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Basic riding theory

Warm-up and stretching exercises for the rider
How to improve your straightness, relaxation and suppleness…This topic is developed by Veronique Bartin, horse rider and instructor of the Alexander program, through of a series of small exercises to practise a few minutes before getting in the saddle.
Time: 11 min

How to deal with a horse not responding to the leg aid
Whatever the sensitivity of a horse, his response to the rider’s aids is primarily linked to his training as well as his understanding of the request. Michel gives us a smooth technic to obtain a horse responsive to the leg aid no matter the horse.
Time: 13 min

The rider’s hands belong to the horse’s mouth
The goal of this exercise is to encourage the horse to reach for the contact, whether he is in a low position when stretching the neck down, or in a position with the poll being the highest point. By allowing the horse to round his entire top line, the rider will enable him to optimize his engagement, his pushing power, and his balance.
Time: 8 min 45

Rider’s position and harmony with the horse
A good position is not only nice to watch but is also suitable to connect the motion of the horse and rider together. That said, no rider has the perfect position and everyone must deal with their own physical limitation.
Time: 9 min

Seeing your spot in front of fences
How to manage the distance approaching fences. During this session, Michel goes through a few exercises with his new student (...)
Time: 8 min 30

Lateral-work: the active leg
The lateral-work aims to improve the horse’s suppleness and balance. The rider will have to dissociate his aids and not work in a symmetric manner anymore. Especially to work with what is called: the active leg.
Time: 8 min

The rider's back
To keep your back straight, use your inner video. Memorise a strong image. Imagine that someone is pulling you up by your hair; you will grow tall as if trying to touch the sky with your head.
Time: 1 min

The first contact with horse
The horse’s reactions as I approach him or her provide me with precious information about the way I will ride him or her. Knowing whether patting calms him, or on the contrary causes mistrusting reactions, already informs me about how he will react to messages sent by my aids.
Time: 3 min

The rider's legs
Leg pressure must, under no circumstance, be continuous.  I believe that the best leg action is the one obtaining the maximum effect, using the minimum pressure.
Time: 2 min

The wide angle view
A rider who uses his eyes correctly can make progress very quickly indeed. The beginners I train over jumps make considerable progress by simply being aware of where they are looking.
Time: 3 min