If you want to jump courses of any height, advance in dressage, or perform any type of athletic endeavor on a horse, you must first master the art of basic flatwork. Practicing deliberate flatwork and incorporating specific, accurate transitions and targeted lateral work allows us to develop a clear understanding of precisely how our bodies and aids interact with our horse and what their body feels like when they respond properly to our questions.
The way that we ‘talk’ to horses while in the saddle is through the combination of our aids –– legs, seat, hands, and voice. In this lesson, we’re focusing on clear communication during our rides, through the use of our aids, our position, and our mental focus in the saddle. We’ll develop an understanding of the way we ‘talk’ to our horse while riding, as well as how our horse responds to us in a variety of ways –– from the way they sense our focus and moods, to the way they respond to pressure, release, and reward.
From building your horse’s confidence through healthy boundaries and consistent correction to finding your ‘flow’ and becoming one unit, connection with our horses affects everything we do, from grooming to horse show performances. Similar to children, horses have complex feelings, thoughts, and emotions. To get the most out of our horse, we must first understand that. Second, we must make it our mission to build a strong, confident partnership.
Being a good rider starts with understanding how horses think, feel, and behave. It’s our job to support, guide, and encourage them to perform at their best. We can only do that with true knowledge and understanding of what makes them tick. From horse management at home to how we sit in the saddle, everything we do affects our horses. It’s important to take time and start at the beginning to educate ourselves to the best of our abilities.
Anne takes you through her background from learning to ride as a child in California, to following her big Olympic dreams as the sport took her all over the world and brought her in contact with many amazing people and horses. She details the lessons that she’s learned through that journey, and what she’s learned about horses from riding and competing with so many incredible partners through the years. This is a chance to get to know the Olympian and international champion in a new way, through an intimate and personal one-on-one conversation.