Ridden: Dressage from the Horse's Point of View

by Ulrike Thiel

What does the horse feel when a rider is crooked in the saddle? What is it like to go faster or slower, to round curves and travel straight, with an unbalanced load to carry? What goes through the horse's mind when he is over-flexed and over-aided...when he is forced into biomechanically unsound positions? What happens when a prey animal (the horse) must learn to defeat his own preservation instinct and perform on cue with a predator (humankind) clinging to his back? In this important book, Dr. Ulrike Thiel—a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, sport psychologist, dressage rider, riding instructor, judge, and Xenophon Society classical trainer—examines these important questions, and others. With the use of exercises and astute comparisons, Thiel gives readers an eye-opening tour of the realm of the ridden dressage horse, ensuring we all work to make the job of "being ridden" part of a mutual pursuit—a dance involving two engaged and caring partners, a friendship binding mind and body.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2012

Reviews

[Sheri 🇨🇦 · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title and synopsis of this book could not have been more misleading. The perspective of the horse is not covered at all-this book is filled with generalities and strange personal riding philosophies of the author (such as comparing dressage to skiing...huh?)

The author is clearly outraged by hyperflexion, as are all caring horse people, and this book is an open letter to the dressage community on that topic.

The number of photos of helmetless riders is astonishing. Stating within the text that helmets should always be worn isn’t enough: she should have omitted these photos.

I do praise the author for reminding us that classical dressage does not mean the rider position should have the upper body leaning far behind the vertical, which is currently popular.

I ordered this book online, but had I first had the chance to flip through it, I would have passed. Cannot recommend to anyone seeking to improve their riding education.

For an excellent book from the horse’s point of view, instead try “The Dressage Horse Manifesto” by Yvonne Barteau

[Jo-Ann Rosenkranz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well wrote