Education

Dressage Training: Inside Leg to Outside Rein-- Unpopular Opinion 😱

Crystal Forsell

Aug 62 min read

Dressage Training: Inside Leg to Outside Rein-- Unpopular Opinion 😱

Ok, I’m going to jump on my soap box for a hot minute. Unpopular opinion here: inside leg to outside rein is not the gospel, magic...

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Dressage Showing Collective Remarks: Rider Position

Crystal Forsell

May 282 min read

Dressage Showing Collective Remarks: Rider Position

This is so important because it can let the rider know when they are presenting the horse well, or part of the problem.

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Collective Remarks: Impulsion = Energy and Carrying Power! 💪

Crystal Forsell

May 142 min read

Collective Remarks: Impulsion = Energy and Carrying Power! 💪

Some visual indicators of having good impulsion are the flexion of the grounded hind leg, lowering of the croup (which in turn the whither w

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Collectives Remarks on Your Dressage Test: Gaits

Crystal Forsell

Apr 212 min read

Collectives Remarks on Your Dressage Test: Gaits

The gait score is important because it can tell you if there is a problem with a gait, which can indicate a hole in your training.

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Dressage Levels Explained: Training Level

Crystal Forsell

Feb 121 min read

Dressage Levels Explained: Training Level

As written on the USDF tests the purpose of training level is: “To confirm that the horse demonstrates correct basics, by showing...

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Crystal Forsell

Feb 122 min read

Dressage Levels Explained: Introductory

If you are new to dressage or showing, I’d love to bring some clarity to the different levels for you. I’ll break it down into a new...

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There Was A Crooked Horse... Goals for a Straight and Sound Dressage Horse

Crystal Forsell

Jul 20, 20231 min read

There Was A Crooked Horse... Goals for a Straight and Sound Dressage Horse

Unwinding the crooked horse for straightness and soundness

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How to track your horse’s progress– tips for photographing your horse

Crystal Forsell

May 16, 20232 min read

How to track your horse’s progress– tips for photographing your horse

Tracking your horse's progress with photos. Tips for taking good photographs.

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Relaxation in Dressage Horse, Rhythm v. Relaxation: The chicken or the egg?

Crystal Forsell

May 9, 20233 min read

Relaxation in Dressage Horse, Rhythm v. Relaxation: The chicken or the egg?

Which is most important for riding, rhythm or relaxation?

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Train and Restore Workshop -- Masterson Method and Equine Posture

Crystal Forsell

Apr 25, 20233 min read

Train and Restore Workshop -- Masterson Method and Equine Posture

Recap of a weekend of learning equine bodywork and posture.

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Crystal Forsell

Jan 6, 20231 min read

Quick Riding Position Tips

Quick tips for your equitation and horse back riding position you can do yourself.

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Crystal Forsell

Dec 8, 20221 min read

Riding Position Checklist

Do you have a checklist for your horseback riding position? Here are ideas for creating your own dressage riding position list.

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Crystal Forsell

Oct 1, 20222 min read

Tips for body clipping your horse

Top tips for an expert clip job on your horse!

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Crystal Forsell

May 20, 20221 min read

Understanding Asymmetry in Your Horse

Appreciate your horse's asymmetry through your own.

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Allowing Your Horse to Flow with Your Intentions

Crystal Forsell

Dec 6, 20212 min read

Allowing Your Horse to Flow with Your Intentions

In my training I always try to show the horse what I want, not what not to do. Same with small kids, if they are doing something you...

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Crystal Forsell

Sep 14, 20212 min read

The Magic in Letting Go

Let it go! Let it go! And by “it” I mean your horse’s face. I see and feel more results in the let go part of the aid than I do the...

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Crystal Forsell

Sep 3, 20212 min read

The Question of Spurs

How to use spurs and how not to.

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Crystal Forsell

Jun 9, 20201 min read

Decoding your Dressage Test

Why the negative comment on a 7 or higher? When I first started showing, I didn’t understand why sometimes I would get a negative comment...

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Crystal Forsell

Aug 31, 20191 min read

Creating Symmetry in Your Horse #1

In my Facebook Group, Open Minds Dressage (check it out, all riders welcome), We recently began a group challenge with three exercises to...

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Crystal Forsell

May 2, 20192 min read

Decoding Your Horse's Face

Have you ever noticed the little nuances in your horse's face? Your horse could be revealing important information about himself. ...

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Crystal Forsell

Dressage and Horsemanship

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