Unless otherwise noted, all quotes on this page are the work of Lesley Stevenson. Please ensure proper attribution when sharing. Thank you!
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"I once heard someone describe the ideal self-carriage (Dehnungshaltung) as the following: Think of a horse standing at the edge of a cliff with his neck stretched out forward and down to peek over the edge, but he is rocked back on his hind legs so as not to
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Even if the rider has all of their body parts generally in the right place, they will feel out of balance and out of "sync" with their horse's movement when the shock absorbing joints in their hips and legs are locked and rigid.
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You should have a clear understanding and feeling for the amount of bend required to accurately follow a 20m, a 15m, or a 10m circle (or any sized circle, really.)
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There is an imaginary "home position" for your hands when you are riding. That is just above (and centered over) your horse's withers, with your hands about the width of your bit apart. If you have to deviate from this position for any reason, make sure
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Did you know that your spine doesn't end at your neck? It goes up into your head! So when a rider looks down, or juts their head and chin forward, they are compromising that stretched up, vertical spine.
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"Riding half halts with the smallest give after each while the horse gets rounder and lighter but still reaches for the bit has been my tool to develop the basic gaits." ~ Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel
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"I think it is most useful if you ask yourself if you could release one or two reins at any time during your ride. If you can, then you are on your way to self-carriage." ~ Felicitas von Neumann-Cosel
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"You can influence a horse, but you're never really in control.” ~ Chris Bartle
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Self carriage isn't just for Dressage. Think of little checks for self carriage when jumping as well - even on cross country. Never attempt to hold your horse up!
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The horse's body must be supple if he is to be free to use it to balance himself with a rider on his back. Use suppling exercises (here's a full list of them) regularly to make this easier for him.
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To make your leg longer in Dressage, think about letting your knees drop.
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A horse will respond best to an aid when the rider has the ability to give it smoothly and within the rhythm of the horse's stride.
