Lessons in Lightness: The Art of Educating the Horse

by Mark Russell, Andrea W. Steele, Bettina Drummond (Foreword)

Drawing on the theories of the old dressage masters-Riding in Lightness shows how a rider at any level can greatly benefit from traditional dressage techniques and exercises. Written by a thirty-year veteran horse trainer, this is the only book that takes the core elements of classical dressage and applies them as the basis for good general horsemanship today.
The reader learns
-Relax the horse and release tension from the horse's body
- Open energy blocks, allowing access to direct all parts of the horse's body
- Direct the horse in an academic way, building the strength necessary for the horse to balance in self-carriage

With this step-by-step program, both horse and rider learn from each other. The rider is trained to focus on subtle nuances of communication, while the horse develops gymnastically so he can respond correctly to the aids. Once
the horse masters the basic exercises, the rider not only has a very ridable horse but one that can perform and advance in almost any discipline for which it is suited-from western pleasure and performance riding to show jumping and dressage.

Genres: Horses

200 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

Mark Russell is the author of God Is Disappointed in You and Apocrypha Now. He also writes the comic book series Prez and The Flintstones for DC Comics. He lives and works in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews

[Susan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like all of the well though tout explained phases. Russell's explanation of the half-halt is fantastic and got through to me. Being aware of the horses needs and taking the time it takes to have smooth transitions before moving into harder movements makes so much sense.