In this article, I continue with the series “training outside the box.” The “box” is the confined areas, such as arenas and paddocks, where many riders spend most of their training time. Before we start training outside the box, however, it is important to recognize and learn...

In this article, we will continue our discussion of the bending and turning aids. The goal for both the bending and turning aids is to control the horse’s body position and balance. I have received many requests to describe in detail the role of these aids, and so I want to...

The rider’s aids are the tools with which the rider communicates with his/her horse. The “natural” aids the rider uses are the seat, the legs, and the hands. The rider’s legs and seat control the two-thirds of the horse’s body from the withers back. The rider’s hands control...

This month’s article is the second in a series based on part two of my five-part visual series, “Dressage Principles for the Western and English Horse and Rider.” This section is titled “Communicating with Your Aids…Keys to Success” because I believe that it contains the...