Riding Position. Stop riding with your heels! How to use your lower leg...

"In the old days we were taught to use our heels to get a horse to move forward or sideways. Those who use spurs, also tend to use their heels. This takes the riders legs off the horse, disconnecting them from their riding position. What can you do to fix this common issue?"

The facts are, when a rider uses their heels, they often are riding on their toes, their heels come up and their entire leg rolls off the saddle from the thigh down as the rider uses the back of their leg instead of the inside. When this happens, it is impossible for the riders to keep a secure, anchored lower leg position. Now you can watch as I show Trudy how to focus on changing that habit that she has had for many years.

What do you see changing as Trudy gets a more secure feeling with her lower legs?

"Rising trot. What are you doing with your riding position? Dressage In...

"What is really happening to your riding position at the posting trot?  Are you moving with the horse or bouncing all over the place?" 

The rising/posting trot is a common challenge for many riders.  Finding the right riding position takes a lot of practice.  Once the rider "gets it" they find that their horses trot also improves. The issues that most riders have include: standing on their toes (instead of sinking into their heals) and posting faster than the horse is trotting. Now, you can watch what I do with Camille to help her become aware of what she is doing in the rising trot.

Have you noticed what you are doing at the rising trot with your riding position?  

"Can You Keep Your Horse on the Outside Rein and Leg at the Trot?" Trai...

"Would you like to watch the process we use to connect a horse to the outside rein and leg at the trot? Now you can go back in time and see what these riders did to teach their horses what it means"

This was when Susan and Beau and Trudy and Ani were still working their horses at training level. The time had come where we were able to ask the horses to stay more connected from side to side. This is when most riders start focusing on what they need to do to keep their horse balanced between their legs and reins by keeping them lightly balanced against their outside rein and leg. This is not as easy as it looks. Those who have been watching these horses and riders have seen a lot of changes since this video was filmed.

What did you learn from watching what they are doing in this session? Does it help you to understand the outside rein and leg better?

Outside Rein and Leg. Trot #3 Ani and Trudy Adams

"Is your horse on the outside rein and leg? How do you know?"
  Now you can watch as Trudy begins to teach Ani how to stay in lateral balance at the trot. This is a new concept for both the horse and rider.  To keep Ani against her outside rein and leg Trudy will need to make a few changes in her riding position.

What did you learn about the outside rein and leg from watching what Trudy is learning?

Outside Rein and Leg. Can you hold it on a circle? Walk halt. #1 Dress...

"What is really meant when someone asks you if your horse is on the outside rein and leg? Can you hold it on a circle?  Walk halts"

Is your horse on the outside rein and leg?   We start the warm up with asking Trudy to keep Ani on a 20 meter circle.  To see if she is using her outside leg and rein, Trudy has to let go on the inside rein!  Not as easy as it sounds.  

What did you see changing in Ani as she became more connected?  Are you ready to try this on your horse?

This series continues with Ani and Trudy's other horse Melody.  You will see amazing changes happen with Trudy and her horse's in front of your eyes.

http://youtu.be/VrqIkvG1YaU  

Everyone talks about riding a horse from their seat and legs, but what d...

"Everyone talks about riding a horse from their seat and legs, but what does it really mean at the stretchy walk on a longer rein?"

This is Trudy Adams on Melody, we had been trotting (another session that is shared here) and are using the stretchy walk to cool Melody down. Now, we ask that Trudy keeps Melody under her seat and connected as she focuses on doing the same exercise on a longer rein. This is not as easy as Trudy makes it look. The stretchy walk is much more difficult to keep a horse under the riders seat and connected as the result of a longer rein. Trudy is now much more aware of when Melody is really under her seat and leg/aids. Melody is still not sure, but is now more willing to allow Trudy to "drive her" from her back end instead of steering from the front. As a result, Melody is much lighter on the reins and more responsive to Trudy's seat and legs.

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How To Keep Your Lower Legs Anchored so Your Horse Stays Connected in th...

