Part 2: Catherine works with the rider to keep the horse stable and soft through bends, rather than stable and held. She explains it's much easier to bend horses than people think, because most people want to do it with strength but if you approach the horse with strength in the arms he'll lock his neck, so riders must approach the horse with a very soft arm. With the neck more correct and the horse off the forehand, Catherine works with the rider on tempo and riding forward into a still hand.
Up Next in Dressage
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Quiet Hands - Part 3
Part 3: Catherine works with the rider to use less rein and instead turn with their vision and their seat. She points our most horses are happy to follow these aides, and in using them, riders can avoid constantly disturbing the horse with the bit. The rider has to focus on multiple problems at o...
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Quiet Hands - Part 4
Part 4: Given that the rider is riding in a double jointed snaffle, Catherine explains the importance of not moving the bit through the horses mouth - which leaves the leg and seat aids to be relied upon. She has the rider do an exercise with bridging the reins which illustrates whether she needs...
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Quiet Hands - Part 5
Part 5: Catherine explains how the horse has mirrored the rider and has been charging around, while the rider has been riding his mouth rather than his body. By committing to softness and to get on and ride the horse from behind rather than from the mouth, she shares how the rider can move past t...
