The training of a horse is guided by the training scale which can be divided into two principal elements: the development of pushing power (thrust) and the development of carrying power. The horse’s back is the key to success here. The thoracic spine has 18 vertebrae, eight of which are connected to the sternum via the ribs. It forms the…
Whether in everyday life or when riding, everyone experiences challenging situations every now and then. Things that trigger us emotionally or things that can’t be solved straight away. It these moments, we have learned to check in with ourselves first instead of just looking for answers on the outside. Reflecting on your own thoughts, feelings and actions brings clarity and…
Nothing kills the spark of motivation more than repeating the same training routine every day. This is not only true for us riders, but also – or especially for horses. Working on the same dressage movements every day in the way and the same surroundings will probably get your horse bored and reduce the performance of both horse and rider.…
The canter transition may only be a small part of a training session, but it is however a crucial and important moment. It influences the quality of the canter and prepares the horse for other movements. However, many riders fail to tap into the full potential of riding a correct transition and mistakes can happen easily. Why a Correct Rider’s…
A well-structured training plan is essential for the horse's health, as well as for progressing in education and strengthening the coordination between horse and rider. It is all the more important to boost your horse’s motivation & concentration during training – especially in the winter months when the sessions mainly take place in the indoor arena. Here's how to increase…
In our everyday lives, we are flooded with stimuli. Our mind is full of thoughts, to-do lists, and schedules. That makes it difficult to solely focus on one thing. When showing your horse, the situation is a bit different, but the problem is often the same: a lack of focus. The expectations we set for ourselves and the expectations of…
Not only children learn by watching and mimicking others. Even for adults, learning from others by observing is an important factor to further skill development. Scientific studies have shown that observational learning activates certain neurons in the brain that enhance the learning process. Additionally, the brain responds when a movement is being observed that is already known from one’s own…
We consider leg yields the introduction to lateral work. Technically, however, the leg yield is by definition not a lateral movement as it’s supposed to be ridden with flexion but not bend. Classical lateral work requires both flexion and bend. But during training, there are certain situations in which it can be helpful to ride leg yields with a bit…
Every single one of us has been at a point of self-doubt – because we were stuck somewhere in the training of our horse; we didn’t jump the course as well as planned, or our dressage test was anything but brilliant. “All of us have self-doubt, and I’ve learned that that’s okay,” emphasizes Olympic champion and winner of the CHIO…
Let me say this upfront: on average, we spend too much time sitting and not enough time moving around. Our modern lifestyle negatively affects our posture. Because we spend so much time sitting – at work, at school, in the car – our muscles shorten, and the muscles of our core lack strength. An unhealthy posture then quickly becomes habitual.…
