Centered Riding

Centered Riding PDF

Author: Sally Swift

Publisher: Macmillan

Published: 1985-01-15

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 9780312127343

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Widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of "soft eyes," proper breathing, centering, and balance, Sally Swift has been a pioneering riding instructor for half a century. In book form for the first time, her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally, without pain. Unlike traditional teachers, Sally Swift does not believe in forced training techniques that cause stiff bodies and tense riding. Instead, through the use of vivid, unusual, and highly creative images that transcend mechanics ("Pretend you're a spruce tree; the roots grow down from your center as the trunk grows up"), plus a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, this wise and inspiring teacher enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses, in order to ride in natural positions, break through frustrating plateaus, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality, and precision. Precise illustrations and photographs never before used in riding books explain anatomy and image work to give mind and body new and relaxed approaches to the inner process of riding. Centered Riding is for those with little experience all the way up to world class.

Centered Riding 2

Centered Riding 2 PDF

Author: Sally Swift

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Published: 2014-04-21

Total Pages: 272

ISBN-13: 1570767033

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Centered Riding is not a style of riding as are dressage, hunter seat, or Western. Rather, it is a way of reeducating a rider’s mind and body to achieve greater balance in order to better communicate with the horse. Founder Sally Swift revolutionized riding by showing that good use of the human body makes a world of difference on horseback. Early in her work, she established what she calls the “Four Basics” — centering, breathing, soft eyes, and building blocks—which, together with grounding, are the main tenets of her method. When a rider learns and maintains these basics, then harmony between horse and human is possible. Sally Swift’s first book, Centered Riding, made its revolutionary appearance in 1985 and continues as one of the best-selling horse books of all time. This second book doesn't replace the first one, it complements it. In the intervening years, Centered Riding continued to evolve, and Sally inevitably developed many new concepts and fresh imagery, all of which are presented here.

50 5-Minute Fixes to Improve Your Riding

50 5-Minute Fixes to Improve Your Riding PDF

Author: Wendy Murdoch

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Published: 2010-07-01

Total Pages: 202

ISBN-13: 1570766398

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5 minutes a day is all the time you need to achieve: • Better balance in the saddle • Improved body control from head to toe • Increased influence with your seat • Flawless leg position and subtle aiding • Quieter, softer hands and contact your horse can trust • Less physical stiffness, tension, and riding-related pain • Confidence in your ability to communicate with your horse! PLUS, in just 5 minutes you can improve a horse that's: • Unwilling to go forward or "dead" to the leg • Hollow-backed, high-headed, or above the bit • Heavy on the forehand and unbalanced • A chronic "puller," "leaner," or "head-tosser"! Start or end your riding sessions with Wendy Murdoch's 5-Minute Fixes, and you'll be amazed how quickly you can replace old habits with new ones, get out of your "riding rut," and transform what you can't do into what you can do…naturally, capably, comfortably, and consistently alongside a happy riding partner—your horse.

40 Fundamentals of English Riding

40 Fundamentals of English Riding PDF

Author: Hollie H. McNeil

Publisher: Storey Publishing

Published: 2011-01-01

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 1603427899

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"90-minute DVD, all 40 fundamentals fully demonstrated with narration by the author"--Sticker on dust jacket.

Fit to Ride in 9 Weeks!

Fit to Ride in 9 Weeks! PDF

Author: Heather Sansom

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Published: 2016-09-01

Total Pages: 515

ISBN-13: 1570768307

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Regardless of discipline, level of expertise, training philosophy, body shape, or fitness level, all riders do better—in horse-related activities on the ground and in the saddle—when they take care of their bodies and maintain their fitness. While riding is a great way to enjoy an active lifestyle, on its own it is not enough to condition and tone the body to the degree we need, and then the horse must make up the fitness gap in our physical partnership. If our reflexes are slow, if our bodies fatigue, if our position collapses, if tension patterns appear, then the horse suffers repetitive asymmetrical strain or develops compensatory movement habits. It is for his good, as well as ours, that certified personal trainer and riding coach Heather Sansom has developed an utterly achievable 9-week plan to give every rider the straightness, suppleness, strength, and stamina she needs to rider her best. With hundreds of one-of-a-kind illustrations depicting accurate musculature on the rider’s body, and dozens of proven exercises organized in a progressive fitness program with easy-to-use schedule charts, Sansom’s book is the key to enjoying the ride, being fair to your horse, and getting into fabulous shape—in nine weeks!

