SEAT is that quality which permits the rider to remain master of his equilibrium, whatever may be the actions of his horse. The seat of military purposes must be secure in itself, that is independent of other means of security, and must provide ease and comfort for both rider and horse...
This exercise is designed to build strength in the horse, allow him to become more supple by creating bend in its trunk, get him to be aware of where his feet are and need to be, and improve his overall balance with the result that the rider will be able to move those parts of the horse that need to be realigned with more fluidness and lightness...
A horse can have the correct position with his head and neck, i.e., stretching out from the withers in a crescent shape with the poll at the highest point, but if his nose is behind a vertical line dropped down from his forehead, then he is considered to be 'behind-thebit.'
Flying changes are, in reality, canter departs ‘in the air’ performed when the horse is in suspension with all four feet off the ground; asked for and executed in a fraction of a second...
What is the proper position and how do we obtain it? Before we get into the specifics of the rider's position, let it be said that because of each person’s physical build and possibly because of the construction of the saddle that one rides, not everyone will be able to achieve the position described in this article...
A basic question which we must answer regarding ourselves and our horses is: What kind of relationship do we want? Do we want a relationship where the horse is a beast of burden made to do our bidding and we are the master and he is the slave? Or, do we want a relationship which brings us together in a partnership?
Just what are "the basics" that everyone talks about and how long will it take to master them? In answer to the second part of the question it is to be noted that Nuno Oliveria considered a horse to have mastered the basics and to be ready for High School work when he was "light" in all parts of his body at all times during riding. It took up to 15 years for him to "educate" a horse to this level...
The word "dressage" is an old French word which has no exact equivalent when it is translated into English. This may explain why it is generally misunderstood in this country, because it means a good deal more that the common English translation of "training", which, used in connection with sports activities and with horses, generally refers more particularly to the creation of physical fitness...
It is hard to believe, but nevertheless true, that within a span of time of just under three hundred years (approximately from the 1530's to near the end of the 1700's) there were more advancements and developments in the art of horsemanship than have ever taken place either before or after that time...
Lest the cart precede the horse (no pun intended), it would be beneficial to understand where the term 'classical horsemanship'(sometimes referred to as the Art of Classical Riding or classical equestrianism) came from and what made it 'classical' before we discuss the principles behind it.