Tip/Quote of the Day!
The muscles in the horse's loin area (behind the saddle) are loosened and suppled with each good lateral step behind. Just one reason of many why lateral steps are a very important part of training horses.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"Suppleness means that the muscles contract and de-contract, and this has to go through the entire horse, it cannot be blocked in the middle of the back, and it also has to go through the rider." ~ Susanne Miesner
Tip/Quote of the Day!
The right small daily actions performed with consistency can create amazing long term results.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Using a volte (a 6, 8, or 10 meter circle) before a lateral exercise like a shoulder in, haunches in, or half pass allows you to establish the bend for those movements even before you begin them.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Every well ridden corner in the Dressage ring is a suppling exercise, and should be recognized as such.
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Tip/Quote of the Day!
Riding backwards (too much hand and/or not enough leg) when the horse is "having a look" at a fence can easily cause a stop.
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"A steady hand with a soft, following elbow invites a steady, soft contact from the horse. Working the bit or being busy with your fingers invites a false frame." ~ Alexis Soutter
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Make sure your inside leg is quietly on the horse before you begin a turn. Even though your outside aids actually turn your horse, your inside leg is the post that he needs to bend around. Many riders are caught out with their inside leg completely off, and only put
Tip/Quote of the Day!
Jimmy Wofford, on rider nerves, "There is nothing wrong with having butterflies, you just have to get them flying in formation!"
Tip/Quote of the Day!
"If you keep your hands still, you’ll start using your legs." ~ Ulla Salzgeber