Table of contents for Dressage Today Extra Volume 26 in Practical Horseman

When I sit on my horse, elasticity and suppleness are the key qualities that make all things possible. Suppleness comes from good riding and elasticity is the development of even more flexibility in the horse’s body that allows him to show his quality. When the horse is stiff and strong, it’s not easy for the rider or the horse and it’s not nice-looking either! But when the horse is flexible and elastic, he can do his job well. First Things First Rhythm and a good connection. The seat and the hands of the rider must be independent of each other. That is, a rider must be able to sit the rhythm of the horse without moving her legs or hands. The movement of the whole horse goes directly into the…

Many riders straighten their elbows and then their arms get long and strong. They end up hanging on the reins and they can’t be deep in the seat. Try this: Keep your elbows on the side of your ribs and swing your seat and your back between your elbows. Then sit as independently as possible. Every horse is different but these basic ideas are always the same: • The horse needs a clear, fluent rhythm and flexibility. • The rider needs an independent seat and hands for a good connection. Whatever you do with your hands, they must be independent of the seat.…

Q Every fall I wonder how to best manage my horse’s coat. I don’t want to clip him too early and sometimes wonder if I should clip at all. What is the best practice to keep him comfortable and clean as we transition from summer into fall and winter? Name withheld by request CAT HILL Crisp autumn air has arrived and so has new growth on your horse’s coat. Seasonal transitions can pose challenges for your horse, but regular grooming can help. Coats already begin growing out as early as mid-August to prepare for the cooling temperatures. During this time, your horse may become itchy and uncomfortable. You can maintain your horse’s comfort and health through the seasons by developing a seasonal grooming routine. Determine your routine. Currying is always…

The breeding of dressage horses has improved their quality to a huge degree over the last 20 years. The horses I had many years ago had good movement but they weren’t as flexible as they are now, so it was much harder for me to keep them together. Today, the modern horses are more elegant and have better movement, lightness and self-carriage. This makes it much easier because the rider needs less power to keep the horse together. It’s much easier to play with them because they are more elastic and flexible by nature.…

grew up in New York riding ponies and later rode show hunters through college. After college, she moved to Ireland and worked at Mullingar Equestrian Center with show jumpers and eventers. She later returned to the U.S. and was a working student for a top Grand Prix dressage rider before being hired to manage eventer Mara DePuy’s barn. Today she freelances as a groom for various disciplines and teaches lower-level riders in dressage, jumping and eventing. She and Emma Ford wrote the book, "World-Class Grooming."…