To help you stay stable in the saddle while still allowing for your horse’s movement …

When you sit on your horse, imagine that you are the center tower of a suspension bridge. You have cables that stretch both forward and backward to various points on your horse’s topline that allow for movement between you and the cables. This helps to create balance, self-carriage and collection in your horse while you remain stable in the saddle.

Illustration by Sandy Rabinowitz

Stephany Fish Crossman is a U.S. Dressage Federation bronze and silver medalist as well as one of only nine accredited coaches for Mary Wanless’ Ride With Your Mind Biomechanics System in the U.S. She currently is based in Okeechobee, Florida. 

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Practical Horseman.