Balance vs. Motion in Dressage

Written by Jec Ballou The development of dressage horses falls more or less into two camps, with a lively debate dividing them over the proper foundation and training progression. For example, should a horse in the early work achieve precise and stable longitudinal balance prior to developing the motion of his gaits? Or, should the […]

Being Mindful in and out of the Saddle

Written by Jec Ballou Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Zen monks for a week last fall made me believe that a rider’s ultimate responsibility is to give up her ego. Human beings carry so much around—stress, thoughts, emotional pain, responsibilities—that we lose clarity in moment-to-moment living. This blocks our ability to genuinely “let go” in our lives, […]

This site uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.