| Take our quiz to see which! | | | | compared to your seat. |
| If you have to ask this question chances are fairly | | | | 4. Do you support your horse through its downward |
| good that you're the later but just in case you're | | | | transitions? Most people collapse in their position trying |
| wondering you may want to take our quiz to be sure. | | | | to stay soft and with their horse causing their horse to |
| 1. Are there days when going through the "in" gate | | | | loose its balance. |
| feels more like you're riding through the gauntlet? | | | | 5. Do you understand the importance of diagonals and |
| 2. When you ride on the rail do you feel like an Indy car | | | | leads and the role they play in your horses balance? |
| driving being smashed into the wall? | | | | Most of those questions relate to your horse's balance |
| 3. Do the words "tally ho" cause you to grab on to the | | | | and that would sum up the difference between you |
| nearest piece of hair or anything within your reach? | | | | actually being a rider or just going along for the ride. If |
| 4. Does throwing your body forward and grabbing | | | | you can properly affect your horse's balance then |
| onto something sound like a good strategy | | | | "congratulations" you may be well on your way or |
| sometimes? | | | | perhaps have already arrived when it comes to being |
| 5. Can you feel your horse laughing from time to time? | | | | a rider. |
| 6. Do you feel like your horse is on a tractor beam | | | | If you're not sure how to answer the last five |
| moving toward the horse in front of him? | | | | questions and you don't like your answers to the first |
| 7. Do you feel a strong impulse to have a glass of | | | | seven then you may want to consider getting some |
| wine or other libation before each ride? | | | | help in the form of training. For the greatest value I |
| If these questions seem silly to you then you may | | | | recommend a good Dressage trainer, someone |
| pass on reading the rest of this article. For the rest of | | | | whose ego isn't too big and teaches in terms you |
| you by all means please continue. | | | | understand. If the trainer doesn't make sense, speaks |
| Now for some serious questions! | | | | in what seems like a foreign language or talks down to |
| 1. Do you know what it means to have your horse in | | | | you, find a different trainer. |
| front of your leg? I'm referring to impulsion and having | | | | It's not a matter of time spent on your horse that |
| your horse moving up into your hands for a | | | | improves your skills. Without proper training you will |
| "connection". | | | | only continue to perpetuate and find new and bigger |
| 2. Do you understand the concept of an opening rein, a | | | | bad habits often at your horse's expense. Time |
| direct rein and the importance of your outside rein | | | | practicing proper instruction is the only way you can |
| when it comes to your horse's balance? | | | | get to the point where you can consider yourself a |
| 3. Do you stop your horse with your hands or your | | | | "rider". |
| seat? Hands (reins) are really quite ineffective | | | | |