Blog - Page 2 of 2 - Classical Dressage and Equine Biomechanics

September 30, 2018

“I’M AFRAID I’M GOING TO RUIN MY HORSE” and other things dressage riders say…

It’s a phrase I’ve heard on more than one occasion. I admit I’ve thought it at times too. Well, here’s the truth of it, right off the bat. If you are a thinking rider that is concerned about how your actions affect your horse, then chances are pretty good you will never “ruin” your horse. That doesn’t mean you won’t...

Classical Dressage/Learning Dressage

August 17, 2018

Ordinary Dressage…

Sparkling white breeches, white gloves and saddle pads, heaps of glittering “bling” on tack that has been scrubbed and polished, and don’t forget the impeccably groomed horse with perfectly uniform braids standing quietly at “A” awaiting their turn at stardom. Is this what comes to mind when you think of dressage? Hmmm, not me. Tonight I pulled up to the...

Classical Dressage/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

May 13, 2018

STIFF VS. HOLLOW Part III: The Hollow Side

This is the last in a series of three articles about Stiff vs. Hollow. In Part II we saw what happens when your horse is traveling in the direction where he feels stiff. Now we will look at the “hollow” side. Previously we learned that in the natural horse, the major component of balance usually follows the dominant side because...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

May 9, 2018

STIFF VS. HOLLOW Part II: The Stiff Side

This is the second in a series of three articles about Stiff vs. Hollow. In the first I explained why your horse feels different when moving in each direction, what to look for, and how to help correct it under saddle. When ridden, it is natural for the horse to shift his weight to the forehand, where he carries 60%...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

April 30, 2018

STIFF VS. HOLLOW Part I: Which side is which?

In this little series of three articles I’m going to delve into why your horse feels different when moving in each direction, what to look for, and how to help correct it under saddle. “Stiff” and “Hollow” are terms that describe what the rider feels when a horse is moving in a particular way. These terms are often used to...

Classical Dressage/Equine Biomechanics/Learning Dressage

February 24, 2018

DRESSAGE RIDER’S TRAINING PYRAMID

Most dressage riders know the Pyramid of Training based on the German Scale that outlines the training progression of the horse. It outlines the basic areas that create the foundation for the training of the dressage horse. The training progression of the rider is often a bit of a mystery however. Lessons focus on what the horse is doing, and...

Learning Dressage

January 1, 2018

CLASSICAL DOESN’T MEAN EASY

In the past few years, the term “Classical Dressage” has come to imply the use of methods that are very positive for the horse, while exuberantly excluding types of training deemed inhumane and forceful. When we think of classical riding we picture lovely horses in self-carriage, ridden with loose reins and no “gadgety” equipment that maintains the horse in a...

Classical Dressage/Learning Dressage

December 17, 2017

5 THINGS TO MAKE YOUR DRESSAGE LESSONS WORK MORE FOR YOU

Many riders spend years and a substantial amount of money taking lessons, only to become discouraged because they are not “making any progress”. Other riders might only lesson once in a while but seem to continually advance. What is the difference? From an instructor’s perspective, there are 5 things you should do to get the most out of your lessons:

Learning Dressage