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Becoming a Better Rider By Becoming a Serious Student
The best thing a rider of any level can do if she wants to make progress with her riding is to become a serious student. It doesn’t have to cost much or any money, and it can fit into your schedule where ever you can find a little time. There are opportunities for learning all around us, and especially with all the information on the internet now, it is very easy to pick up tips and integrate new ideas and information into your ride, if you’re open to learning. The trick is to balance the open-mindedness with some critical thinking that keeps you from being gullible, and to keep your…
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5 Books for Training Your Horse Yourself
There are many reasons that riders find themselves training their horses independently, whether because they simply enjoy doing it that way, don’t have a trainer they like near by, don’t have the money for lessons and training, or a million other things. These books are my favorites for when I’m working on my own. They are beautifully illustrated and discuss each movement individually from basic to advanced. Pictures and descriptions of how each movement should look, as well as signs that they aren’t being done correctly make it easy to educate yourself between lessons, and having that background understanding will help you get more out of your lessons when you…
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A Must-Read: Jane Savoie’s Dressage 101
Below the title, the cover of Jane Savoie’s Dressage 101 reads, “The Ultimate Source of Dressage Basics in a Language You Can Understand” and I think a more accurate description could not be made. If you are going to pick one single book to best learn about dressage, from defining “on the bit” and learning to do the elusive “half halt” and continuing on right up the levels through advanced movements, this is the best book I’ve come across. It is an easy read with clear definitions, step by step instructions, and beautiful illustrations. Jane has such a knack for breaking down difficult concepts and making them easy to understand…
