Table of Contents
Foreword to the First English Language Edition 4
Foreword 5
Preface 8
1 Study of Movement and Riding 14
Learning about movement: ideally like a child 16
The training of the rider 19
2 Physiology of Movement 22
Joints - where movement takes place 24
Musculature - how movements are executed 26
The nervous system - how movement is organized 28
3 Pelvis - Centre of Movement 30
Fundamental principles of anatomy 32
Body proportions and individual build 33
Anatomy you can actually touch - palpating your own body 34
The position of the pelvis in the saddle 38
Feel, practise, improve 40
Balancing the pelvis with the movement of the horse 43
4 Center of Stabilization - Upper Body and Head 54
Fundamental principles of anatomy 56
Body proportions and individual build 58
Anatomy you can actually touch - palpating your own body 63
The ideal posture of the upper body and head in the dressage and forward seats 65
Feel, practise, improve 67
Exercises on the horse 75
5 Centre of Independence - Shoulder Girdle and Hands 82
Fundamental principles of anatomy 84
Body proportions and individual build 86
Anatomy you can actually touch - palpating your own body 87
Arm and hand position in the dressage and forward seats 89
Feel, practise, improve 91
The independent hands of the rider 97
6 Centre of Balance/Suppleness - the Legs 110
Fundamental principles of anatomy 112
Body proportions and individual build 114
Anatomy you can actually touch - palpating your own body 114
The ideal position of the leg and foot in the dressage and forward seats 116
Feel, practise, improve 117
Exercises on the horse 124
7 Perfect Body Coordination - the application of the Aids 136
Effect and influence of the rider's weight on the back of the horse 138
Fluid transition and interplay between the dressage and forward seats 139
The rising trot - a difficult balancing act 141
The rider as initiator of the horse's movement 144
The secure seat 146
The secret of 'bracing the back' 147
Driving and restraining aids 150
Inside and outside aids 158
8 Problems - Causes - Correction 172
Balance problems 174
Symmetry 182
Stiffness 190
Slackness 196
Pain 202
Thinking 205
9 How the Horse Reflects the Rider 208
Parallels between rider and horse 210
Fun for horse and rider 211
Work on the tension of the upper body 212
Looking down at the horse 214
Crooked rider, crooked saddle, crooked horse 215
Crookedness in the forward seal 216
Problems with turning 217
Bracing the back 218
Problems with eagerness to go forward 220
Acknowledgements 222
Bibliography 223
