“Positive body tension and core stability in the saddle are essential – I need both so that I can steer the horse without needing to use my hands,” Jessica explains. A strong core gives you stability in the saddle and enables you to react to the horse’s every movement, even if the horse suddenly stops or shies away from something.…
Strictly speaking, your training already begins in the stable before you even get on your horse. You as the rider, should have a plan in mind and know what you would like to work on and what you would like your horse to get out of today’s training. The two key questions are: What would I like to achieve with…
Having control when riding has nothing to do with forcing your horse to do something or forcing it into a particular shape. Being in control when riding a horse involves two things: on the one hand, that the rider is able to determine and guide the horse’s pace, direction and sequence of movements, and on the other hand, that the…
The warm up phase in your warm up is an important component of every training session. It is the foundation upon which further education and training are built. Crucially: The horse shapes the loosening phase – depending on age, level of training, training plan, and current condition. The warm up phase in riding Basically, the loosening phase is a warm-up…
There is no general answer to which head and neck position you should ride a horse in. This depends on the horse, its level of training and its form on the day. No matter how or what you train, the aim should always be a relaxed, supple, content horse that energetically goes forward with a swinging back. The FN guidelines…
From the very moment we sit in the saddle, we are challenged to sit upright, not to round our shoulders, and to balance on our seat bones. Dressage is a demanding discipline as it requires a correct body position and alignment. Our spine must be in the neutral position – neither creating a hollow nor a rounded back. “The ability…
