How to best communicate with the horse has long been pondered, studied,
and deciphered. From a handler's body language on the ground to the
rider's use of "aids" (seat, legs, reins) when in the saddle, the ways
we convey our wishes to the horse are the essential foundation of the
partnership we seek with him. Although the basic aids are taught at the
most elementary levels of equitation, renowned classical dressage
trainer Sylvia Loch feels that most riders never fully realize how their
weight when mounted impacts the horse in hundreds of nuanced ways--both
good and bad. Developing an understanding of "weight aids" ensures that
riders cultivate better balance and "feel," ultimately riding with more
empathy and a finer connection.
Here, Loch provides an image-driven visual guide that shows how each
tiny shift of the rider's weight affects the horse's balance. With the
help of dozens of illustrations and fabulous color photographs, she
demonstrates the minute changes in rider position that determine a
horse's comprehension of instruction as well as his physical ability to
perform. With this book, novice riders will develop a much greater
awareness of their own bodies and abilities, as well as those of the
horse, from Day One, while more experienced riders will discover new
avenues that lead to successful riding performance and fulfilling
relationships with their horses.