"How To Keep Your Lower Legs Anchored so Your Horse Stays Connected in the Transitions" 

While I am at the away... I wanted to share this series with you. Now it the perfect time for you to take the time to focus on your riding position. This is Trudy Adam on Ani. I asked Trudy what she wanted to focus on, and she said that Ani tends to through her nose up in the air, and disconnect in the transitions. When this happens to riders, it is usually because the rider has disconnected in the transitions. This usually starts in the lower leg. It is easy to see as their heels are higher than their toes. Now you can follow Trudy as she focuses on staying anchored through her lower leg for her transitions in this series.

Are you ready to invest in your riding success? Now is the perfect time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN9y3-5xf8k

Rider position. Isolating the lower leg position. #1 Coming back after w...

"Riding Position.  Isolating the lower leg"   Have you always wanted the tools that you could use to create a steady leg position that will support your riding position?   Watch this video to see what we do with this rider after she has had time off.

Balancing the canter/counter canter with half halts. In front of the aid...

"Is your horse heavy on the forehand when it canters? You are not alone.  What can you do to help your horse understand how you would like it to balance?  

A balanced canter can seem like a mystery to many riders. What can you do to balance your canter and counter canter more elegantly?  Watch what Susan does in this video.  We continue to refine (the never ending process)  Beau's  canters with half halts and more. 

How can you tell when your horse is in balance when it is cantering?

Halts. Backs from walk to trot. Dressage training

"Have you noticed that sometimes it feels like your horse has forgotten what you have taught it?  This week Beau has decided that he wants to back his way. Now you can see what we do to bring him back."

In this session we are focused on the walk trot transitions in and out of the halt and back.  Beau had been backing easily and on a light rein until this past week.  He decided to change the rules and at the time of this filming is leaning on the reins and dropping his nose to his knees at times.  We were preparing for the Regional Championships and so this was a little concerning. Now you can watch what Susan does to isolate where that issue came from.  This happens to all riders.  At some time or another it is like their horses go backwards in their training and we need to bring them back to where they are.

Have you noticed that your horse seems to have gone backwards in it's training at times

http://youtu.be/NKG4KP6o9wU

Trot Connecting from back to front. Rounding up, in front of the aids....

"Have you wondered what people mean when they say they are "asking their horse to step up from the back end into the connection of the rein?"  Now you can watch it happen at the trot"

Now it is time for Susan to connect Beau even more at the trot.  We spent several months going back to the basics and now are ready to re balance him at a different level.  He is moving forward from behind and has excepted a following rein.  The time has come to ask him to connect even more.  We want him to step up into a more uphill balance and self carriage. This is the 2nd week that we have focused on this. Watch how Beau begins to change his balance and movement as a result.

Did you see Beau changing?  

Walk. Connecting from the back to the front. On the aids, rounding up. ...

"Why would your horse want to move up from your leg aids and into the connection of the rein? Watch as we ask this horse to connect and balance at a new level"

We spent a few months "going back to the basics" with Beau.  Now, the time has come to see if all that work has made a difference in how he responds to Susan aids.  Those who have been watching Beau know he has some issues...  unless he is in the mood, he will not move forward freely. To get him to move forward better we let him go on a looser rein. Now, it is time to ask him to step up into the rein connection and into a better balance and connection.  Beau was not thrilled...   This is similar to what happens to many riders when they start to really connect their horse and is a perfect way to show you how to do that, even on a horse that is "complicated" to ride.

Does this give you more ideas on how you can connect and balance your horse as you move up the levels?   

http://youtu.be/XMI7GpqKV1Y  

Walk. Connecting from the back to the front. On the aids, rounding up. ...

"Why would your horse want to move up from your leg aids and into the connection of the rein? Watch as we ask this horse to connect and balance at a new level"

We spent a few months "going back to the basics" with Beau.  Now, the time has come to see if all that work has made a difference in how he responds to Susan aids.  Those who have been watching Beau know he has some issues...  unless he is in the mood, he will not move forward freely. To get him to move forward better we let him go on a looser rein. Now, it is time to ask him to step up into the rein connection and into a better balance and connection.  Beau was not thrilled...   This is similar to what happens to many riders when they start to really connect their horse and is a perfect way to show you how to do that, even on a horse that is "complicated" to ride.

