After many years of teaching riders of all ages and experience levels, I know this much to be true: we are all doing the best we can do with what we currently know and believe to be true.

New riders will need to spend considerable hours in the saddle to start to develop a sense of timing of their signals to the horse (also known as aids), rhythm of moving with the horse and balance. It will be difficult for the horse to trot in a steady rhythm if the rider is bouncing in the saddle. And there are lots of reasons the rider’s balance is so important. Horses will spook, they will trip, and they will make giant leaps over water. Never mind that the water was only 12 inches across and three inches deep.

Pressure and release is what training courses are all about, but early on the rider won’t be able to work on more than acquiring an effective, strong position. Only then can she control her body well enough to begin to have any positive effect on the horse.

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