10/27/2026
The Magic Is in the Give. But Do You Really Understand Why?
You’ve heard it time and time again in dressage training.
The magic is in the give.
And while we all know we’re supposed to give, have you ever stopped to think about WHY it matters so much?
Think about this for a moment.
Have you ever stood beside a horse, resting your hand against their body?
What happens if you leave your hand there with a little pressure?
Eventually, they begin to lean into it.
Horses naturally tend to lean into steady pressure. And this is something we need to understand when we ride.
Let’s take the half halt, for example.
We ask the horse to rebalance. We close our fingers, engage our seat, and create a moment of connection.
And here is where the magic either happens… or gets lost.
If we stay in the HOLD phase too long, we give the horse something to lean against.
Instead of becoming lighter and shifting more weight toward the hindquarters, the horse can begin to lean on the contact and fall onto the forehand.
Now, imagine something different.
You ask for the half halt, and the moment the horse responds, you GIVE.
You soften your hand.
You allow the energy to continue forward.
Suddenly, there is no fixed pressure for the horse to lean against.
The horse has the opportunity to find its own balance, rock back toward the haunches, and carry itself.
BOOM. There is your magic.
And here is the part I love most about this concept.
The theory is incredibly simple.
The ex*****on? Not so much.
Knowing exactly when to ask, how much to ask, and, most importantly, when to give takes an incredible amount of timing, feel, and skill.
A fraction of a second can make the difference between a horse that leans on your hand and one that begins to carry itself.
And that is why we practice.
Every ride. Every transition. Every half halt.
Not to become stronger with our aids, but to become more precise, more thoughtful, and more aware of the horse beneath us.
Because great riding isn’t about how much we can hold.
It’s about how little we need to hold before we can give.
And that, to me, is where the real art of dressage begins. 🐴
Next time you ride, pay attention to the moment you give. You might be surprised by what your horse offers you in return.
Pictured: Julia riding Peanutbutter Jelly Time
