Today the Dressage Mentor Reunion starts at the horse show where I’ll critique the rides through headsets! Then on to more lessons, position analysis, EQui-Chi with Kris Garrett, and Thermography demo.

Sunday, we’re back at the horse show to critiques both rides and warm-ups. Then off to my farm for two more lessons (One with an Olympian who I’ve taught since she was a kid!), and then a saddle fitting demo with Jochen Schleese,

We’re having a blast at the Dressage Mentor Reunion in this 75 degree, sunny , Florida weather!!!!!!

The key here is to RETEST. Otherwise you’re just teaching your horse to go forward to the “correction” not from the light leg aid.

For more tips for training a Happy Horse, go to: www.janesavoie.com/happyhorse

Think about how relaxed you sit when you’re finished with your work. So, if you’re walking, and you feel like your horse is going to get tense or jig, sit in the same relaxed way. Say to yourself, “We’re done. We’re finished. Work is over.”

Inhale. Exhale. And dissolve into your horse’s back. If you sit with less positive tension or tone in your body, your horse can feel you relax and will mirror that.

Hosted by Jane Savoie

This DVD on How To Handle Shying helps you:

• Learn Why Horses Shy
• Understand The Dominant Eye
• Avoid Several Common Rider Mistakes
• Learn Simple Exercises to Help You Relax Both On And Off Your Horse
• Learn The Exact Aids For A Suppling Technique To Relax Your Spooky Horse
• Learn How To “Read Your Horse’s Ears” To Know When He’s About To Shy
• How To Gradually Introduce a “Scary Object”

http://www.youtube.com/user/janesavoie#p/u/0/Pmwilf0-xAs

For more information on how you can be trained on this tack or even become a certified EQ trainer yourself, go to: www.eqtrained.com

EQ – Equisense Systems unveils a revolution in equestrian sports at The World Equestrian Games, September 2010.

EQ Equisense Systems, Inc. will debut the most revolutionary equestrian training system in the industry at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky. Developed with three-time Olympic coach, Jane Savoie, and the world-renowned McPhail Equine Performance Center Institute, EQs line of products changes the face of equestrian sports forever.

Savoie says, “This exciting marriage of training and technology skyrockets a rider’s learning curve far beyond traditional teaching methods because it relies on science rather than subjective human analysis.”

EQ-Equisense training moves leaps beyond traditional horsemanship and delivers riders unprecedented tools and technology to improve their own skills and their horses’ training. The EQ motto is: If you can see, you can fix it. EQ helps you see it.

EQ is also launching EQ Live–the premier equestrian destination for riders in all disciplines and all levels of experience. With EQ Live, you can learn, compete, and connect with other people who are passionate about horses. With a range of iPhone apps, DVDs, and online riding simulations, you can tune up your skills day or night whether at your stable or in your living room.

EQ-Equisense will also debut the EQ – Nutrena Change Your Game feed selector. The selector allows horse owners to match the right feeding program with their horses’ nutritional needs. This state-of-the-art system is available in the Nutrena pavilion in the downtown area at the International Equestrian Festival as well as EQ’s booth at the Horse Park–Booth #610.

Special demonstrations will take place at EQ’s booth twice a day. This is the first time EQ-Equisense will demonstrate the system to the public, previously code named SSNP (Super Secret Ninja Project), EQ will be unveiled on Saturday September 25th. Participants can register online at www.eqtrained.com or sign up at booth #610. Four lucky riders will be chosen daily to be evaluated by the EQ team led by Jane Savoie.

The public is welcome to visit Booth #610 at the Horse Park where you’ll have a chance to meet Jane and enter to win a chance to be evaluated by Jane Savoie’s amazing team of clinical experts. Experience the most revolutionary advancement in the industry for diagnosing, evaluating, and improving your riding skills!

EQ Equisense is proud to announce our growing list of partners, Cetyl M and Fortiflex.

For press contacts:

Peter E Raymond
EQ Equisense Systems
646-867-0644
praymond@eqtrained.com

Peter and Billy are technical and product development geniuses and James is brilliant like a Good Will Hunting/Matt Damon kind of guy.

So look me up in the program under Jane Savoie at the Alltech World Equestrian Games 2010 this September. I’m in the Pavilion in Booth #610. You’re gonna be blown away by what we’ve created!!!!

I’ve been asked a lot recently about why riders have such a hard time keeping their heels down. A heel that is not “down” may not have anything to do with the heel itself, but rather the knee and the calf muscle.

Many times the heel is not down because the calf needs to be stretched. A soft calf allows for the heel to drop below the toe when the foot is resting on the stirrup bar.

When the heel is “down”, it drops just below the stirrup bar. The more important thing, however, is how FLEXIBLE the calf and ankle are and how they absorb the movement of the horse.

The ankle plays an important role in absorbing the movement of the horse under your body. It’s a shock absorber. If you have too much pressure on your toe, your calf muscle and knee are stiff and rigid.

On the other hand, if you force your heel too far down, the back of the calf and knee also becomes stiff. The front and back of your calf as well as your knee should feel soft and springy.

If you feel like your heel is up, chances are you’re gripping with your knee as well. You need to point your kneecap down to lengthen your thigh and drop the whole length of your leg.

The following is a simple exercise that will help stretch your calf to keep it soft and springy. Once you’ve found the correct place for your upper and lower leg around your horse, “anchor” that feeling both mentally and physically. Through anchoring, your muscle memory and subconscious mind take over and automatically make positive position corrections!

Step 1
Stand facing the wall about 3 feet away.

Step 2
Take 1 step forward with your left foot.

Step 3
Place your hands on the wall in front of you. Bend your elbows slightly. Point your shoulders, hips, and feet directly toward the wall.

Step 4
Bend your left knee slowly. Control the amount of stretch you feel in your right calf muscle. Both heels stay on the ground.

Step 5
Keep your right knee (back leg) straight, and hold still for 15 seconds.

Step 6
To stretch the other calf muscle (soleus) in the same leg, slowly bend your right knee, making sure to keep your right heel on the ground. Hold 15 seconds.

Step 7
Slowly push yourself back to starting position.

Step 8
Switch legs. Repeat both the straight knee and bent knee stretches on the other leg to completely stretch your calf.

Attached are a few images that will help you visualize your new position!

Now that the physical side of training your body so you can keep your heels down when horseback riding has begun, it’s time to begin the mental training and conditioning. Look for more information on your mental training at www.programyourposition.com

1. Is he going too fast or too slowly?
2. Is his neck too high or too low?
3. Is his frame too open or too closed?
4. Am I asking too much?

If you’re not sure what the problem is, adjust one of the 4 things above to see if that helps your dressage horse.

There’s no obligation to be put on the list to get more information.