Exploring Dressage Technique: Journeys into the Art of Classical Riding

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.