If Dressage be the Goal, This is the Stuff it’s Made of -

So once you and your horse get these real basics worked out, the rest just falls in place.

• The Five First Tier Basics of riding are - go, stop, turn in, move out, and soften.  Teach these  to your horse and then use them to complete the rest of your horses training.

• When training with the five basics, there are five combinations of hand, seat and leg - one for each of the basics.  Once confirmed, we use these to ask for more advanced movements, figures and qualities.

• The ideal figure for your horse to learn on is his Natural Circle. Similar to the classical “volte” of dressage, the size of this circle is based on his size and conformation.  From this starting point he will gradually move out to larger figures, bigger gaits and using more energy. Training on the right size circle for your horse works better than training on a standard 20 meter circle or going round and round on the rail.

• We are all shaped differently so rather than getting crammed into a theoretical shape that doesn’t fit, your correct position is the one in which you are secure, balanced and comfortable.  This principal is true when using your aids too.  It is more important that you ride in a relaxed, comfortable way than in some theoretically “correct” way.

Half-halts are something you ask the horse to do - not something you do to the horse!

• All of this and much more is covered in Mikes books and videos.  Mike is available for lessons and clinics world wide, both in person and online.

Contact Mike directly for more information.