Equine Biomechanics Archives

June 1, 2021

HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN A DEEP SEAT SADDLE

Many people like a deep seat saddle with thigh blocks because it gives a sense of security and stability. Some say it puts you in the correct position. Others say it puts you in the wrong position. As usual there is a correct way and an incorrect way of sitting in any saddle. But there are some characteristics about a...

Classical Dressage/DRESSAGE/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 7, 2021

THREE TRAINING METHODS & YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE

THREE TRAINING METHODS – YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE ©C. Curley – Effective Equestrian, LLC 2020 Update: This is a re-write of my recent article titled “Three Gold Medalists”. When I published the article, I was warmly supported by my colleagues and friends, but also seriously retaliated against by those associated with some of the methods below. ...

Classical Dressage/DRESSAGE/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 6, 2021

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY IS FALSE

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY OF DRESSAGE IS FALSE ©C. Curley – Effective Equestrian, LLC 2020 The bow and string theory of raising the back of the horse has been around a long time. I do not know who first used this visual. At face value I can see how it may have been used to illustrate the perceived change...

Classical Dressage/DRESSAGE/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

August 9, 2020

Today I Rode in ROLLKUR

Yes. Me, super classical, anti-BTV, anti-Rollkur advocate. I did it, literally for a total of about 30 seconds. I wanted to see firsthand what riders feel to make them think it is so great. Lightning will probably strike me down and I pray my horse forgives me. But I learned something. OK, let me back up a bit. I’ve been...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

May 26, 2020

DRESSAGE FRAME BASICS: A MATTER OF PERCEPTION Part 1: The Natural Horse

The perception of what is correct in dressage is an acquired eye. Most of the postures that trainers, riders, and judges see as acceptable, are in fact faulty. I don’t like the word frame because it implies a static stance. The posture of the horse is constantly changing and should be evaluated as a kinematic system, not a snapshot in...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

June 23, 2019

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know Some dressage riders look like they are doing absolutely nothing while their horses dances lightly across the arena. There’s a lot that goes into a performance like that, but one huge key is the half-halt. The elusive half-halt has caused more confusion and angst for the dressage rider than almost nothing else. ...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

April 21, 2019

Intro Tests Explained

There is much more to the introductory tests in dressage than riding a few lines and 20-meter circles. As with all dressage tests, they are designed so that the execution of the patterns demonstrates the correct training principles for a horse at that level. In other words, it’s not the patterns you are being tested on, it’s the underlying principles...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 28, 2019

WHAT DRESSAGE RIDERS CAN LEARN FROM JUMPERS

Anyone who knows me understands I’m pretty hard-core classical dressage and believe that dressage with correct bio-mechanics is the foundation for any and all disciplines. But I also know that each discipline has their own nuances, both good and bad, that can be learned from. A typical jump course lasts a few minutes, and there is only a few seconds...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 20, 2019

Synchronize with the Natural Movement

When the horse walks or trots, its spine moves from side to side in a snake-like motion as each step pushes energy up the horses back. The diagonal pattern of the gait transfers the thrust from the push phase of the gait up one side of the horses back and then the other. The energy flows through the muscles like...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

June 18, 2018

What’s in a warm-up?

Most riders who work their horses regularly have a set routine for warm-up. Others may not follow any routine or minimize warm-up and go straight to working. Still others may not really know what to do or how to effectively ride a warm-up. Understanding the purpose of the warm-up for both horse and rider may give you a perspective on...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

Blog

Category: Equine Biomechanics

HOW TO PROPERLY SIT IN A DEEP SEAT SADDLE

THREE TRAINING METHODS & YOU DECIDE WHAT IS BEST – A RE-WRITE

THE BOW AND STRING THEORY IS FALSE

Today I Rode in ROLLKUR

DRESSAGE FRAME BASICS: A MATTER OF PERCEPTION Part 1: The Natural Horse

5 Things about Half-Halt You May Not Know

Intro Tests Explained

WHAT DRESSAGE RIDERS CAN LEARN FROM JUMPERS

Synchronize with the Natural Movement

What’s in a warm-up?