Cross-training for riders plays an important role in maintaining long-term health, performance and comfort in equestrian sport. Compromise and even pain in the locomotor system, especially backpain, have already become the world’s most common health complaint – with a clear worsening trend. A sedentary lifestyle, repetitive motion or strain at work or during sports can result in these types of…
An unridden horse is naturally in balance. When he is asked to carry a saddle and rider, however, throughout his training, he needs to learn to balance himself with the rider in different situations, over varying terrain, in various movement patterns, exercises, over jumps, and even at the halt. The rider is supporting this by following the motto: Ride your…
Riders need a stable core - Jessica von Bredow-Werndl sums up why in one sentence: "We need a strong center so that we can sit quietly and straight." That means: Anyone who has strength and stability in their core can absorb, hold, and flow with every movement of the horse. The core is the rider's center. "It is decisive for…
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…