Does this give you more ideas on how you can connect and balance your horse as you move up the levels?   

http://youtu.be/XMI7GpqKV1Y  

Walk. Connecting from the back to the front. On the aids, rounding up. ...

"Why would your horse want to move up from your leg aids and into the connection of the rein? Watch as we ask this horse to connect and balance at a new level"

We spent a few months "going back to the basics" with Beau.  Now, the time has come to see if all that work has made a difference in how he responds to Susan aids.  Those who have been watching Beau know he has some issues...  unless he is in the mood, he will not move forward freely. To get him to move forward better we let him go on a looser rein. Now, it is time to ask him to step up into the rein connection and into a better balance and connection.  Beau was not thrilled...   This is similar to what happens to many riders when they start to really connect their horse and is a perfect way to show you how to do that, even on a horse that is "complicated" to ride.

Does this give you more ideas on how you can connect and balance your horse as you move up the levels?   

http://youtu.be/XMI7GpqKV1Y  

Canter. Collection, rounding up, balancing, packaging, in front of the a...

"Row, row row your boat (or horse). Connecting at the canter. Can you keep your horse balanced? How can you tell?"

What can you learn from an upper level dressage horse? A lot! Susan has now had Darrien a year and he continues to get better every week. In this session we focus on Darrien's canters. Now his back is up (collection, rounding up, packaging, coming through...) most of the time which is a huge change from even a month ago. He is also much more relaxed. In this session we are working on all of the movements he needs for Intermediate 1. However, everything we do can be applied to what ever you are doing with your horses canter. For example, focusing on keeping their weight balanced on the inside hind, keeping an uphill balance, and of course, keeping the horse connected.

What did you see in this video that you are going to try on your horse?

http://youtu.be/kQmE0q1zZ6s

Trot. Half passes How to check if your riding position is right. Dress...

"Have you ever thought about what you should be doing with your riding position while riding a circle, shoulder in or half pass? Watch how easy it can be as I focus on what Susan is doing" 

Now that Darrien is more starting to connect more with Susan it is time to focus on Susan's riding position again. We have been playing with it a little, but now it the perfect time to isolate what she is doing, especially in the lateral work which includes the half passes and shoulder in. The positioning that you see in this video with Susan will also work to make your circles better.

Try this riding position tip on your horse and see how it works for you. Can you feel the difference?

Counter canter. Halt and backing. Keeping the connection and balance. Dr...

"Issues in training. Time to ask for more balance and connection in the counter canter and halt backs"

In this session our goal is simple. All Susan has to do is keep Beau in an uphill balanced and without showing issues. Those who have been following Susan and Beau know that is not always so willing to move forward freely. He has never been thrilled about "adding more activity" or taking up the "connection" from Susan's legs to her rein. This week, he also decided to change the way he is backing. For what ever reason, Beau has decided he should lean on the reins and stick his nose towards his chest. Now you can watch what we do to teach him another response...

Does your horse ever tell you that it does not feel like doing something you want it to do? What do you do to get past those issues?


http://youtu.be/R2QNdu1BagE

Canter. 2nd level. Improving the balance with 10 meter circles. Dressag...

"Once upon a time... someone has told you that it is possible to get a more comfortable canter with your horse. Of course, they may have forgotten how long it might take to get there... or what the rider needs to do to show the horse how to be there..."


That is where Susan is with Beau during the filming of this video It was time to ask him to connect more from behind for the balance he needs for 2nd level. To help Susan isolate the feeling of Beau being in balance (under Susan's seat) we add either circles, or bringing h is shoulder over as if he is doing a circle. This is when you will see Beau start to "round up", "go in front of the aids", "connect", "go into self carriage" "package" or what ever you might call what happens

Are you ready to change the balance of your horse's canter?

http://youtu.be/SjL1Bf3BpJA

Trot Warm up. Finally! Packaging and connecting Beau. Dressage training

"Packaging a horse, rounding a horse up, connecting your horse, getting your horse on the aids.. there are so many terms for what these phrases mean to different riders."

