer |
"Soft hands are a prerequisite to riding in harmony with your horse." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - March 2008 Issue Encourage Harmony by Riding with Soft Hands By Jane Savoie |
Horsemanship & Horse Management
"It makes sense, then, that we should also want to work in a beautiful environment." (Beauty and the Barn) - Elaine Cornell "Athletes generally perform the same, similar movements over and over again. Repetitive motion can cause the muscles to get stuck. The muscles can be developed to perform only in a certain restricted motion, and this causes limits outside of the range of motion. massage works to keep those muscles flexible and a full range of motion." (Equine Massage for the Performance Horse) - Jim Masterson "The best time to take pictures is in the hours just befroe and after sunrise and sunset. It can give you a softer feel in the picture creating more drama." (Tips to Take Better Photographs) - Jeanie Eaton "Marketing should not be a last minute thing. I fyou want to change your businesses image, or create one, don't wait until a month before breeding season to do it." (How to Correctly Market your Horse or Horse Business) - Suzy Brown "One thing that is often overlooked is the proper selection of tack, particularly the saddle, which is appropriate for both the horse and the rider." (The Elusive Saddle Fitting) - Daren Everhart, M.ed "Trying to follow as closely as possible a daily routine. Horses are creatures of habit and love having a predictable routine." (Ways I Keep My Horses Happy) - Vickie Sharp | The Horse
"The calm temperament of the Andalusian is one of the major characteristics ..." (The Andalusian) - Patrick Brennan "To retain this athleticism, stallions are not only inspected for conformation and gaits, they must also complete a performance test, mandated by the Goverment of Germany, required to maintain approval in North America." (The Trakehner) - Helen K. Gibble "The Lipizzan breed is named after the original stud farm near the village of Lipica in modern day Slovenia." (The Lipizzan Horse) - Dr. Thomas Ritter "The Lusitano has been selected for millennia as a riding horse and has marked the history of Horsemanship with his superb talent for the exercises of High School (now called "Dressage")..." (The Lusitano) - Jean - Philippe Giaconmini "Certainty doesn't exist in the world of horses; perfection is an elusive goal never attained. The best we can hope for in our pursuit of breeding sport horses is some measure of predictability..." (Breeding the Sport Horse) - Arlene Rigdon "The Cleveland Bay is a horse with a rich and interesting history. It also happens to be a horse that, a mere 40 years ago, was on the brink of extinction." (The Cleveland Bay) - Liia Becker "The Connemara Pony's ancestral home lies in teh western part of Ireland, known to modern tourists as Connemara, but historically called Connaught." (Background of the Conemara Pony) - Catherine Mack "They are named for the region or country in which they are bred, but, with the exception of the Trakehners, they are all intermixed." (Warmbloods & Warmbloods) - Elaine Cornell | Showing
"This rider is right in thinking that relaxation is her priority. When you're tense, your work can't be of as high a quality as when you're relaxed." (Conquer Horse Show Nerves) - Jane Savoie "Think of your test as a series of questions you will be asking your horse in front of a judge." (Tips for the Dressage Show) - Sarah Martin "Each person has a different learning style: visual, aural, verbal, physical, or logical. " (Tips for Memorizing Dressage Tests) - Ivetta Harte "You'll notice that each level builds on the previous levels requirements. Starting with good basics and the requirements for each level will help ensure that you are ready for each level." - Christine Rivlin "Stay Grateful: As I am preparing to enter the ring I think about all that I am grateful for..." (At the Dressage Show) - Jami Kment "Horse shows offer you the opportunity to test your skills, to test your horses' skills, to show off the progress you have made, and to compete ..." (Jump into Showing) - Ashley Duda Foster "The first thing is to be prepared at home. From all my experience, I can say that it will never happen that everything will suddenly become perfect at the show.... If you do not have your pirouette when schooling at home, it is unlikely that it will suddenly happen at the show during your test." (Advice for Showing) - Jana Wagner "Suppleness is another important aspect of Second Level, which requires that the horse be able to smoothly adnust their arriage both longitudinally and laterally (bend) without losing balance and throughness." (Are you Ready for Second Level) - Susan Lang |
"Just because the lower tests may appear simple to execute, don't be fooled into thinking it is easy to prepare the horse for them." "Levels training through second mark the period of the basic training of the horse."
Topline Ink Equestrian Journal - May 2006 Issue
The Importance of the Lower Levels
By Arlene Rigdon |
"Keep in mind that strenuous exercise on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best conditioned horse." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal
May 2006 Issue
Safe Conditioning - IInsight and Prevention
By Preston Hickman, DVM | "Any athlete (and a dressage horse is an athlete) must warm-up and stretch before he can perform to the best of his ability." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal
March 2006 Issue/ Ride a Dressage Test
By Angel Ozer | "Fitness is a critical element in the success of every human athlete." Topline Ink Equestrian Journal
May 2007 Issue/ Ride for Life
By Amy Larson |