Kurd Albrecht von Ziegner has developed an indispensable tool for any horse person interested in riding and training horse for dressage, enventing or jumping. Elements of Dressage: A Guide for Training the Young Horse, was developed to help riders, trainers and judges understand what it takes to classically train a horse so it can succeed in any discipline.
In Elements of Dressage, K.A. von Ziegner presents the "Training Tree," a mnemonic diagram that is correct, and easy to remember and understand. It outlines the ten essential elements of classical basic training and shows how these conceptual elements are related and in what order they should be achieved.
From the Table of Contents they are:
- Collection
- Impulsion
- Suppleness
- Balance
- Straightness
- "On the Aids"
- Contact / Connection
- Freedom of Movement
- Regularity
- Relaxation
The author clearly explains how trainers and riders can apply dressage work gently and logically in order to develop a solid mental and physical foundation for any horse. This book will help riders and trainers in teaching a horse to be sound, confident and well prepared for work and competition at advanced levels for all areas of specialized training whether it be dressage, jumping, eventing, endurance or any other type of equestrian specialization.