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Centered Riding 1
Sally Swift covers the basic Centered Riding concepts, showing the relationship between the rider and the motion of the horse.
1 pages, DVD ROM
First published January 15, 1985
142 people are currently reading
1169 people want to read
About the author
Sally Swift
38 books10 followersAt seven years old, a scoliosis appeared which became part of her daily life and was later instrumental in her development of Centered Riding. After the diagnosis and well into her twenties, she worked with Mabel Ellsworth Todd, author of The Thinking Body. Mable Todd was Sally’s first teacher in “body awareness” and encouraged Sally to explore her new “awareness”. This early training was enhanced when Sally began, and continued, to study the Alexander Technique™ and applied it to riding. Sally’s work with the Alexander Technique™ enabled her to discard the back brace she had worn for many years. The Alexander Technique™ is a method of re-educating the mind and body towards greater balance and integration with special reference to posture and movement. The Technique did not change any of her basic principles but added significantly to the depth and subtlety of her teaching. Sally worked with areas of the body rather than with specific muscles and used a balanced approach, teaching to both sides of the brain.
Sally was home schooled until 7th grade by her loving mother and then attended Milton Academy in Milton Massachusetts for her 7th through 12th grade education. After graduating high school, Sally studied with Phyllis Linnington in England and Colonel Guirey of the Boots and Saddle Riding School in New York City and also taught riding at various private schools.
Although discouraged by Mabel Todd from going on to college, Sally was determined to change her career, since at that time riding was only taught by "hard-boiled spinsters" or grooms with no education. Not wanting to be viewed as a "hard-boiled spinster" and having the benefit of a wonderful early education, Sally decided to attend the University of Massachusetts from 1943 to 1945 and then transferred to Cornell University. She graduated from Cornell University in 1947 with a B.S. in agriculture. She worked for 21 years at the Holstein Association of America located in Brattleboro, Vermont, retiring in 1975. During those years, Sally was active in the Brattleboro Riding Club and the Brattleboro Dressage Show. Under her leadership, the Brattleboro Riding Club Horse Show grew to be the largest single day horse show in the United States.
Upon her retirement from the American Holstein Association, Sally began teaching riding to a few friends and used concepts of her work with Mabel Todd to develop the Four Basics of Centered Riding. Sally charged $10 per lesson or $50 per day. This was the beginning of Centered Riding®. Sally never advertised her work; her teaching reputation simply spread by word of mouth. Before long, she was going up and down the East coast with her teachings. In the early 1980’s, when Sally was in her early seventies, she began traveling to other locations in the U.S. and Canada, Australia and Europe. As she developed her techniques and taught people about the Four Basics of Centered Riding, the demand for Centered Riding clinics and Instructor clinics blossomed and has since become a worldwide organization with members all across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland. Clinics are now beginning to be held in France and Japan, and interest in Centered Riding has been expressed in Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, among other places.
Sally Swift’s book Centered Riding, now a classic, was published in 1985 and celebrated its twentieth year in print in 2005. It's been translated into fifteen languages (in 2008, Korean became the fifteenth language) and has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide. In 1986, Sally produced two videos Centered Riding: Tape 1 and Centered Riding: Tape 2, which are readily available now in both VHS and DVD formats. A second book, Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration was published in 2002 and is following in its predecessor's footsteps with nine foreign langua
Sally was home schooled until 7th grade by her loving mother and then attended Milton Academy in Milton Massachusetts for her 7th through 12th grade education. After graduating high school, Sally studied with Phyllis Linnington in England and Colonel Guirey of the Boots and Saddle Riding School in New York City and also taught riding at various private schools.
Although discouraged by Mabel Todd from going on to college, Sally was determined to change her career, since at that time riding was only taught by "hard-boiled spinsters" or grooms with no education. Not wanting to be viewed as a "hard-boiled spinster" and having the benefit of a wonderful early education, Sally decided to attend the University of Massachusetts from 1943 to 1945 and then transferred to Cornell University. She graduated from Cornell University in 1947 with a B.S. in agriculture. She worked for 21 years at the Holstein Association of America located in Brattleboro, Vermont, retiring in 1975. During those years, Sally was active in the Brattleboro Riding Club and the Brattleboro Dressage Show. Under her leadership, the Brattleboro Riding Club Horse Show grew to be the largest single day horse show in the United States.