Riding Lessons

Riding Lessons PDF

Author: Sara Gruen

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 2009-10-13

Total Pages: 411

ISBN-13: 0061753238

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As a world-class equestrian and Olympic contender, Annemarie Zimmer lived for the thrill of flight atop a strong, graceful animal. Then, at eighteen, a tragic accident destroyed her riding career and Harry, the beautiful horse she cherished. Now, twenty years later, Annemarie is coming home to her dying father's New Hampshire horse farm. Jobless and abandoned, she is bringing her troubled teenage daughter to this place of pain and memory, where ghosts of an unresolved youth still haunt the fields and stables—and where hope lives in the eyes of the handsome, gentle veterinarian Annemarie loved as a girl . . . and in the seductive allure of a trainer with a magic touch. But everything will change yet again with one glimpse of a white striped gelding startlingly similar to the one Annemarie lost in another lifetime. And an obsession is born that could shatter her fragile world.

When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics

When Two Spines Align: Dressage Dynamics PDF

Author: Beth Baumert

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Books

Published: 2015-09-14

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1570767734

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Within riding exists a fundamental conflict of interest: The rider needs to have control—her confidence depends on her ability to control the balance of her own body as well as that of her very powerful horse. The horse, by nature, needs to feel free—free in both mind and body to express himself through movement. In When Two Spines Align, author Beth Baumert, writer and editor at the equestrian magazine Dressage Today, resolves the freedom-control enigma by taking a close look at the individual components that make up riding and dressage and providing practical ways riders can learn to harness the balance, energies, and forces at play. Readers will discover how to use “positive tension” and their body’s “power lines” to become balanced and effective in the saddle. They will then find ways to understand and manage the horse's balance and “coordination challenges.” Ultimately, the rider learns to regulate and monitor the horse's rhythm, energy, flexion, alignment, bend, and line of travel by properly aligning her spine with his. When the center of gravity of a balanced rider is over the center of gravity of a balanced horse, that place where two spines align becomes the hub for rider and horse harmony.

The Basics of Western Riding

The Basics of Western Riding PDF

Author: Charlene Strickland

Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Published: 2012-11-12

Total Pages: 145

ISBN-13: 1612122248

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Get in the saddle and experience the thrills, challenges, and fun of Western riding! In this comprehensive introductory guide, veteran trainer Charlene Strickland covers everything from safe horse handling procedures and basic Western riding techniques to stylish competition outfits. With plenty of encouragement and a contagious passion, Strickland provides easy-to-follow riding instructions along with expert advice on evaluating horses and appropriate tack. You’ll soon be enjoying pleasurable rides both in the training ring and out on the trail.

Simplify Your Riding

Simplify Your Riding PDF

Author: Wendy Murdoch

Publisher: Carriage House Publishing

Published: 2004-04-06

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780967004747

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In this book Wendy Murdoch shows riders of all skill levels how to eliminate unconscious restrictions and use their bodies to achieve a higher level of performance with their horses. Featuring over 200 step-by-step colour photographs, the book breaks down the components of balance in the saddle, timing of your aids, riding with a deep seat, and moving in concert with your horse into easy-to-grasp building blocks for improvement. Murdoch presents these concepts in a series of illustrated lessons that allow riders of all disciplines to bring her expertise and guidance right into their own riding ring.

Gabriel's Triumph

Gabriel's Triumph PDF

Author: Alison Hart

Publisher: National Geographic Books

Published: 2010-07-06

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 1561455474

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Recently freed from slavery, Gabriel is burning up the horse track as jockey and stacking up wins for his former master. When Mister Giles asks him to ride Aristo, a powerful but unpredictable horse, in the prestigious Saratoga Chase, Gabriel jumps at the chance to compete against some of the greatest jockeys in the business. But as he begins the journey to Saratoga, he finds that high-stakes horse racing can be a nasty business as he works to keep Aristo safe and fend off horse poachers and jealous jockeys. Gabriel also learns the difficult lesson that being freed is not the same as being free. More than ever, Gabriel misses his father, who is fighting with the Union Army. Who else can he trust? In the second book of the Racing to Freedom trilogy, Alison Hart continues to explore the complex relationships of the Civil War. The result is a gripping story that vividly brings to life the danger and drama of a time when war and issues of race and freedom divided the country. Background historical material and photos are included.