The Athletic Horse: Building on Strengths, Overcoming Weaknesses

A systematic, comprehensive, classical, and fair method of horse training

When problems occur during a horse’s dressage training, all too often the trainer neglects to ask why and this guide endeavors to find the answers to this question. While demonstrating ways in which a horse’s weaknesses can be systematically corrected, the book also details quiet and effective ways of developing a horse's strengths. Placing particular value on a method of schooling that avoids force, and builds consistently on an understanding of the horse’s anatomy, the aim of the training approach is harmony in movement, which can only be achieved when the rider proceeds carefully and systematically. Topics include the biomechanics of the horse, the principle of balance before movement, how to work different types of horses, developing collection through lateral work, the flying change as a valuable tool, the pirouette for bend, and perfecting collection through piaffe and passage.