Danica Yates: Articles by Danica

http://hubpages.com/hub/Helmets-for-Sporthorse-Riders

Helmets are currently a hot topic among dressage riders nationwide. Here is my opinion and other’s about wearing that brain bucket every ride, every time. (PDF Format)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Suppleness

Longitudinal Suppleness refers to the relaxation in a horses toppling back to front which affects his ability to swing in his back and engage his hind end.  All horses can benefit from these exercises focused around stretching and transitions to promote longitudinal suppleness. (PDF Format)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Finding-the-Right-Match

Finding the right horse to buy can be a difficult and involved task. You are never guaranteed that you will find the right match but some things to consider are confirmation, movement and suitability for the job and rider. (PDF Format)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Flying-Changes

The flying lead change is an animated, iconic movement of classical dressage. It can be a tricky movement because it requires precise balance and timing. Let’s discuss good preparation for the change, the steps of executing the change and tips on practicing changes. [PDF Format]

http://hubpages.com/hub/Walk-Breaks

The significance of taking walk breaks can often be overlooked in the process of training sporthorses. However, walk breaks can be used as a valuable training tool both mentally and physically. Read on to learn about timing and techniques of walking. (PDF Format)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Bend-in-the-Half-Pass

To ride dressage half passes, the horse must be balanced with half halts, activated with the leg and bent in the direction of travel.  This article discusses these elements and offers some exercises to get you on track with the half pass movement. (PDF format)

http://hubpages.com/hub/Western-to-Dressage

Do you have experience with western riding in your background and would like to learn more about dressage? Perhaps you know someone in this catagory that may want some tips. This month's article discusses two major differences between the disciplines - contact and impulsion- and how to start working on these basic principles of dressage.

http://hubpages.com/hub/StretchingTrot

Last month we touched on stretching a horse over his topline as an important technique for encouraging free movement under saddle. Let’s take a closer look at this technique as it is incorporated into dressage tests.

http://hubpages.com/hub/freemovement 

Rider’s often forget to ride ‘back to front,’ using too much hand and forgetting the hind end. To maintain a horse’s natural movement and optimize physical and mental health, the hand must be forgiving. To read more, open the article!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Ride-Forward--Think-Wait
When riding down to a fence, our horses must be moving forward in front of our leg, but our minds and bodies must not get in a hurry and rush the fence. This article talks about how to create the balanced feeling of our horse moving forward but our bodies feeling ‘wait.’

http://hubpages.com/hub/Riding-the-Line
This month’s article discusses riding the horse between your hand and leg, monitoring the energy and step when jumping. When the horse is balanced on an even step, and the rider focuses on riding the line of the course, the jumps themselves ‘just get in the way.’

http://hubpages.com/hub/bending
Our horses must bend to the inside with an arc in their entire body. Learn how to ride inside leg to outside rein for optimal balance and softness in bending.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Sensitivity-to-the-Leg
We want our horses to be responsive and sensitive to the leg. Proper technique with the leg aid creates proper reactions from the horse. With the leg aid, we close the leg, bump with the leg or sometimes spur or tap to create forward, collecting or sideways reactions.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Quiet-Hands
We soften, half halt, support with, play the reins. What is all this and how do we create an even steady feel in riding dressage? Here is an article that touches on these techniques.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Pet-Him--Dressage
Informational article on how to use the technique of petting your horse to maintain self carriage, engagement of the hind quarters and true throughness.