THE ABC’S OF EXERCISE
BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU Horses must become athletes first, and only then become dressage specialists. Many horses end up stuck in a training rut because they lack basic physical conditioning, which predisposes them to compromised muscle patterns, ... continue reading...
RIDE THE RIGHT WAY
BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU The cornerstone of any aspiring dressage riders’ skills is the ability to help the horse channel fluid movement through his back. We accomplish—and test-- this by riding in a long and low posture, or stretching the horse's ... continue reading...
FITNESS FACTS FOR THE BACK
BY JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU No part of your horse is isolated. Everything in the muscular and skeletal systems is interconnected! As riders, we spend a huge amount of time on our horses’ backs, imagining them to be created by Mother Nature for the ... continue reading...
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO IMPROVE THE HORSE’S TOPLINE? ANSWERED BY JEC A. BALLOU
By JEC ARISTOTLE BALLOU - To improve the horse's topline, you must strengthen the horse's bottom line. As the horse's bottom line strengthens, a series of postural changes results, namely the coiling of his loins, rounding his back, and lifting the ... continue reading...
