Table of Contents
Thoughts on this book 9
Considering horse biomechanics with regard to training 13
The first steps 14
The principles of biomechanics 15
The horse's ability to bend 19
The three muscle chains 20
What happens within a horse when he mouths on the bit 24
A well-fitting saddle 30
Correct bitting 34
Balance before movement, not the other way round 37
How do you create expression? 38
The significance of the seat 40
Turning your body 43
Sitting in the direction of the movement 45
Finding the right tempo at the right time 45
Strengthening work on the lunge 49
Working with the gymnastic training rein 50
The whip and its effect 54
The basic paces 56
The walk 56
The trot 57
The canter 58
Cavaletti work 60
Moving from lungeing to ridden work 65
How to work different horses 66
Freeing up the back 70
Using the leg to ask the horse to give through his poll 72
The raised hand 75
Rising trot with two variations 76
The whip as a baton 79
The canter - how and when? 80
What is a half-halt? 82
Developing basic tools for ridden work 85
Rein-back as an example 86
Strength and condition 87
Should a young horse have their nose in front of the vertical? 89
More collection leading to greater extension 91
Using lateral movements to develop collection 95
Asking for lateral movement in-hand 96
Riding lateral movements 98
The shoulder-in 99
Using lateral work as a foundation for working towards canter changes and pirouettes 102
Counter canter 108
The half-pass 110
Creating more cadence and expression through the forehand 114
Throughness in the ribs and loins 116
The flying change as a valuable tool 119
When is the right time to introduce them? 120
Working towards the flying change 120
Problem solving 124
Using the pirouette for bend 127
Nothing will happen without bend through the ribs 128
Riding triangles and squares 129
Perfecting collection using piaffe and passage 134
The path to piaffe 134
Working towards passage 136
A few final words 139
Thanks 141
References 142