Upon her retirement from the American Holstein Association, Sally began teaching riding to a few friends and used concepts of her work with Mabel Todd to develop the Four Basics of Centered Riding. Sally charged $10 per lesson or $50 per day. This was the beginning of Centered Riding®. Sally never advertised her work; her teaching reputation simply spread by word of mouth. Before long, she was going up and down the East coast with her teachings. In the early 1980’s, when Sally was in her early seventies, she began traveling to other locations in the U.S. and Canada, Australia and Europe. As she developed her techniques and taught people about the Four Basics of Centered Riding, the demand for Centered Riding clinics and Instructor clinics blossomed and has since become a worldwide organization with members all across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland. Clinics are now beginning to be held in France and Japan, and interest in Centered Riding has been expressed in Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Mexico, South Africa, among other places.
Sally Swift’s book Centered Riding, now a classic, was published in 1985 and celebrated its twentieth year in print in 2005. It's been translated into fifteen languages (in 2008, Korean became the fifteenth language) and has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide. In 1986, Sally produced two videos Centered Riding: Tape 1 and Centered Riding: Tape 2, which are readily available now in both VHS and DVD formats. A second book, Centered Riding 2: Further Exploration was published in 2002 and is following in its predecessor's footsteps with nine foreign langua
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 19, 2015
Centered Riding by Sally Swift is one of my very favorite books that I recommend to natural riders. There are so many well explained concepts of helping riders understand the subtle and not so subtle ways to generate the wonderful bonding between a human and a horse. It has been in my library it seems forever and is a must read for those who love horses.
I strongly recommend this especially for new owners who want to make their horse a friend and companion without fear.
I strongly recommend this especially for new owners who want to make their horse a friend and companion without fear.
February 19, 2018
Ms. Swift problem solves "the basics" for advanced riders helping them fix those little things that have been holding them back.
Great mental images and training techniques to help figure out where your balance and/or position may be working against you and your horse and how to correct them. I love the summery points at the end of all the training chapters to remind you of what you should take away and the exercises talked about for the chapter! I've already started using some of these for me when riding, and will probably start using them in lessons too!
No content issues.
March 28, 2017
Reading this is like having a therapeutic mind and body massage. The way she writes and the images she uses are totally clarifying-- this is a pleasure to read, not just for horseback riders, but for anyone who wants to be more present in their body.
September 21, 2019
A must read for all riders.
August 8, 2017
At first glance, when reading about all the imagery Sally Swift uses, my first thought was: ‘How much pot must this woman have smoked to come up with this?’
Imagine your legs are roots of a tree, a rider’s arms should be so long that they can hold the bit with the hands instead of reins…
But by making her explanations so visual, it actually helped going beyond each explanation and creating the perfect mental image for each exercise.
Her teachings are of the most basic nature when you come to think of it, but it’s the basics that most equestrians (at whatever level) struggle with.
I’ve learned how to fix my problem with leaning back with the building blocks, or that my mare gets even more tense when she spooks because she feels my holding my breath and so much more.
Centered Riding is a must-read for all riders at any level.
Imagine your legs are roots of a tree, a rider’s arms should be so long that they can hold the bit with the hands instead of reins…
But by making her explanations so visual, it actually helped going beyond each explanation and creating the perfect mental image for each exercise.
Her teachings are of the most basic nature when you come to think of it, but it’s the basics that most equestrians (at whatever level) struggle with.
I’ve learned how to fix my problem with leaning back with the building blocks, or that my mare gets even more tense when she spooks because she feels my holding my breath and so much more.
Centered Riding is a must-read for all riders at any level.
December 1, 2011
"Centered Riding" was recommended to me by an Alexander Teacher the first year I took up riding. As I remember I did "look through" it with interest, but was left with an impression that I hadn't really read the book since I had a hard time associating the concepts with physical movements -- having ridden so little. So I took the book up again and discovered that actually I had been using the ideas put forward these past years. What a surprise! Re-reading it was most interesting and I found that some of the tips can be applied to ashtanga yoga as well.
January 7, 2016
An absolute must for anyone that considers them selves a horse-person I have read it, loaned it, lost, bought it over and again!
May 14, 2022
This book should be a staple in every equestrian's library. I adored this book as it got me thinking about all of my uncentered riding habits I tend to do in the saddle. Through Sally Swift's writing and the combined illustrations, this book has helped correct (or at least made me aware of) some of my unbalanced, uncentered riding habits.
While reading this book, I also realized how I don't breathe deeply or relax my body enough while riding. To be fair, there are so many things to think about while riding that it's easy to focus on what you're doing with your body and your horse that you forget to breathe deeply. Or sometimes as a rider you focus so much on your position that you forget to breathe because you're trying so hard to get everything correct. Swift's book has helped me realize how breathing is essential while riding. Even the simple tip of exhaling your breath between upward and downward transitions has helped my riding so much. I cannot recommend this book enough!
