06/02/2026
Good advice.
Most riders see the dressage arena as a set of lines to be mastered... a test of precision where the goal is to keep the horse between the letters and on the track.
But when we prioritize the "shape" or the "track" over the horse, we often inadvertently create tension and a lack of clarity. We become so focused on the geometry that we stop noticing if the horse is actually with us, and understanding our questions, or if they are simply bracing against our hand to get through the corner.
This month in the Academy for Classical Horsemanship, we are stripping away the pressure of "perfection" to focus on Arena Navigation and Geometry as a tool for communication.
When a horse is anxious or unsure, they look for clarity. By riding clear, consistent lines, we provide that clarity.
When you ride a 20-meter circle or a well-defined diagonal, you are providing your horse with a roadmap. If the riderโs aids are precise and the intent is calm, clear, and focused, that "roadmap" becomes a safety net. The horse stops wondering what comes next and starts focusing on how they are carrying themselves through the turn and the help you are offering.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
If you want to move from "making tracks" to "guiding you partner," start with these three pillars:
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ: Every line has a purpose. Are you riding that circle to improve the bend, or just to get back to the track? Your horse can feel the difference between an aimless drift and an intentional turn.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฃ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฒ: A good turn doesnโt happen at the corner. It happens several strides before it. If you are rushing into your geometry, you are asking your horse to compensate for your lack of planning and preparation.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ก๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ: Use the geometry to see where your horse is "leaking" energy - out through the shoulder or dropping to the inside, or maybe deviating with a hind leg. The arena lines are the mirror. They aren't there to judge your riding, they are there to show you exactly where the conversation needs to be refined.
๐ฅ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ง๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ต... ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ.
Next time you are in the arena, I want you to experiment with your eyes. We often get caught looking at our horseโs neck or the immediate spot on the ground where we want our next stride to land. This creates a short-term perspective that makes the horse feel like they are working in a box... not to mention leaves us short-sighted for where and how much we need to prepare.
Before you start a figure or movement, take your eyes up and fix your gaze on a specific point on the fence beyond where your path ends.
Donโt just look at the letter. Look through the space. Notice how, when your eyes and your intent are focused on the "destination," your body naturally aligns, your posture softens, and your horse is much more likely to follow your lead without you having to "force" the turn.
Stop trying to "get through" the figures. Instead, use them to invite your horse into a deeper, more balanced conversation and partnership.
Give this a try and let me know how it goes for you and your horse.
