BY GIGI NUTTER – Over the last five centuries, thousands of pages have been written about rider’s position and ability to influence a horse’s movement through physical aids. Correct position […]
THE THINKING RIDER
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The Prussian cavalry officer and book author Otto von Monteton wrote in 1877: “After having trained a charger for five years during my turn of […]
LIFESTYLE WITH HORSES: PASSIONATE HOBBY OR PROFESSIONAL
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Primarily, I teach other riding instructors and trainers. They come from all over, as I gather them up, from the clinics and judging that I do […]
THE BALANCED SEAT
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER The centered seat will always be a correct seat. The word “correct” sometimes gives rise to misunderstandings in this context. Many people take it to […]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
BY DR. THOMAS RITTER When things go wrong and horses begin to misbehave, most riders search for the reason and the remedy outside themselves. The truth is that in most […]
GAIT ANALYSIS
BY IDA ANDERSON NORRIS Gait Analysis is best broken down into its parts- 1. The Type or style of Movement exhibited and 2. The Quality of movement. First, it […]
WHAT DOES DANCING BETWEEN HORSE AND RIDER MEAN? ANSWERED BY CHRISTINE RIVLIN
By CHRISTINE RIVLIN – When I think of “dancing between horse and rider” I think of the sport of Dressage. Dressage entails the guiding of a horse through a series of complex […]
RIDING WALKS AND AN INDEPENDENT SEAT
BY DR. NANCY NICHOLSON Walk is a foundation gait for horses and for humans. In dressage, walking is a gait with four phases that are heard as hoof beats. Further, […]
WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF RIDING FORWARD? ANSWERED BY CYNTHIA HODGES
By CYNTHIA HODGES – Forward riding is an essential element in achieving the ultimate goal of dressage: balanced self-carriage. To carry the rider in balance, the horse’s center of gravity […]
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOWER LEVELS
BY ARLENE RIGDON Levels training through second mark the period of the basic training of the horse. If this foundation is correct and complete, the progression into the medium […]