Table of Contents

Introduction - How to use this book The basic position - Alignment The essential connection - The seatbones Sitting still in the saddle - Plugging in Security, strength and power - Bear down Breathing - How to bear down and breathe Firming up the body - Muscle tone, and the learning process Sitting lightly - Supporting your own bodyweight Using the back - Narrowness (the pinch) Turns and circles demystified - An introduction to steering Leg, leg, leg? - Lower legs, the physical challenge Discovering a contact - Contact and the walk/halt transitions An independant seat - Matching the forces acting on your body On the bit? - Shaping the horse The rider/horse partnership - An overview of the interaction Resources Glossary Index

About the Author

Mary Wanless is an internationally renowned coach, and the author of the highly successful Ride with Your Mind, For the Good of the Rider, For the Good of the Horse and Ride with Your Mind Essentials. She has also authored 12 DVDs. She coaches riders at all levels, from relative novices to elite riders, including some who have competed at the highest levels of international competition. She has BSc degrees in both Physics and Applied Sports Coaching, holds the BHSI certificate and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Art, Manufactures and Commerce.