What does anyone have to offer the modern rider that hasn’t already been written about thousands of times before?
Basics that are more basic
Basics have always been defined as qualities such as rhythm, tempo, bend, and forward—but those are basic qualities not the training basics you need to develop them. Riding in the Moment shows that everything in riding begins with Five First Tier Basics: go, stop, turn in, move out, and soften. You can achieve these real basics with your horse and then use them to develop the basic qualities that have been labeled as “basics” in the past.
Aids that give more aid
Traditionally the “aids” are only explained in their ideal form—how a rider on a fully trained horse asks for the various figures and movements. Mike explains you have to be able to use “corrections” that are "clear, effective, and over with" and “cognitive aids” that rely on the horse's understanding of them for their effectiveness. These techniques and the Five First Tier Basics are then used to teach your horse to reach softly out to the hand so riding with ideal, classical aids is possible.
Figures that help them figure it out
So many riders never get past the lower levels because they’re trying to use the figures from tests as training tools. However, the 20 meter circle is known as the “eternal circle” because test figures are not terribly useful for earliest training. The system explained here relies on figures and exercises that will help you find your horse's natural circle. Using the natural circle will help him learn to bend, balance, and move freely forward under saddle. From this starting point, the other more advanced figures and exercises that have been elusive, are easily achievable.
You and your horse will find everything complements everything else in a single, cohesive approach to training that is easy to understand and follow.