While reading this book, I also realized how I don't breathe deeply or relax my body enough while riding. To be fair, there are so many things to think about while riding that it's easy to focus on what you're doing with your body and your horse that you forget to breathe deeply. Or sometimes as a rider you focus so much on your position that you forget to breathe because you're trying so hard to get everything correct. Swift's book has helped me realize how breathing is essential while riding. Even the simple tip of exhaling your breath between upward and downward transitions has helped my riding so much. I cannot recommend this book enough!
January 28, 2018
Amazing book with great tips for a more balanced and centered approach to horse riding! I found the images she used for describing every teaching very useful, and remember them every time I try the exercises with my horses, for example the "stumps" instead of legs, or the string pulling my head up like a marionette. Highly recommended for every equestrian who wants more than just an obedient horse, and actively wants to work on themselves and their own body balance.
April 8, 2021
I love this book! It’s full of fantastic visualizations that I have started using as both a rider and a riding instructor. I also really enjoyed and appreciated the inclusion of ideas of tai chi and ki, since I have been both a practitioner and sometimes instructor for over two decades. Once you see and feel the relationship between moving from your center in martial arts and moving from your center in riding, it’s impossible to separate the two again. And I wouldn’t want to.
All five stars.
All five stars.
June 19, 2025
A reread of this classic for me this June.
This book is always a pleasure to return to, as it is full of sound advice that is usefully applicable for virtually all riders (and other athletes as well). Clear and easy to follow, with a ton of clear and useful illustrations, metaphors, and explanations. The entire book is great, but if you can't commit and at least want to pick up the key points, read the first few chapters, the last, and the third appendix.
This book is always a pleasure to return to, as it is full of sound advice that is usefully applicable for virtually all riders (and other athletes as well). Clear and easy to follow, with a ton of clear and useful illustrations, metaphors, and explanations. The entire book is great, but if you can't commit and at least want to pick up the key points, read the first few chapters, the last, and the third appendix.
April 16, 2024
Salt Swift breaks down riding into small understandable bits. She teaches the reader to use imagery to become a better rider. Using her techniques I'm learning how to better communicate with my horse and to be a more subtle yet effective rider. This is not a book to read once and put down. I will continue to return to this book throughout my riding career.
March 27, 2021
"Harmonie von Reiter und Pferd" ist ein sehr weises Buch für Theoretiker ... aber es ist langweilig. Ich musste mich in Teilen aufregen, was nicht der Punkt war. Ich kann es nur wärmstens empfehlen, aber was das Lesen angeht, ist es leider, wie gesagt, langweilig.
May 31, 2021
I only give “life changing” books a 5 star. I find my subconscious referencing this book when I’m riding making it easier for me to consciously ride more balanced and correctly. This is definitely a book I will re-read soon so I can absorb even more of its benefits. This has definitely made me more aware of myself in the saddle.
August 15, 2024
I had a hard time getting back into horse riding after a 12-year break. This book was incredibly helpful. It’s well-written and focuses on strengthening the bond between the horse and rider while enhancing mental awareness and physical control.
April 9, 2018
Centered Riding is a book about how to balance yourself on a horse. It is typically recommended for horse riders. I found this book helpful for my riding.
March 3, 2019
Centered Riding changed my life completely. I improved my riding and through that my horse got way better. Working on my seat changed everything. Im working on myself now rather than on my horse.
August 25, 2021
it's what you read so that you can feel when you get it right.
January 29, 2022
Hilarious illustrations
April 7, 2022
I think this was really helpful and made me see horsemanship with other eyes. It is a very old book but I think it is a classic for us riders
May 12, 2022
Niektóre treści nie maja już odzwierciedlenia biorąc pod uwagę obecny stan wiedzy.
August 17, 2022
This book is obviously older but it should be required reading for every rider. Imagery is so powerful and centered riding should be everyone’s ultimate goal.
June 13, 2023
short, sweet, and informative
July 8, 2024
Amazing book with so much detail on improving your seat and suppleness. Recommend to all riders!
March 4, 2025
This took a while for me to read. Suspect it’s not the best format for me to learn. However some good takeaways.
May 29, 2025
Great at explaining things and creating vivid imagery
Helped me a lot with connecting to my horse and made me feel more confident in my riding
Helped me a lot with connecting to my horse and made me feel more confident in my riding
January 22, 2024
Myslím že tahle knížka má potenciál pomoct tolika lidem! I když to není lehké počtení, za rok se mi společně s tréninky opravdu zlepšil sed.
Jak říká poslední věta: A váš sen o ježdění se splní.
Jak říká poslední věta: A váš sen o ježdění se splní.
October 6, 2016
This book has changed my life.
Sally Swift had given riding instruction for many years before her student's finally pushed her to organize her advice and make it a book. Centered Riding is loaded with dozens of fantastic visualizations to help you ride -with- your horse.
