~Ruth's Corner~
What is Muscle Memory? If you've ever worked on your posture or a set of aids for a movement on your horse, you've probably heard the words "muscle memory.” But what is this mysterious thing? Is it something real or just a part of dressage
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Most of the riders ride with their upper body very stiff – especially their shoulders. If the stomach is in balance and in the position it should be, the shoulders are allowed to relax, and should relax. You need to be loose in your shoulders. As long as the rider
Tip/Quote of the Day!
From Facebook fan Devan Cottrell ~ "When you think you need a half halt, try releasing first....then aha, there's your real half halt. Don't let the status quo be a heavy hand!"
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"The basic techniques, or what they call basics, are more difficult than what comes later, this is the Trap of Dressage. Correct basics are more difficult than the piaffe and passage." ~ Conrad Schumacher
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Riding in a position that puts you in perfect balance is obviously the best place to be much of the time. But there are plenty of times that it is better to be in a defensive balance, with your center of gravity slightly behind your horse’s center of gravity
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Circles and basic lateral work offer the best opportunities to work on increasing the horse's understanding and acceptance of the rider's leg aids.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Beginners are not bad riders, they merely lack experience. The only truly bad riders are usually 'experienced' in the poorest sense of that word; those who blatantly and ignorantly bully their horses." - Egon von Neindorff
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Dressage is not an easy sport, there are so many variations, but the reaction to your leg, and straightness, are so important. You just don’t see top Grand Prix riders kicking or straining for a result. Don’t tease him, tap there so quick he doesn’t know
Tip/Quote of the Day!
From member Jennifer Stankiewicz ~ "When my trainer tells me to adjust my body parts, it's always with mentally including maintaining where my center of gravity is in my hips instead of just focusing on the body part I'm supposed to adjust."
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Always remind yourself that the basic rule of riding is that energy is created with the legs, directed by the seat, and guided by the reins.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"If the horse is straight, not with the haunches in or out, it depends not on the neck, but on the body. The body is from the shoulder and that’s how you get the horses straight, you get both sides in the same length, that’s it."
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"It was a really good lesson for me to learn that sometimes to go forward with training you have to go back and fill in the holes." - Katy Barlow
