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E-News for May, 2008
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In This Issue
Developing the Young Horse, Part 7
Equestrian Pilates
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This month we complete the Training Level Test 1 with Lynn Palm.  We are fortunate to have Lynn continue with additional articles as it appears her recent series has been very popular with all of you.

We begin a series of articles on rider training with Equestrian Pilates to round out the month.

I had an opportunity at a recent horse show to try out some new tack and apparel.  I was quite impressed with the products and would like to invite any of you interested in sharing your experiences with products for both horse and rider with us.  I am hoping to select a couple of products and review them on the site.  Simply click the contact us and give us the product details and your feed back.   I think this would be a great way to network with one another and help in our selection of tack and apparel.

 
Best Regards,

chris wellie
C. Hoult,       
Editor
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Developing the Young Horse
The Goal Riding Training Level, Test 1, Part 7 
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By Lynn Palm
 
 
In this article we are continuing on with our practice ride of Training Level, Test 1. In the last article, we have just finished our medium walk from C to H, and we pick up the test here with free walk across the diagonal.
 
Riding Training Level, Test 1, Continued
7.  H-X-F Free walk; F-A medium walk. At H, turn across the diagonal in the free walk. Keep your seat moving and your legs in contact to keep your horse straight, but loosen your reins. The Directives read: "The free walk is a pace of relaxation in which the horse is allowed complete freedom to lower and stretch out his head and neck." There's a fine line here between too loose and too tense so this is a movement that needs to be practiced frequently at home after the trot and canter work. Be sure to keep him moving from behind with your seat and leg aids, and this will encourage him to stretch long and low. (MORE)



"Improve your ride off the horse with EQUESTRIAN PILATES®
 
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Pilates for the Equestrian
 
Dressage is the partnership between horse and rider that becomes art when both parties are working together in harmony. Seemingly effortless for both horse and rider, it actually requires many communications to be transmitted between horse and rider.  It is an incredibly fantastic sight to see when all the parts move as one.
How is it that somedays this magical experience comes easily and naturally and on others its seems unlikely or disastrous? How can you become a talented dressage horse and rider combination? Wouldn't it be great for spectators to be fascinated by the grace and beauty of you and your horse? (MORE) Learning dressage requires the rider to have a highly developed mind-body connection and the ability to convey a clear "language" to the horse.  All too often as riders or trainers we focus (more)