Legacy Dressage Center

06/20/2025

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You are not the missed flying change.
You are not the wonky shoulder-in, the judge’s 5.5, or the test sheet that looks like it was edited by a disappointed English teacher.

You are more than your mistakes, more than your failings, your failures, or your “shortcomings” (which, let’s be honest, often just means your horse didn’t feel like pirouetting today).

Your goals, your scores, your outcomes — they are not your identity.
They are data points. Not definitions.

When we start measuring our worth in percentages or ribbons, we risk turning something soulful and nuanced into a performance review with hooves.

Because at the core of dressage isn’t perfection — it’s partnership.
It’s showing up, rain or shine, for a creature that doesn’t speak your language but somehow understands your soul.

So breathe. Laugh. Cry if you need to.
But remember: the arena doesn’t determine your value.
It reveals your willingness to keep learning, adjusting, and showing up with grace — even when your inside leg is ignored like a politely worded email.

You’re not just training a horse. You’re sculpting a deeper self.
And that… isn’t something you’ll find on a score sheet.

05/22/2025

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05/01/2025

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Horsemanship often comes down to the details. The image is a detail of a larger picture of a rider just riding along, not appearing to cue their horse for any purpose. The detail is of their foot position that is at an angle, not parallel to the horse's spine, which would be correct.

When I saw this rider's picture, the foot position stuck out because I constantly deal with the shoeless, bitless, bridleless folks who want to ban equipment as a solution to today's common quine abuse. As anyone who reads my page knows, I believe the solution is better horsemanship education. I have heard all the excuses, "There isn't time", "Competitors don't care about their horses, only about winning" and so on. But I blame the instructors or trainers who let the details slide. Correct foot position starts in a new rider's first lesson.

Even without spurs, a turned out toe puts the edge of the boot heel into a horse's side. This can create unwanted behaviors and if done constantly, you get a dead sided horse. Either way the horse suffers. Banning equipment will not overcome the problems of poor riding instruction. The decline of horsemanship will continue until riding instructors start doing a better job of teaching. It is really that simple.

04/14/2025

04/09/2025

100%

03/21/2025

When girthing up a horse, it’s important not to over-tighten the girth. An over-tightened girth may pinch or bruise the muscles, especially those in the chest (pectorals), the neck (trapezius), the side of the ribcage (serratus ventralis), and the lower back (latissimus dorsi), which are shown in red on the diagram bel. Similar to how a tight belt can cause discomfort or bruising in a human, an overly tight girth can cause soreness in these areas. It may also lead to bruising of the ribs and the intercostal muscles (the muscles between the ribs), restricting movement and causing pain. Additionally, the tightness will cause the saddle to put more pressure on the horse’s back muscles, leading to further discomfort.

Think of it like wearing a belt that’s too tight around your waist: it presses into your skin and muscles, causing discomfort, restricting movement, and potentially causing bruising. Just as you wouldn’t wear a belt so tight that it hurts, it’s crucial not to over-tighten the girth to avoid these issues for the horse. Always ensure the girth is snug, but not excessively tight, to keep the horse comfortable and prevent injury.

03/13/2025

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In dressage, as in life, mistakes are part of the journey. Training is not about perfection—it’s about progress. Every rider, no matter how skilled, has made errors along the way. What sets great horse riders apart is their willingness to learn from those mistakes and adjust.

Social media can make it seem like everyone else is achieving flawless rides, but remember: what you see online is often just the highlights, not the full story. Don’t let the pressure of appearing perfect keep you from admitting when something didn’t go right. True growth comes from acknowledging what went wrong, understanding why, and making the necessary changes.

Your horse doesn’t care about social media. They care about clarity, fairness, and consistency. So be honest with yourself, give yourself grace, and focus on what truly matters—building a harmonious partnership with your horse.

11/21/2024

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At first glance, we see the horse as a student.

In reality, the horse is the teacher.

The horse teaches us our limitations.
But, it also helps us overcome them.

The horse unveils our weaknesses.
But, it also helps us build new strengths.

The horse sees us at our worst.
But, it also helps us become our best.

The horse challenges us to be present.
But, it also makes us look forward to the future.

The horse demands a lot from us.
But, it also gives us more than we could ever return.

The horse is one of the greatest teachers we will ever have—if we allow ourselves to slow down long enough to be good students.

10/24/2024

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Klaus Balkenhol, the renowned dressage master. Shares several words of wisdom .

1. On horsemanship:
“Good riding is about doing as little as possible, but as much as necessary.”

2. On training:
“You cannot force a horse to do anything, but you can teach him through patience, consistency, and fairness.”

3. On respect for the horse:
“The horse is always willing to give us its best; it is our responsibility to treat it with the respect it deserves.”

4. On balance and harmony:
“Dressage is about harmony, not domination. The horse must be willing to offer you what you ask for without force.”

5. On a rider’s approach:
“True dressage is not just about technical skill; it’s about understanding the horse and building a partnership where you are both equal partners in the dance."