It's time to start getting picky with Beau.  This was filmed two weeks before the USDF Regional's and we need to focus on the connection and balance that he needs for competing.  Susan has how shortened the length of her rein and is asking Beau to step up more into that connection and balance at the trot.  Now you can see how Beau's balance changes as Susan asks him to round up, package, balance, engage, come through, get on the aids, keep your horse under your seat, or what ever you might call it) 

What do you see changing as Beau get's more connected?

Canter. Adding circles for better balance. Dressage training.

"How can circles improve your horse's canter?  Let me count the ways...."

How do you know if your horse is in the right balance at the canter?  Start adding circles and curves.  This is such an easy way for any rider to become aware of what they really are doing with their riding position and the horses balance at the canter.  Well, maybe it is not so easy, but with a little practice and lots of praise you will notice a difference in how your horse canters. 

Are you ready to add a few circles to your canter work?

Trots. Collected to Med Trot. Adding circles and lateral. Dressage Tips

"What can you do to improve the quality of your horses's trots?  Try adding curves and circles.  Watch how they make a difference for this horse and rider"

In this session Susan is focusing on the balance and connection of the trot work she is doing with Darrien.  To do this we add circles and curves so Susan can feel when Darrien is really under her seat and on her aids.  You will see how much this changes Darrien's trots.

Have you added more circles to your training program yet?  Can you see how they can be used to take both you and your horse to a new level?  

Walk. Improving the balance and connection of shoulder in and half pass ...

"Shoulder in's and half passes. Have you wondered how to ride a shoulder in or half pass?  They can be easier than you think by adding circles to get the correct feeling and balance?"

Now you can watch as Susan focuses on improving the quality of Darrien's shoulder in's and half passes at the walk.  In this series we are adding circles and curves to isolate the feeling of these lateral movements.  This encourages Darrien to step under more with his hind feet which will also help him to "sit down more" (dare I say the say collection?) and keep uphill in his balance. 

This was filmed 3 weeks before the USDF Regional Championships where Susan competed Darrien in the AA Intermediate 1.  They came in 3rd place.   

Have you tried adding circles or curves to your shoulder in or half pass?   This is also a great way to get the feeling of doing them if you are new to riding them.

Susan and Beau. 2nd level Dressage Championships. 63% USDF Regional Ch...

"Show Results. USDF Region 1 2nd level AA Championships with Susan and Beau. 63% 8th Place"

We went into the 2nd level AA Championships not sure what would happen. This was Susan and Beau's 6th show at that level and they were competingagainst the Region 1 top 2nd level riders. When the top 8 winners were announced their 63% score put them in the top 8 riders! Of course, being in the winners circle is always fun, but... we were not sure how Beau would react in the victory lap. Last year he was not thrilled with what was happening and Susan had to dismount as he got a little unsafe. This time, Beau was the perfect gentleman. (Whew!!) Congratulations to Susan and Beau. 

Susan and Darrien USDF Region 1Intermediate 1 AA Championship 62+% 3r...

"Region 1 Dressage Champions. Susan and Darrien earn 3rd place at Intermediate 1!"

This is Susan's ride with Darrien at the 2014 Region 1 Dressage Championships. Darrien is now much more relaxed in the show ring and with what is happening in his training. They placed 3rd with a score of 62+% (the winning ride was 5 points higher). Those who have been following this team's progress know how much Darrien has changed this past year as Susan has worked him through so many issues. At the end of this test you will see where they lost the most points. Darrien flipped his head coming down the center line for the final halt and salute. Other than that, this is their best test yet. 

Renvers and shoulder in trot. Adding the activity with curves and circle...

"Renvers (haunches in) and Shoulder In. Do they confuse you? Now you can watch how we practice them by adding the feeling of a circle or curve"

In the world of dressage competition the riders and horses are required to show both the shoulder in and renvers starting at 2nd level. Why would anyone else want to use them? Because they connect our horses more with us! How can you ride them more effectively? Add circles and curves that will show you if your horse is really moving it's shoulders and haunches where you want them to be. Now you can watch what Susan is doing with Beau to as she practices moving the different parts of his body. Beau is not so thrilled about this...

Have you tried riding a shoulder in or renvers yet? What do you find is happening?

http://youtu.be/l-BO1hH55J4