Table of Contents

Introduction - How to use this book The basic position - Alignment The essential connection - The seatbones Sitting still in the saddle - Plugging in Security, strength and power - Bear down Breathing - How to bear down and breathe Firming up the body - Muscle tone, and the learning process Sitting lightly - Supporting your own bodyweight Using the back - Narrowness (the pinch) Turns and circles demystified - An introduction to steering Leg, leg, leg? - Lower legs, the physical challenge Discovering a contact - Contact and the walk/halt transitions An independant seat - Matching the forces acting on your body On the bit? - Shaping the horse The rider/horse partnership - An overview of the interaction Resources Glossary Index

About the Author

Mary Wanless (BHSI, BSc physics and BSc applied sports coaching) is the author of the highly successful Ride With Your Mind, Ride With Your Mind Masterclass, For the Good of the Rider and For the Good of the Horse; she has also produced eight training videos. As well as teaching riders of all abilities, from club level to international, in the UK, Europe, USA, South Africa and Australia, she runs dismounted workshops and gives lecture demonstartions. She also lectures internationally on learning, bodymind integration and personal development. She is based at Overdale Equestrian Centre in Oxfordshire.