Exploring Dressage Techniques (Paperback, Illustrated Ed)

This long-awaited sequel to "Riding towards the Light" is an absorbing biomechanical and philosophical treatise on riding and training dressage horses. Using state-of-the-art findings, it debunks many commonly held dressage myths; it also explores the artistic heritage and antique techniques of classical riding which have stood the test of time. Each chapter offers fascinating discussion on a different aspect of riding/training, with many thought-provoking ideas for today's riders. Chapters include: "A fog of walks"; "The hovering trot"; "Rockin' and rollin' in the passage"; "The piaffe"; "Lateral work--in search of the mother load"; "Deep work"; "Confucius and the canter pirouette"; "Resistance and ethics"; "The myths of the outside rein"; and "Riding as a meditation." Basing his theories on a study of biomechanics and rare historic literature, the author begins to point a way through some of the contradictory and confusing tenets that exist in the world of dressage today. In "Exploring Dressage Technique," Paul Belasik offers some refreshing new ideas and revives a few forgotten ones.This book will be welcomed by thinking riders everywhere, by those involved in the sport of dressage, and above all, by those who care deeply about horses.