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 once while working on a serpentine, keeping the neck stable, maintaining the bend, and turning from the body rather than the hands. Catherine shares what many top riders know - the bit needs to be used to balance the horse, rather than knocking him off balance as is often the case, and she believes this is the way good riders become great. She also discusses single versus double jointed snaffles, and why she prefers the latter.
Up Next in Dressage
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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...
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Quiet Hands - Part 6
Part 6: Catherine demonstrates a simple exercise using a round rope and a post that anyone can set up to improve their contact. The exercise tests rotational and elbow flexibility, and the ability to move the hands without losing contact with the horse's mouth. Catherine uses this exercise to ill...
