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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"Riders tend to lean back and pull on horses who are rushing, which makes a bad situation worse. When you pull back against your horse, he will usually invert, drop his back and lean against your hand. Once he is in this shape, no bit in the world will
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“The horse has to learn to look after himself, otherwise I might as well get off and just chuck him over. And I’m not that strong. I don’t go to the gym.” ~ Ben Maher
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Land from a jump thinking about what you are going to do next. Don't land thinking about what you just did.
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Half halts are one of the most important ways of increasing the horse's carrying power.
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Always remember that every top rider was once a beginner. You will progress the most if you walk that fine line between being patient with yourself as you learn and improve your skills, and pushing yourself to do what is most challenging for you to do.
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Only precise riding trains the horse correctly. Be exact in your geometry, figures, and lines.
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Keep your hands forward thinking at all times - don't be "stealing" from the horse's hind legs.
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"Nothing is as impressive or as valuable for the training as being able to control the impulsion and the desire to go forward to such an extent that the rider is able to bring his horse to a standstill from an extended trot or canter without the slightest effort
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Riders can benefit SO much from discussions about their riding. Riding is as much cognitive as it is physical - both aspects need to be exercised to truly improve!
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"I don't want riders who work physically hard. Work by thinking." ~ Nuno Oliveira
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"Relaxation is first mental, then physical. A horse in pain or one who fears you will never relax his body." ~ Charles de Kunffy
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The rein back is a great exercise to "fold" the joints of the hind legs and increase the "sit" behind, but only if the horse remains straight and relaxed in the back when performing it.
