Crystal Forsell Dressage

06/02/2025

Phin is starting the day with posture!

04/25/2025

Scrubby scrub!
I had a little help getting ready for the workshop this weekend today!

01/16/2025

Do you problems like these?

👉Horses that won’t go energetically forward
👉Hang or lean on one or both reins
👉Inaccurate figures
👉Not picking up the correct lead
👉Canter leads that feel very different
👉Horses that brace or resist aids
👉Connection issues
👉Losing points in the show ring
👉Habitual crookedness causing asymmetrical development increasing lameness risk and saddle fit issues
👉Challenges with advanced movements due to lack of straightness and alignment
👉Unbalanced transitions

I have your answer in the Steps to Straightness 5 Day Challenge.
There are only a few days left before we get started!
Because I know that not everyone gets 5 days in a row to ride, you get access to all of the exercises for 2 weeks!
Click the link in the comments to get signed up!

01/12/2025

The training scale, also called the training pyramid for horse training consists of six elements that build upon each other to create a well-rounded, balanced, and supple horse. Here's a brief breakdown:

🐎 Rhythm: The foundation of the scale, rhythm refers to the horse's ability to maintain a consistent footfall, tempo and energy in each gait (walk, trot, canter).
🐎 Relaxation (Suppleness): The horse should be physically and mentally relaxed, free of tension, and supple in its movements, allowing it to respond softly to the rider's aids.
🐎 Connection: Also known as "contact," this refers to the horse accepting the rider's aids and maintaining a steady, elastic contact with the bit.
🐎 Impulsion: The horse generates controlled power from its hindquarters, resulting in energy and forward movement without rushing.
🐎 Straightness: The horse moves evenly on both sides, aligned correctly along its body, which makes transitions and movements easier and more balanced.
🐎 Collection: The ultimate goal of the training scale, collection allows the horse to shift more weight to its hindquarters, resulting in increased balance, agility, and the ability to perform more advanced movements.

The training scale can be progressive so that a horse move from step to the next, working their way up, but most of the time we are making a spiral around the pyramid. You don’t stay only on one step until you graduate to the next one.

We expect to see elements 1-5 to some degree in all horses. Once a horse reaches second level, we expect to see collection as well.

For example a training level horse is not expected to have the same degree of connection, impulsion, and straightness that a grand prix horse will have.

One of the most important pieces of the training scale for any horse, no matter what discipline is straightness.

Straightness is what keeps a horse balanced, which makes him nicer to ride and sound.

A horse can not carry weight on his hindquarters (collection) if he is crooked.

This is one of my favorite things to teach about and I have helped so many horses and riders create more straightness leading to happier, easier rides!

Sign up for the Steps to Straightness 5 Day Challenge to level up your ride and make it more fun! 👇

https://dressagetogo.samcart.com/products/stepstostraightness

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas Instagram Post

12/17/2024

As we are heading towards the end of the year, I am preparing for 2025, I wanted to give you an update.
I am working on the calendar of in person events, I’ll be taking some horses and clients to shows. I also usually judge a few schooling shows per year.
I also already have three continuing education events on the calendar for myself already! 🥳
If anyone would like to host a clinic with me, please reach out, I’m happy to travel.

In Dressage To Go land, I am running another challenge in January, (look for the announcement and sign up soon!)
I am also planning out new content, feel free to reply and tell me what you want!

If you aren’t already in the Open Minds Dressage group, please join, I am planning to get more active in there and start some great conversations!

I’ll be adding a new service this year, video feedback. Here’s how it works:
You send me a 5-10 minute video of an issue you have, or dressage test.
Then I’ll send you a screen record of your video with my voiceover giving you real-time feedback. You can also shoot me back your questions.
It’s a great way to get quick, private feedback from a fresh set of eyes without having to worry about connectivity for Zoom in the arena!

Alright, I hope you are doing well and getting to enjoy the holiday season!

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!

10/31/2024

10/30/2024

We are closing in on your last chance to join us! Registration ends 10/31!

Is your horse spending more time in the field than under saddle? You start each ride with good intentions, but after a few circles, boredom sets in. You find yourself doom-scrolling through conflicting advice from internet trainers, wondering if you're doing more harm than good.

The Steps to Straightness 5 Day Challenge is here to change all that.

This challenge is designed to take you from overwhelmed to overjoyed with your riding progress.

Click below to discover how you can join and access personalized audio lessons, expert support, and a community of like-minded riders.

• Convenient coaching through the Dressage To Go app
• Daily videos and check-ins to keep you on track
• Tailored lessons for beginners to advanced riders
• Exclusive techniques to improve your horse's soundness and balance

Imagine transitioning from worrying about calling the vet to enjoying a blissful ride on your horse again.

You’re tired of kicking and pulling and want to make riding fun again.

Take the first step towards joyful, accomplished riding. Click now to learn more and get ready to trade in that post-ride ibuprofen for a victory lap!

https://dressagetogo.samcart.com/products/stepstostraightness

10/27/2024

By the time you've taken care of your responsibilities, done your barn chores and fixed the board your horse just broke, there's barely any time to ride and daylight is burning.

There’s not time to haul your horse out to a lesson if you can even get on your trainer's schedule.

The Steps to Straightness Challenge has got your back with its audio lessons, all you need to do is plug in your earphones or speaker and let me guide you through your ride.

It’s time to get the most value out of what little ride time you have by getting lessons in your arena, on your schedule.

Ready to squeeze more progress out of your ride? 👇

https://dressagetogo.samcart.com/products/stepstostraightness

09/22/2024

Happy Spring Equinox for those in the southern hemisphere!
Begin to enjoy more light and warmth!

09/22/2024

Happy Autumn Equinox!
The days are getting shorter, the horses are getting furrier!