Tip/Quote of the Day!

"Once you are in the working phase, stay sitting in the saddle as the seat is a very important aid for influence; especially for long backed horses. If you sit in the saddle you can better feel and influence the horse. If the horse is weak, perhaps sit for shorter periods followed by stretching, then work sitting again." ~ Ingrid Klimke

"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

"The hind legs are brought far enough underneath the center of gravity by the rider’s legs, where they are gradually burdened with more of the combined weight of horse and rider for brief moments, which flexes their joints more. Like coiled springs, they push off with much greater elasticity afterwards than unflexed hind legs. This energetic, springy forward swinging creates a very characteristic feeling in the seat (you feel the work of the hind legs as well as the swinging of the back that it creates very clearly, yet pleasantly), which is typical for a gait with impulsion, and which signals to the experienced rider: 'Now he is moving!' I despise, on the other hand, a wishy-washy, unclear trot feeling under the saddle which is caused by dragging hind legs that hardly push off and consequently don’t make the back swing – whereas others seem to love it. De gustibus … No, this is not a matter of taste. One is correct, the other one is wrong! Thrust may be there naturally, but impulsion must be worked out - or better: into – the horse by cultivating the thrust." ~ Alfred Knopfhart

You have to be able to ride in "neutral", with no aids whatsoever, for your horse to be able to feel, recognize, and respond to the lightest of your aids.

The less you see a rider do, the better. That means they are communicating with the horse quietly, and the horse is attentive.

"The only way they learn how to go off easy aids is if we don’t resort to just strength." ~ Debbie McDonald

"Have a high standard for giving aids in a really clear, correct way. If the aids are that obvious, that’s not dressage. Educate your horse so that he responds to gentle leg pressure." ~ Steffen Peters

Riders who get the best out of the sensitive type of horse are good at being tactful. 

If you want to develop a nicely shaped crest and neck on your horse, you have to make sure your horse is truly seeking the connection - reaching into the bit, rather than backing away from it. 

When riding and training, make sure you are truly in neutral after every correct response from your horse. This means no aids!

"If you keep your hands still, you’ll start using your legs." ~ Ulla Salzgeber

"Shoulder in is a preparation for the half pass, plus shoulder in gives more connection on the outside rein. Shoulder in makes more suppleness." ~ Johan Hamminga

The intensity of a half halt is determined by the strength of the push into it.

Riding is like a marriage between the horse and rider. Don’t let the familiarity trick you into doing the same things over and over.

Stay quiet with your aids and let the exercise teach the horse.

Every time you begin a Dressage test at a show, make sure you think about making a good first impression with a forward, confident center line, and a smile for the judge! 

Some people misunderstand the term "on the forehand," which refers to the shoulders being down and the hind legs out behind the horse, regardless of where his head and neck are positioned. A low head and neck does not mean a horse is on the forehand, any more than a high head carriage means collection.

Lots of little changes of frame in your Dressage warmup… a little stretching, a little up, and repeat… can help your horse to come more through his body.

Let your plan be... to change and adapt your plan as much as necessary on course. Ultimately, you ride the horse, and not the plan.

Long slow distance work is an important part of the conditioning program for every horse. But it is especially important for older and young horses. Older horses need to keep limber, and young horses need to build a base level of tendon, ligament, and bone strength.

The rider's leg is for adding energy, and their seat governs the length of the horse's stride.

Riders often tend to forget their outside leg in the equation of the bending aids. If you want to achieve true bend in the horse's ribcage, your outside leg must keep the hindquarters on the track.

All horses are naturally crooked to at least some degree. Good, correct Dressage training should eventually fix this however.

"The better the rider’s balance in the saddle, the better the communication. There are two things the rider must be – balanced, and supple. The less good the rider’s seat, then the more often the rider is in the saddlery shop buying new saddles, new stirrups. The rider has to find his balance in the saddle, not being held in position by a saddle in which you cannot move." ~ Christoph Hess

Transitions act as a test of your connection, and your horse's balance. If the quality of your connection is lacking as you begin a transition, it will be particularly evident as you execute it.

"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

"You can influence a horse, but you're never *really* in control.” ~ Chris Bartle

Push yourself away from your hands, instead of bringing your hands back to you. 

"Make him proudly independent of you so that he understands his job so well you merely walk the course and then show him the way. Tell your horse what you want him to do, and then allow him to do it." ~ Jimmy Wofford

"Don’t get drunk on speed." ~ Jimmy Wofford