Canter Trot Transitions. Adding the Shoulder In and Leg Yields for better connection an balance.

"Would you like to improve your Canter Trot Transitions? Try adding the shoulder in and leg yield movements! "

In this blast from the past we focused on getting Beau more balanced in his canter trot transitions. At that time, Beau had the tendency to flip his head up, and dropping his back as a result, in the canter trot transitions both up and down. To balance Beau for the transitions we add shoulder ins and leg yields to get him to be in a better balance.

Can you see how Beau's transitions begin to change as Susan prepares him in different ways to see how to get the response she is looking for? Can you see how this could help your horse?

Canter Trot transitions. Timing of the Riders Aids. Is your horse really connected to you?

"Would you like to improve the way your horse changes its gait from a trot to a canter?  Than it's time to think about the timing of your aids and your Steps to Connection. Watch what Susan does with Beau in this blast from the past"  

In this session Susan is riding the transition from the trot to the canter, and the canter to to the trot.She is focusing on the timing of her rein and leg aids and how Beau is responding to them. Lucky you as you will get to see a horse as it is learning how to re balance at a new level.  This was the 2nd session where we focused on keeping Beau connected at this level" 

Can you see the difference in how Beau is moving as he works through these exercises?  

Transitions and Half halts. Riding Position. Is your horse responding? ...

"The secrets to the half halts and Steps to Connection. Everything you need to get started on connecting your riding position to your horse when you ride"

On this day Trudy asked me to isolate what she was doing with her riding position for her half halts and to improve how she is connecting (The Steps to Connection) with Ani. For the first time, we started the process in the warm up. Now you can see the steps that we are using as we continue this series into the trot and canters.

Are you ready to try this on your horse? We would love to hear how these techniques are working for you. This is also a great place to ask any questions that you might have about these Horse and Rider Awareness techniques.

The Rainbow (in a horses neck)at the trot/canter transitions. Is your horse really connected?

"The Rainbow...  An easy way for you to know if your horse is connecting the way you want it do.  Check out this easy to use technique to see if your horse has a "Rainbow" in your trot/canter transitions today to know if your horse is really connected or not"



For most of us, keeping our horses balanced and in connection is important. We like the way it feels when our horses connect with us at that level.  An easy way to be able to "see" (yes, sometimes we do look down) is by keeping a "Rainbow" in your horses neck.  Of course, it is much more than that... However, this is an easy technique that will let you know when your horse is really on the aids/in front of the legs/on the bit, round, packaged, the beginning of self carriage.



The next time you ride, check to see if you have a "Rainbow" in your horses neck.  Let us know how it works for you!

Contact. The beginnings. Walk trot. The Steps to Connection. S4 dressage

"What if... you have finally come to the point in your horses training where you are ready to ask them to stay connected from your leg to the reins (contact). What should you expect and what should you do?"


When a horse is learning how to stay connected they are not sure what is going on. Especially if this is also new for the rider. Now you can watch what happens as I use the "Steps to Connection"with Trudy to show her how to keep Ani focused and connected walk halt transitions for the 4th time.

Can you see how important understanding the Steps to Connection are to what you are doing with your horse?

Warm up trot. The Steps to Connection that you need! S4 Riding instruction

"What would it feel like if you could connect to your horse at the trot in the warm up? Have you ever thought about it? Now you can watch to see what I do with Trudy to help her balance and connect with Ani sooner than in the past"


Once a horse is past the "Green horse" phase we can start asking them to connect and balance sooner during our riding time. Now that Trudy as been able to take Ani to the "next level" she is now asking her to connect sooner from her leg to the rein. This is a big change as before Trudy warmed Ani up on a loose rein (like a green horse) and pretty much allowed her to do any speed she wanted in the warm up phrase. Now you can watch the changes and see how adding connection earlier can make a difference in your riding and training.

What do you do in your warm up? Are you asking your horse to connect in the warm up yet?

Warm up trot. The Steps to Connection that you need!

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<b>"What would it feel like if you could connect to your horse at the trot in the warm up?  Have you ever thought about it?  Now you can watch to see what I do with Trudy to help her balance and connect with Ani sooner than in the past"</b>

Once a horse is past the "Green horse" phase we can start asking them to connect and balance sooner during our riding time.  Now that Trudy as been able to take Ani to the "next level" she is now asking her to connect sooner from her leg to the rein.  This is a big change as before Trudy warmed Ani up on a loose rein (like a green horse) and pretty much allowed her to do any speed she wanted in the warm up phrase.  Now you can watch the changes and see how adding connection earlier can make a difference in your riding and training.

What do you do in your warm up?  Are you asking your horse to connect in the warm up yet?