Written by someone who has struggled with scoliosis since she was a child, you would think it be interesting that she write a book about riding centered. In reality, working with physical therapists, riding trainers, and understanding bio-mechanics, she was able to overcome her physical disability and make her riding career something really spectacular.
Enough about the author though, lets talk about what this book really does for your horse. The entire message of this book is riding with functional equitation that gets out of your horse's way. Focusing on things that plague most riders like rigid hips, stiff back, poor balance, and a tense upper body, this book breaks everything down into foundation building blocks that any rider can understand. The book continues to reference these basics as you work though the chapters like: sitting the trot, jumping, lateral movements, all of these more difficult things are explained by constantly relating to what you started with.
Centered Riding has changed my entire approach to horsemanship. Not only are I and my horse better balanced, but I am also a lot calmer during our rides. My emotions and senses are completely in tune with her. My anger and frustration is gone.
This book is great to read through, but it will take some time. To anyone wanting to read, take my advice: Read a chapter, then ride and practice it. Don't try to read too much at one time, or you will overlook certain aspects. I found myself completely inspired to ride every time I picked it up. I couldn't wait to get out there and try to ride with "soft eyes" or "stubby legs". This should also be used as a reference book ongoing. Swift covers many topics from beginners to advanced riders, and each section discusses practical trouble shooting and self-diagnosing your mistakes. Keep this on hand, as a guide to look back on when you're in a rut. It will make a difference.
The book and it's sequel (which I will read soon) can be bought on Amazon at the links below.
https://amzn.com/0312127340
http://a.co/2rLsbot
Hoping others enjoy this as much as I have. Drop your comments below and share for other riders to find this great resource too.
Happy Riding <3
Sally Swift had given riding instruction for many years before her student's finally pushed her to organize her advice and make it a book. Centered Riding is loaded with dozens of fantastic visualizations to help you ride -with- your horse.
Written by someone who has struggled with scoliosis since she was a child, you would think it be interesting that she write a book about riding centered. In reality, working with physical therapists, riding trainers, and understanding bio-mechanics, she was able to overcome her physical disability and make her riding career something really spectacular.
Enough about the author though, lets talk about what this book really does for your horse. The entire message of this book is riding with functional equitation that gets out of your horse's way. Focusing on things that plague most riders like rigid hips, stiff back, poor balance, and a tense upper body, this book breaks everything down into foundation building blocks that any rider can understand. The book continues to reference these basics as you work though the chapters like: sitting the trot, jumping, lateral movements, all of these more difficult things are explained by constantly relating to what you started with.
Centered Riding has changed my entire approach to horsemanship. Not only are I and my horse better balanced, but I am also a lot calmer during our rides. My emotions and senses are completely in tune with her. My anger and frustration is gone.
This book is great to read through, but it will take some time. To anyone wanting to read, take my advice: Read a chapter, then ride and practice it. Don't try to read too much at one time, or you will overlook certain aspects. I found myself completely inspired to ride every time I picked it up. I couldn't wait to get out there and try to ride with "soft eyes" or "stubby legs". This should also be used as a reference book ongoing. Swift covers many topics from beginners to advanced riders, and each section discusses practical trouble shooting and self-diagnosing your mistakes. Keep this on hand, as a guide to look back on when you're in a rut. It will make a difference.
The book and it's sequel (which I will read soon) can be bought on Amazon at the links below.
https://amzn.com/0312127340
http://a.co/2rLsbot
Hoping others enjoy this as much as I have. Drop your comments below and share for other riders to find this great resource too.
Happy Riding <3
February 19, 2017
Gift from co-worker
March 9, 2016
Sally Swift developed her method of riding through her own riding experience and the body consciousness she worked hard to attain in her efforts to manage her scoliosis. Her four basics (soft eyes, easy breathing, centering, and building blocks) help riders sink into their seats and stay relaxed and connected to their horses as they ride, which in turn helps their horses carry them with ease. She uses a lot of imagery to help readers visualize what they need to do (for example, “hold your reins as if they were little birds; don’t crush them or knock their heads together, but don’t let them fly away”). Her suggestions are summarized in an appendix at the end of the book, which is helpful, since there are a lot of things to think about as you are riding. My riding instructor recommended her books/videos to me, as she’s a proponent of Sally’s methods, and I’m finding them enjoyable. I’m a little overwhelmed about putting it all into practice (there’s so much to remember, and when I concentrate I tense up, which is a no-no), but I think it will get easier with the doing. She has a second book which gets into some more exercises one can do – including some from the ground – which I just started reading. I’m hoping it will give me some practice between lessons, when I can’t be on a horse. I like that Sally’s method teaches more connectedness with one’s horse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews