Shimmering Princess - Building a solid Riding Foundation [Slideshow]

Princess learnt to take the bridle by herself.

She learnt to come and pick me up at the mounting block

She is standing patiently for me to mount.

What a good girl! I have the habit to always say thank you to my horses no matter how small the request. They are not our slaves but our valued friends and partners in crime!

Can she be light in the bridle and responsive to the leg?

Princess learnt that it is her responsibility to keep gait and direction. My job is to have a solid focus and to leave her alone when she is doing the right thing. Giving a horse long reins is a great way to test this.

She learnt to trot with rhythm and relaxation in a long and low frame

When transitioning from bitless to riding with a bit, I like to use this headstall. It transfers half of the pressure on the nose and half onto the bit. The bit can’t press down on the sensitive tongue and bars of the horse.

Responsiveness to basic leg and seat aids: yielding the shoulders

Yielding the Hindquarters to light pressure of my leg

On the ground, Princess already learnt to move with relaxation and to stretch her neck forward down. She could transfer this skill very quickly to riding.

When horses turn, they will point their nose to the outside and throw all the weight onto the inside shoulder. This is not beneficial when riding. Princess already learnt how to bend around turns.

She learnt to canter with impulsion - I can let the reins loose and trust her that she will not take off.

She learnt to pick the correct lead in both directions. She can also execute simple drop-to a-trot lead changes

Using simple obstacles add purpose to the riding. All the basic skills learnt, will make perfect sense to the horse. Princess loves exercises like going sideways over a pole! It engages her mind and she can show off how smart she is! It gives me a reason to praise her - that`s how I create eagerness to please.

Not only a practical thing to do: Opening and closing gates. It is a great way to test understanding and responsiveness to all basic leg and seat aids.

Princess masters this task very well!

Well done, Princess! You are ready to go home to your lucky owner.