Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 7
Foreword by Bent Branderup 10
Introduction 12
The Rider’s Mind 14
The Power of Samadhi: Ride in the Space between Your Thoughts 16
It All Starts with Awareness 19
Survival Responses 21
Always Back to Basics! 23
Empty Shells 24
Now Is the Moment! 26
Imagine... 28
What Do You Fear? 29
The Rider’s Body 32
Who Needs Fixing? 34
When Crooked Feels Straight… 35
Healthy Body, Healthy Mind 37
Defining ‘the Seat’ 38
The Development of the Seat throughout History 39
Four Cornerstones in Riding 41
Seat Training? 42
Comparable Parts 43
Being Centered, also from the Ground 45
The Spiraling Spine 48
The Pelvis and the True Core 49
Seat Bones for Him and Her 50
Move to Sit Still! 51
Breathing in All Directions 52
Breathe into Your Half Halt 54
Pushing Hands 56
‘The Swipe’ 58
Wag Your Tail! 59
The Making of a Good Rider 61
The Inside Hand and Rein 63
What to Do with That Outside Rein 65
Trotting with Your Nose 66
The Biomechanics and Training of the Horse 68
Preconditions to Training 70
The Development of Balance 72
The Movement of Horse and Rider 74
This Thing about Collection 77
To Bit or Not to Bit 79
Six Important Factors to be Effective in Your Communication with Your
Horse 82
Playing With Focus, Relaxation and Energy Using Materials 85
