Loch demonstrates her keen insight into the relationship of horse and rider in this concise, easy to understand guide to classical riding. Written for riders across the spectrum of skill and experience, this book is an invaluable tool for those who wish to improve their own and their horses' performance and experience.

A down-to-earth guide explaining how to break in a riding horse.

How to Understand Your Horse to Become a Better Rider To move in harmony with a horse, you must first understand the animal's mind and develop a deep appreciation for its natural movement. In The Classical Rider, celebrated equestrian author Sylvia Loch unlocks the history and philosophy of classical riding, explaining the anatomy, physiology, and psychology of the horse to its rider. Equal parts instructional guide, sports history lesson, and spiritual meditation, this classic manual conveys important dressage concepts to help you find the proper balance and body position with clearly illustrated techniques and visualizations. More than a standard how-to manual, with easy and accessible prose, Loch presents memoir-style stories and anecdotes from her own equestrian experiences. Drawing upon her ten years spent in Portugal and Great Britain, as well as colorful lessons learned from years of teaching, she makes it clear that to become a better rider, you must consider the anatomy and physiology of the horse, how they move, and how they think. She reveals how a horse's movements relate to and express the laws of nature. The possibilities of better communication with horses have spiritual overtones for Loch as well, who considers the horse a beautiful creation and gift from God. This book is a your key resource to improve your riding and establish a stronger connection with your horse. Written for all levels of rider, reading The Classical Rider is like getting your own personal riding lesson. Equestrians of all levels will also enjoy reading Sylvia Loch's other books, such as Invisible Riding, The Royal Horse of Europe, Dressage in Lightness, The Classical Seat, and Dressage: The Art of Classical Riding.

Riding in Release considers the relationship between two significant traditions of riding and horse training – The French Classical School and horsemanship born out of the Vaquero and Buckeroo lineage. Both traditions are founded on the development of a partnership with a horse, which enables lightness of foot and thought. This book provides useful insights for riders of all levels – whether you want to hack out in harmony or improve your half pass – with clear, practical, step-by-step instructions and advice. Topics covered include: consideration of the similarities of the traditions and why this is useful for modern riders to understand; how horses move, think and feel, and how this knowledge is useful to us; foundational handling up to high school – common themes; the human side of the partnership – how to make sense to our horse and be someone he wants to learn from and how to help our horse develop a greater ease of movement without the use of gadgets or force. There are detailed explanations of straightness, balance and dynamic posture along with step-by-step guidance on teaching 'the language of the aids'; tapping into your horse's amazing capacity to learn. Finally, the development of good feeling between you and your horse, through logical application that respects a horse's emotional life as well as his physical body is covered.