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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"When I do a half-halt, I try to bring the weight of my horse on his behind (his back), in this way I can set free the front of the horse and so I can feel him more soft in my hands, while he is staying in the contact.
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Ride the horse you are on at the moment. Don't be suckered into bringing along yesterday's baggage on today's ride.
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"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."
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"The first thing to think in half-halt is to make it invisible to those watching on, which is easier said than done." ~ Carl Hester
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"A little practical hint for the aids in lateral movements and turns: If you want to move the horse’s shoulders sideways, you can picture the face of a clock, and move your belly button like the hand of a clock in the direction in which you want to
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"To ride a good corner in a test one must sit in balance and make sure that the diagonal aids (outside hand and inside leg) are working effectively together." ~ Ingrid Klimke
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Core strength is a key factor in good riding, as it is with most athletic endeavors.
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When training a spooky or green horse over fences, keep all new or odd looking fences quite small at first. This way you can make sure that there will be no refusals. If he spooks at it, you can just walk over it. When you train a young horse with
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Create good habits right off the bat with the young horse that is just learning how to jump, by using rails on the ground on both sides to form a visual chute for any gymnastic line or gridwork. With less steering needed from his rider, he will be more free
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Many horses attempt to avoid bending in their bodies by stepping to the outside with their outside hind leg. Be on the lookout for this, and keep that outside hind leg under control to make sure the horse truly bends in the ribcage.
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Control the tone of the voice in your head when you are riding, as if it becomes irritated or harsh, your horse will feel it and become tense. If it becomes timid or uncertain, your horse will feel that and may either become timid and uncertain himself, or he may
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“I don’t want to have riders who tire themselves out. Work by thinking instead.” ~ Nuno Oliveira
