Centered Riding 2

Sally Swift's "Centered Riding" is a classic equestrian text and has sold over 150,000 copies worldwide. Its publication 21 years ago caused a revolution in riding by demonstrating how good use of the body can make a world of difference to both rider and horse. The author is widely known for her innovative teaching philosophy stressing body awareness, the value of 'soft eyes', proper breathing, centring and balance, and her methods enable horse and rider to achieve harmony, working together naturally and without pain. Through the use of vivid, unusual and highly creative images, and a thorough knowledge of human and equine anatomy, Sally Swift enables the conscientious equestrian to reassess habitual responses in order to ride in natural positions, and achieve ever-rising goals with comfort, vitality and precision.

Centered Riding is not a style of riding as are dressage, hunter seat, or Western. Rather, it is a way of reeducating a rider’s mind and body to achieve greater balance in order to better communicate with the horse. Founder Sally Swift revolutionized riding by showing that good use of the human body makes a world of difference on horseback. Early in her work, she established what she calls the “Four Basics” — centering, breathing, soft eyes, and building blocks—which, together with grounding, are the main tenets of her method. When a rider learns and maintains these basics, then harmony between horse and human is possible. Sally Swift’s first book, Centered Riding, made its revolutionary appearance in 1985 and continues as one of the best-selling horse books of all time. This second book doesn't replace the first one, it complements it. In the intervening years, Centered Riding continued to evolve, and Sally inevitably developed many new concepts and fresh imagery, all of which are presented here.

5 minutes a day is all the time you need to achieve: • Better balance in the saddle • Improved body control from head to toe • Increased influence with your seat • Flawless leg position and subtle aiding • Quieter, softer hands and contact your horse can trust • Less physical stiffness, tension, and riding-related pain • Confidence in your ability to communicate with your horse! PLUS, in just 5 minutes you can improve a horse that's: • Unwilling to go forward or "dead" to the leg • Hollow-backed, high-headed, or above the bit • Heavy on the forehand and unbalanced • A chronic "puller," "leaner," or "head-tosser"! Start or end your riding sessions with Wendy Murdoch's 5-Minute Fixes, and you'll be amazed how quickly you can replace old habits with new ones, get out of your "riding rut," and transform what you can't do into what you can do…naturally, capably, comfortably, and consistently alongside a happy riding partner—your horse.

When Centered Riding was first published in 1985, it became one of the best-selling horse books of all time. Since then, the centered riding method has continued to evolve and the author has developed many new concepts, all of which are presented here with the aim of achieving a successful partnership in which horse and rider work efficiently together in joyful harmony.

This is a new release of the original 1948 edition.

Step-by-step lessons teach riders of all ages basics, including developing a good relationship with the horse, mounting and riding, and progresses to more advanced skills, including jumps.

"90-minute DVD, all 40 fundamentals fully demonstrated with narration by the author"--Sticker on dust jacket.

Within riding exists a fundamental conflict of interest: The rider needs to have control—her confidence depends on her ability to control the balance of her own body as well as that of her very powerful horse. The horse, by nature, needs to feel free—free in both mind and body to express himself through movement. In When Two Spines Align, author Beth Baumert, writer and editor at the equestrian magazine Dressage Today, resolves the freedom-control enigma by taking a close look at the individual components that make up riding and dressage and providing practical ways riders can learn to harness the balance, energies, and forces at play. Readers will discover how to use “positive tension” and their body’s “power lines” to become balanced and effective in the saddle. They will then find ways to understand and manage the horse's balance and “coordination challenges.” Ultimately, the rider learns to regulate and monitor the horse's rhythm, energy, flexion, alignment, bend, and line of travel by properly aligning her spine with his. When the center of gravity of a balanced rider is over the center of gravity of a balanced horse, that place where two spines align becomes the hub for rider and horse harmony.