 December is suddenly here and we are busy with shopping and holiday preparations. Our Marketplace Directory is growing with the addition of several new retailers. We have gifts, jewelry, tack and apparel as well as a fabulous line of Equestrian gift wrap! We are expanding our categories to include fitness training, yoga, pilates, books and videos tailored to dressage riders. Our Business Services and Horse Care categories provide resources for both personal and business development. Many of our retailers are offering discounts and promotional pricing. Happy Holidays and Best Wished for a Happy New Year!
Best Regards,
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Developing the Young Horse
 "Working In Hand - Pivoting"
PALM PARTNERSHIP TRAINING™
By Lynn Palm
Besides being important for showmanship events, working in hand is very beneficial to horses of all ages and disciplines. It teaches the young horse to be responsive to his handler and gives him skills necessary for work under saddle. In-hand work sharpens the older horse and provides alternative lessons when circumstances do not allow for ridden lessons.
If you are interested in moving up the levels of dressage, it is important that your horse clearly understands a maneuver called the "pivot." The pivot is similar to the turn on the haunches, where the horse's forehand pivots around the hindquarters, except the inside hind leg stays stationary during the turn rather than stepping up and down.
Once your horse is consistent with doing the turn on the haunches, turn on the forehand, and yielding, you can teach him how to pivot. I will explain how to do this maneuver teaching it from the horse's left side and asking him to move away by pivoting his forehand to the right. Be sure to teach it on both sides.
Position yourself between the horse and a wall or fence. Put your left hand on the halter, and your right hand on the point of the shoulder (the bottom or base of the shoulder). It is critical that the horse stay straight from his head through his neck and body for this maneuver. Use your hand on the halter to gently keep his head and neck in straight alignment with his body.
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 Practice Makes Perfect. Five Weeks to Flawless Freestyle,Part III by Beth Hall
Parts 1 and 2 of the series focused on tempo. Now you need to turn your attention to musical phrasing as you join choreographic patterns to music. Riding choreography to music requires complex multi-tasking, equal parts riding, listening, and counting. If you tune out your horse, technique and patterns fall apart. If you tune out the music, you can be lost within a few beats.
A phrase in music can be defined as a "section of a musical line, somewhat comparable to a clause or a sentence in language." While this description is helpful to trained musicians, it doesn't necessarily assist the rider struggling to put choreography with music. Most pieces of music contain more than one melody. When the first melody ends and you notice a new melody begin, you've heard a complete phrase. Listen also for striking differences in instrumentation to define phrasing. If the first phrase features a piano solo and you hear a trumpet take over, the change likely signals a new phrase.
This week's freestyle skill practice separates listening and riding tasks until you're ready to join the two without feeling overwhelmed. Put the program into practice from the ground up and you simplify the process of riding your choreography to music.
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Free Classified Ads
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WOW, what a deal! For every purchase you make from a DressageOnline retailer you will receive a FREE Classified ad on the site. Make your purchase through the site, send your ad details and the name of the retailer you used with the promo code to our Contact Us and we will post the ad. This is a limited time Holiday offer that expires December 31st. Happy shopping!
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